Brenden Ferland

Professional Summary

PhD student in UConn's Polymer Program developing graphene-polymer composites for sensing and environmental remediation. My work in the Adamson Lab turns abundant raw materials into functional solutions: foams that heat, membranes that filter, sensors that respond. I use Python and Claude Code to move faster from synthesis to insight. Inefficiency bothers me, so I automate what I can.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Polymer Science August 2022 - August 2027 (Expected)

University of Connecticut, Polymer Program

Bachelor of Science (BS), Biochemistry 2017 - 2019

Central Connecticut State University

Experience

Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant August 2022 - Present

UConn Institute of Materials Science

Conducting research on graphene-based polymer composites in the Adamson Lab, focusing on developing advanced materials for sensing, environmental remediation, and analytical testing
Coded Python scripts to automate lab processes and control instrumentation (Keithley 2400, analytical balance, etc)
TA for Polymer Characterization II (Spring 2024): taught GPC and NMR techniques, graded lab reports, mentored students
Served as Brand & Data Manager: designed group logo, managed social media presence, and redesigned the Adamson Lab website

Organic Chemistry Lab Lead June 2022 - August 2022

AltaSci Labs

Optimized cannabinoid extraction method from 90→30 minutes through rigorous scientific study, validated to ICH Q2R standards
Authored SOPs documenting method improvements for regulatory compliance
Streamlined data processing through VBA scripts, reducing turnaround times by >80%
Performed full HPLC maintenance: piston seals, valves, flow cells, deuterium lamps, columns
Reduced consumables costs by over 70% through value-driven sourcing

Selected Publications

Interfacial Self-Assembly of Graphene Networks at 1 vol% Enables Piezoresistive and Electrothermal Silicone Foams

Ferland, B.; Adamson, D. H.

ChemRxiv (Preprint), Jan 2026

Depletion effect during the synthesis of conductive graphene-based polymer composites

Umaiya, K.; Ferland, B.; Adamson, D. H.

SSRN (Preprint), Dec 2025

Moisture-driven electric power generation using graphene-based hydrogels for sustained power output and self-powered sensing

Bandara, N. M.; Liu, J.; Ferland, B.; Mahmoudi, M.; Adamson, D. H.

ChemRxiv (Preprint), Oct 2025

Recent Presentations

Solvent Interface Trapping: A Versatile Platform for Functional Graphene Composites 2025 NERPG Fall Technical Meeting

Self-assembled graphene-silicone networks for responsive sensing and smart materials ACS Fall 2025, Washington D.C.

Ohm My Graphene! Silicone-Graphene Foams as Heatable Sorbents & Sensors RT Major Symposium 2025

Technical Skills

Analytical

HPLC-DAD, LC-MS/MS, GPC, NMR, Raman, TGA/DSC, SEM, UV-Vis

Materials

Graphene Exfoliation, Polymer Composites, Silicone Chemistry, Interfacial Polymerization

Software

Python, Lab Automation, Git, Arduino, ImageJ/Fiji

Leadership

President & Founder, ACS Rubber Division UConn Chapter November 2024 - August 2026

Senator, Society of Plastics Engineers UConn Chapter August 2023 - August 2026

Awards

Rubber Division, ACS Global Polymer Summit Student Initiative Award Rubber Division, ACS, 2025

SPE Connecticut Section Scholarship Society of Plastics Engineers, 2023, 2024