Prateek Verma

PhD. Machine Learning Scientist.

forward_to_inboxprateek@uark.edu

deviceswww.prateekverma.com

call+1 5014006833

Machine learning scientist with cross-functional academic and industrial expertise in chemicals, materials, health, and environment. My key strengths lie in visionary and complex problem solving, leadership, and research advising.

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology / 2011 – 2015

PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, GPA 4.0 / 4.0

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee / 2006 – 2011

BS and MS, Polymer Science and Technology, GPA 8.5 / 10.0

Experience

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Manager, Data Science Core, University of Arkansas

Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) / 2023 – present

  • Evaluation, fine-tuning, and prompt engineering of large (vision) language models (LLMs) using multimodal data
  • Machine learning algorithms focused on multi-omic & medical research
  • Serving 50+ researchers with their data science and machine learning needs
  • Managing high-performance computing and data-storage servers

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Arkansas

Nayani, Nakarmi and Wu groups / 2021 – 2023

  • Built an end-to-end CNN ML pipeline for scientific images
  • Built graph and generative algorithms for molecular discovery and finding functional groups on molecules and macromolecules
  • Applications: predicting onset of diseases, sensors for bacteria and viruses, drug and molecular design, medical diagnosis

Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology

Shofner and Russo groups / 2018 – 2021

  • Developed multivariable deep neural network regression to split, interpolate, and predict total signal into constituents
  • Developed CNN and regression algorithms for noise detection in signals
  • ML applications: Extract pollution composition (expensive measurement) from total PM2.5 (inexpensive) data; noise detection in light scattering data
  • Fabricated metamaterial composites using tensegrity/auxetic approaches
  • Executive Director for OPALL (Open Polymer Active Learning Laboratory)
20 papers published/submitted 13 first-author papers published/in-progress 21 conference presentations 7 leadership roles 14 classes taught

Research advisor

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for 17 industry members / graduates / undergraduates in the following broad areas

escalator_warningsupervised & unsupervised learning

calendar_view_dayconvolutional neural networks

routemachine learning for molecules

view_in_arauxetics and metamaterials

hdr_weakstructure-property relationships

*direct supervisor for 14

Mentorship

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Served as a mentor for Mentor Jackets, MSE Industry Mentoring and IITR's Alumni Mentorship Program since 2016.

9 Bachelor's students

7 Doctoral students

2 Master's students

Diversity

Percentage of the total 35 advised or mentored

49% women

15% hispanics & latinos

09% african americans

46% internationals

20% first-gen college goers

Honors & Awards

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2024NISBRE Merit Awardee

2021Lead scientist on $300,000 award

2021MSE 5 year mentorship award

2019Hightower Fellow, OPALL

Experience (continued)

Senior Coating Chemist, Kimoto Tech

2016 – 2018

  • Team leader for 5 R&D chemists
  • Led scale-up and production of 15+ lab-to-market products
  • Development of flexible & protective coatings, conductive coatings, and pressure sensitive adhesives

PhD candidate, Georgia Institute of Technology

Griffin and Shofner groups / 2011 – 2015

  • Synthesized intrinsically auxetic liquid crystal elastomers
  • Developed protocols for accurately measuring Poisson’s ratio
  • Developed a new method to induce auxetic properties in nonwovens
  • Modeled processing-structure-property relations for auxetic behavior in fiber networks

Research Assistant (Master's), University of Akron

Karim group / 2011

  • Developed a buckling-based metrology to determine strength of thin films
  • Prepared and tested strength of polymer-blend films used in tissue engineering

Summer Intern, University of Massachusetts Amherst

McCarthy group / 2010

  • Synthesized uniformly sized silica nanoparticles for composite applications
  • Created super-hydrophobic surfaces using silanes; synthesized cross-linked silicones

Summer Intern, University of Minnesota

Barocas group / 2009

  • Synthesized epoxy networks to study flow through kidney membranes
  • Synthesized and characterized collagen gels for tissue engineering

Publications

In the list of 25 total, 20 are published or submitted and 13 are first-author papers (Google Scholar link)

  1. P Verma, MH Van, X Wu; Beyond human vision: The role of large vision language models in microscope image analysis; IEEE BigData; 2024; (accepted) link
  2. K Copenhaver, S Pennell, S Jain, PS Russo, P Verma; Classic Ubbelöhde intrinsic viscosity laboratory exercise made simple and fast; Journal of Chemical Education; 2024 link
  3. P Verma, E Adeogun, ES Greene, S Dridi, U Nakarmi, et al.; Machine-learning based sensing of heat-stress in organisms; RSC Sensors & Diagnostics; 2024 link
  4. X Fang, X Wu, Q Kang, ..., P Verma, et al.; Atomistic analysis on implantation effects of hydrogen ions and copper ions into 4H-SiC; Applied Surface Science (IF=6.2); 665; 2024 link
  5. MH Van, P Verma, X Wu; On large visual language models for medical imaging analysis: an empirical study; IEEE/ACM CHASE; 2024 link
  6. D Ansari, P Verma, T Ansari; Promise of machine learning techniques towards retrieving aerosol chemical composition from temporal variations of total PM mass concentrations; Journal of Research in Atmospheric Science; 5-1; 2023 link
  1. CW Irvin, CC Satam, K Shial, P Verma, NB Arroyo, et al.; Tricomponent polymer aerogels containing cellulose nanocrystals and chitin nanofibers and their use in aerogel/hydrogel hybrids as fibrocartilage replacements; Journal of Applied Polymer Science; 2023 link
  2. X Fang, H Sun, C Wu, ..., P Verma, et al.; Ag nanoparticle-thiolated chitosan composite coating reinforced by Ag–S covalent bonds with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding and Joule heating performances; ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (IF=10.4); 2023 link
  3. P Verma, KB Wagner, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Reversibility of auxetic response in polyester fiber needle-punched nonwovens; Physica Status Solidi B; 2022 link
  4. H Sun, X Fang, Z Fang, ..., P Verma, et al.; An ultra-sensitive and stretchable strain sensor based on micro-crack structure for motion monitoring; Micro Nano (Nature) (IF=8.1); 8 (111); 2022 link
  5. P Verma, C Smith, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Towards textile metamaterials: A pathway to auxeticity and tensegrity in a needle-punched nonwoven stiff felt; Materials Advances (RSC) (IF=5.0); 2022 link
  6. Q Kang, X Fang, C Wu, P Verma, H Sun, et al.; Improvement mechanism of brittle-plastic transition and residual stress in scratching 4H–SiC implanted by hydrogen ions; Ceramics International (IF=5.2); 2022 link
  7. P Verma, C Smith, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Corrigendum: Wool nonwovens as candidates for commodity auxetic materials; Engineering Research Express; 4 029501; 2022 link
  8. Q Kang, X Fang, C Wu, P Verma, H Sun, et al.; Mechanical properties and indentation-induced phase transformation in 4H–SiC implanted by hydrogen ions; Ceramics International (IF=5.2); 2022 link
  9. P Verma, C Smith, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Wool nonwovens as candidates for commodity auxetic materials; Engineering Research Express; 2 (4); 2021 link
  10. P Verma, C He, AC Griffin; Implications for auxetic response in liquid crystalline polymers; Physica Status Solidi B; 2000261; 2020; (appeared in Wiley's 'Hot Topics: Liquid Crystals') link
  11. N Jappar, P Verma, J Holmes; Development of functional films in roll-to-roll manufacturing; RadTech; 2018; (conference paper) link
  12. P Verma, ML Shofner, A Lin, KB Wagner, AC Griffin; Induction of auxetic response in needle-punched nonwovens: Effects of temperature, pressure and time; Physica Status Solidi B; 253 (7); 2016 link
  13. P Verma, ML Shofner, A Lin, KB Wagner, AC Griffin; Inducing out-of-plane auxetic behavior in needle-punched nonwovens; Physica Status Solidi B; 252 (7); 2015 link
  14. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Deconstructing the auxetic behavior of paper; Physica Status Solidi B; 251 (2); 2013 link

Submitting next

  1. P Verma, U Nakarmi, K Nayani; Transformer and CNN based machine learning approaches to ligand discovery for viral purification; 2024
  2. P Verma, U Nakarmi, K Nayani; A new deep-learning approach for drug-like molecular classification and regression; 2024
  3. P Verma, DN Ansari, TU Ansari; Deep learning algorithms for extraction of aerosol chemical composition from temporal variations of total PM mass; 2024

Presentations

Speakers are italicized

  1. P Verma, MH Van, X Wu; Evaluation of large vision language models on scientific images; Washington DC (USA); 2024 link
  2. P Verma, E Adeogun, ES Greene, S Dridi, U Nakarmi, et al.; CNN based rapid sensing of heat-stress in organisms; Orlando (USA); 2023 link
  3. P Verma, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Pathways to manufacturing mechanical metamaterials by examining auxeticity in nonwoven fiber networks; Atlanta (USA); 2023; (Invited talk) link
  4. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Pathways to Commodity Mechanical Metamaterials – Auxeticity in Nonwoven Fiber Networks; College Station (USA); 2022; (Invited talk) link
  5. P Verma, AC Griffin, ML Shofner; Nonwoven textile structures – commodity pathways to auxeticity; Chicago (USA); 2022 link
  6. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Constructing out-of-plane auxetic response in paper; Denver (USA); 65 (1); 2020 link
  7. P Verma; Career pathways for polymer science students: industry vs higher education; Roorkee (India); 2020; (Invited talk)
  8. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Auxetic behavior in fiber networks; San Diego (USA); 258; 2019 link
  1. PS Russo, X Zhang, P Verma, P Balding, G Parkinson, et al.; OPALL: The open polymer active learning laboratory at Georgia Tech; Orlando (USA); 257; 2019
  2. P Verma, C He, AC Griffin; X-ray scattering from LC polymers: Implications for auxetic response; Bedlewo (Poland); 2019 link
  3. P Verma, KB Wagner, A Lin, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Auxetic behavior in paper and nonwovens; Oak Ridge (USA); 2019
  4. P Russo, P Verma, X Zhang et. al.; Open polymer active learning laboratory; Oak Ridge (USA); 2019; (poster)
  5. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Origin of thickness change in needle-punched nonwovens; Sheffield (USA); 2018 link
  6. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Auxetic behavior of fiber networks: Paper and nonwoven fabrics; Lake Louise (Canada); 2017 link
  7. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Reversibility of thickness change in nonwovens; Crete (Greece); 2017 link
  8. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Auxetic liquid crystalline polymers; Crete (Greece); 2017 link
  9. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Reversibility of thickness change in nonwovens; Poznan (Poland); 2016
  10. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Inducing out-of-plane auxetic behavior in needle-punched nonwovens; Poznan (Poland); 2014 link
  11. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Auxetic behavior in cellulose based fiber networks; New Orleans (USA); 2013
  12. H Yuan, J Marszalek-Kempke, P Verma, A Karim; Elastic moduli of polymeric thin films of nanocomposites and blends via buckling on elastomeric substrates; Boston (USA); 57 (1); 2012 link
  13. P Verma, ML Shofner, AC Griffin; Deconstructing the auxetic behavior of paper; Bolton (UK); 2012

Honors and awards

  1. Selected for National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NISBRE) Conference Merit Award / U Arkansas / 2024
  2. Postdoctoral Fellowship (including USDA $300,000 grant to PI for my work) / U Arkansas / 2021 – 2023
  3. 5 year GT MSE mentorship award / Georgia Tech / 2021
  4. Invited talk & career counselling for polymer graduates and undergraduates / IIT Roorkee / 2020
  5. Executive Director, OPALL (Open Polymer Active Learning Laboratory) / Georgia Tech / 2019 – 2021
  6. Hightower Fellow, OPALL (Open Polymer Active Learning Laboratory) / Georgia Tech / 2019 – 2021
  7. Postdoctoral Fellowship, from Renewable Bioresources Institute / Georgia Tech / 2018 – 2020
  8. Chairman, Technical Conference / Kimoto Tech / 2017
  9. Second prize, poster competition (auxetic conference) / Georgia Tech / 2014
  10. PhD Fellowship, from Institute of Paper Science and Technology / Georgia Tech / 2012 – 2015
  11. Chairman, National Polymer Conference, Cognizance / IIT Roorkee / 2009
  12. Merit-based scholarship with tuition waiver / IIT Roorkee / 2007 – 2011

Leadership

  1. DEI council representative for research scientists and postdocs in the department / Georgia Tech / 2019 – 2021
  2. Co-launched, Postdoc Chats, series of social and professional development gatherings for postdocs campuswide / Georgia Tech / 2019 – 2023
  3. Advisor, to graduate and undergraduate members and users, OPALL Polymer Makerspace / Georgia Tech / 2019 – 2022
  4. Team Leader, for 5+ industry research scientists / Kimoto Tech / 2016 – 2018
  5. Co-manager, Polymer Thermal Analysis Lab / Georgia Tech / 2013 – 2015
  6. Student President (elected, Saharanpur Campus) / IIT Roorkee / 2008 – 2009
  7. Founder and Team Leader, intranet web development / IIT Roorkee / 2007 – 2010

Research funding

Contributed to the planning, writing, editing and/or review of the following research funding proposals.

  1. Developing liquid crystal based rapid optical sensors for detecting airborne viruses with SARS-CoV-2 and alpha-coronaviruses, NSF PIPP, PI: K Nayani, 2021
  2. Awarded, Imaging and quantification of mitochondrial dynamics in response to mechanical stress, AIMRC, PI: K Nayani, 2021
  3. Development of liquid crystal based wearable sensors for detecting airborne coronaviruses, PEW Biomedical, PI: K Nayani, 2021
  4. Purification and rapid assessment of filled adeno-associated viral vectors, MAST UCRC, PI: K Nayani, 2021
  5. Awarded, Development of convolutional neural networks that connect molecular signatures to rapid optical readouts on the health of chickens, USDA NIFA, PI: K Nayani, 2020
  6. Zero-angle depolarized scattering (ZADS) and data analytics to determine molecular weight distributions of conjugated polymers, DOE FOA, PI: PS Russo, 2020
  7. Awarded, Open Polymer Active Learning Laboratory: enhancing Georgia Tech’s polymer profile in the residential higher-educational institution of tomorrow, GT COE, PI: PS Russo, 2020

Research advising

Direct supervisor for members marked with an * . Last name has been hidden for the sake of privacy online.

Name
Topic
Year
Journey
Sydnee*
Molecular discovery using machine learning
2022 – present
Senior (University of Arkansas)
Honglin
Machine learning models for noise detection in light scattering data
2021 – 2022
PhD candidate (Georgia Tech)
Evan*
Building custom convolutional neural networks
2021 – 2021
Sophomore (University of Arkansas)
Brandon
Isothermal titration calorimetry
2021 – 2022
Junior (University of Arkansas)
Lauren*
Nanocellulose dispersion and auxetic composites
2019 – 2020
Freshman (Georgia Tech)
Marilyn*
Polyurethane and silicone auxetic composites
2019 – 2020
Sophomore (Georgia Tech)
Casey*
Auxetic behavior in wool and stiff-felt fabrics
2018 – 2019
Senior > PhD candidate (Georgia Tech)
Daniel*
Gloss and haze control in coatings
2017 – 2018
Formulations Chemist (Kimoto Tech) > Development Chemist (Birla Carbon)
Carly*
Color correcting coatings for electronic displays
2017 – 2018
R&D Chemist (Kimoto Tech) >>> Data Scientist (Takeda Pharmaceuticals)
Joseph*
Anti-glare and anti-sparkle coatings for touch screens
2016 – 2018
R&D chemist (Kimoto Tech)
Thomas*
Protective hardcoats with adhesive backings
2016 – 2018
R&D Chemist (Kimoto Tech) > Formulation Scientist (Meggit Aerospace)
Jennifer*
Silicone pressure sensitive adhesives
2016 – 2017
R&D Chemist (Kimoto Tech) >>> Associate Senior Scientist (Pharmaceutical Associates Inc)
Stephen*
Antiglare, but also high-clarity, coatings
2016 – 2018
R&D Chemist (Kimoto Tech)
Karla*
Auxetic behavior in needle-punched nonwovens
2013 – 2014
Sophomore > PhD candidate (Georgia Tech)
Tony*
Measurement of auxetic responses
2013 – 2014
Sophomore (Georgia Tech) > PhD candidate (MIT)
Emily
Cellulose and PVA based nanocomposites
2013 – 2015
Junior >>> Senior Engineer (Exponent)
CJ*
Auxetic response of paper
2012 – 2012
Sophomore (Georgia Tech) > Vice President (Electrical Cable Specialists)

Teaching experience

Year
Course
School
Topic
2024
AIMRC
U Arkansas
As Data Science Core Manager / Hands-on workshops on (1) high-performance computing, (2) deep-learning in bioimaging, and (3) large language models
2022
CSCE 4013
U Arkansas
Guest lecturer / Introduction to CNNs
2020
MSE 4476
Georgia Tech
Guest lecturer / Thermal analysis of polymers
2019
MSE 4476
Georgia Tech
Guest lecturer / Mechanical properties of polymers
2019
MSE 4476 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Guest instructor / DSC and TGA of polymers
2019
MSE 3225 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Guest instructor / Rheology of detergent
2019
MSE 3225
Georgia Tech
Guest lecturer / Polymer rheology
2015
MSE 4476 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / DSC and TGA of polymers
2014
MSE 4476 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Step, chain-growth, and emulsion polymerization
2014
MSE 3720
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Introduction to polymer/fiber enterprise
2014
MSE 4022 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Thermal analysis, processing and rheology of polymers
2013
MSE 4476 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Step, chain-growth, and emulsion polymerization
2013
MSE 4022 (lab)
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Thermal analysis, processing and rheology of polymers
2012
MSE 1111
Georgia Tech
Teaching Assistant / Introduction to materials science and engineering

Mentorship

Serving as a mentor for GT Mentor Jackets, GT MSE Industry Mentorship Program and IITR Alumni Mentorship Program. Last name has been hidden for the sake of privacy online.

Name
Year
Journey
Jaejung
2021 – 2022
Sophomore (Georgia Tech)
Tanmay
2020 – 2021
Sophomore (IIT Roorkee)
Nadia
2019 – 2021
Junior (Georgia Tech) > PhD candidate (MIT)
Steven
2019 – 2021
Senior > Master's student (Georgia Tech)
Dillan
2018 – 2019
Senior (Georgia Tech) > Engineer (Universal Alloy)
Michael
2017 – 2018
Freshman (Georgia Tech) > Intern (Lockheed Martin Space)
Amanda
2017 – 2018
Senior (Georgia Tech) > QA Coordinator (ALPLA Group)
Ankit
2016 – 2017
Freshman (Georgia Tech) > PhD candidate (UC Los Angeles)
Sabrina
2016 – 2017
Sophomore (Georgia Tech) > Senior Quality Engineer (Mainstay Medical)
Jude
2022 – present
PhD candidate (U Arkansas)
Elizabeth
2021 – present
PhD candidate (U Arkansas)
Homa
2021 – present
PhD candidate (U Arkansas)
Krishna
2019 – 2020
PhD candidate (Georgia Tech)
Hongmo
2017 – 2018
PhD candidate (Georgia Tech)
Sahitya
2017 – 2018
PhD student (Georgia Tech) > Process Engineer (Intel Corporation)
Helen
2016 – 2017
PhD student (Georgia Tech) > Process Engineer (Intel Corporation)
Pragya
2021 – 2021
Master's student (IIT Roorkee)
Ada
2018 – 2021
Master's student (Georgia Tech) > Senior Research Associate (Tessera Therapeutics)

Skillsets

Machine Learning

large language models
vision language models
graph neural networks
chemical informatics
ML pipelines
RESNET
support vector machines
k-Means clustering
convolutional neural networks
image preprocessing
logistic regression
linear regression

Computer languages

Python
JavaScript
MATLAB
PHP
SQL
C/C++

Computational

BioPython
Django
RDKit
Pandas
Tensorflow & PyTorch
Numpy
Scikit
Matplotlib
LAMMPS
AWS
MATLAB
MySQL

Chemistry

polyurethane synthesis
thermal & UV curing
LCE synthesis
FR polymerization
silanes & silicones

Materials

liquid crystals
polymer processing
viscoelasticity
auxetics
metamaterials
biopolymers
nanotechnology
characterization
structure-property relationships
thermal analysis

Industry

adhesives
process development
chemical mixing
chemical formulations
protective coatings
scale-up operations
thermal & UV curing

Interpersonal

DEI
mentoring
research advising
leadership
team building
teaching
illustration

Lab Techniques

Isothermal titration calorimetry
environmental testing
electron microscopy
FTIR
micro-CT
viscometry
AFM
DSC, TGA, DMA
mechanical testing

Scientific reviewing

Reviewed 34 manuscripts for the following select journals:
  • Advanced Materials Technologies (Wiley)
  • Computational Materials Science (Elsevier)
  • Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (ACS)
  • International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications (Microsoft)
  • Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics (Sage)
  • Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering (IOP)
  • Journal of Rheology (AIP)
  • Materials Research Express (IOP)
  • Nanotechnology (IOP)
  • Nature Computational Science
  • Physica Status Solidi (Wiley)
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
  • Surface and Coatings Technology (Elsevier)

Extracurriculars

  • Gets way too excited about graphics design and web development
  • Is the best table tennis player in the break room
  • Paints and draws

References

Anselm C Griffin

Professor Emeritus, Georgia Tech

mail_outlineanselm.griffin@mse.gatech.edu

Meisha L Shofnerlink

Professor, Georgia Tech

mail_outlinemeisha.shofner@mse.gatech.edu

Paul S Russolink

Professor, Georgia Tech

mail_outlinepaul.russo@mse.gatech.edu

Bin Li

Senior Research Chemist, Koppers

mail_outlinebinli415@gmail.com

Karthik Nayanilink

Assistant Professor, U Arkansas

mail_outlineknayani@uark.edu

Ukash Nakarmilink

Assistant Professor, U Arkansas

mail_outlineunakarmi@uark.edu