Education

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT), Cambridge, MA
1995 - 2001. Ph.D. in the field of Biological Physics. Thesis title: Self-Assembly of Helical Ribbons from Chiral Amphiphiles. Research supervisor: George B. Benedek.

YALE UNIVERSITY, New Haven, CT
1991-1995. B.S. in Physics. Thesis title: Optical Properties of Polymer Gel Dosimeter. Research supervisors: Marek J. Maryanski and John C. Gore.

KIEV PEDAGOGICAL COLLEGE No. 1, Kiev, Ukraine
1987-1989. Study of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Methodology of teaching of Mathematics, Russian and Ukrainian languages and literature, Science, Music, and Physical education to elementary school students. Studies terminated due to emigration to the U.S.A.

KIEV EVENING MUSICAL SCHOOL No. 9, Kiev, Ukraine
1979 - 1986. Study of fortepiano, musical theory, musical history, and choir. Acquired Red Diploma of Graduation with Honors.

Selected Teaching Experience and Interests

Assistant Professor of Physics, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering	7/2002 - present
Developing and teaching physics component of the first year cohorts (for the academic year 2002-2003, they were Kinetic Sculpture and RoboScout cohorts.) The physics involved in these courses in intensive calculus-based introductory mechanics, electricity and magnetism, as well as optics.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Wellesley College	9/2000 - 6/2002
Taught Physics 107 (Introductory Physics I, Calculus-Based Introduction to Mechanics), Physics 108 (Introductory Physics II, Calculus-Based Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism), Physics 106 (Basic Concepts in Physics II, Non-Calculus-Based Introduction to Geometrical and Physical Optics, Electricity and Magnetism), Physics 306 (Advanced Mechanics) and Laboratory associated with Physics 107 and 108 lectures.
Curriculum Consultant, SEED (Saturday Engineering Exploration and Discovery) Academy, MIT	Fall 2001 - present
Physics curriculum development consultant. The academy gears towards talented minority students from local high schools and leads these students throughout the 4 years prior to their entering college.
GRE Review Instructor, Wellesley College	Fall 2000
Co-taught the GRE review sessions preparing students to take the physics portion of this examination.
Physics Instructor, MITE2S program, MIT	Summers of 2001, 2000, 1999, and 1998
Selected to be an instructor of a course in Advanced Physics in MITE2S program. This rigorous six-week course introduces promising under-represented minority high school juniors to the field of Physics while building the self-confidence necessary for success. Teaching calculus based classical mechanics on the level of an introductory college course in Physics.
Tutor, Office of Minority Education, MIT	Fall 1997 - Spring 2000
Tutor for the MIT Tutorial Services. Duties include one-on-one tutoring of undergraduate students in Physics and Mathematics.
Mentor, Minority Summer Research Program, MIT	Summer 1996
Mentoring for the MIT Minority Summer Research Program (MSRP). Duties included working as immediate supervisor to an undergraduate student, teaching the basics of the physics and chemistry involved in my research topic, and providing hands-on experience in an experimental laboratory environment.
Substitute Teacher	Fall 1987 - Spring 1989
Elementary school substitute teacher in Kiev. Taught courses in Mathematics, Writing, Reading, and Spoken Russian and Ukrainian languages for grades 1-4.

Selected Research Interests and Experience

Research Collaborator on Borodin Project, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering	September 2002 - present
Borodin Project: supported Diana Dabby, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Music, and Polina Segalova in translation of Borodin's biography and discussions about the composer's life and the time period in Russia during which A.P. Borodin lived and created his work.
Research PI, Wellesley College, MIT	March 2001 - 6/2002
Investigating questions pertaining to the chemical composition, molecular arrangement, and kinetic evolution of the self-assembly of helical ribbons and tubules formed in quaternary sterol systems. These systems are composed of bile salt or nonionic detergent, a phosphatidylcholine or a fatty acid, and a steroid analog of cholesterol in water. This work is done at Wellesley College and in collaboration with Prof. Benedek at MIT.
Visiting Scientist, MIT	March 2001 - present
Standing collaboration with the MIT staff to perform the above research projects.
Research Assistant, MIT	1995 - February 2001
Researching chiral self-assembly in model bile. Conducting experimental determination of molecular and thermodynamic factors which govern the self-assembly of chiral amphiphiles into helical microstructures. Developing theoretical models capable of a quantitative description of the kinetic evolution, geometrical structure, and molecular ordering of self-assembled helical ribbons and tubules. Project web site: http://web.mit.edu/physics/benedek.
Senior Physics Consultant, PIVoT Project, MIT	1/1999 - 8/2000
Consultant for the Center for Educational Computer Initiatives at MIT. Creating the Physics Interactive VideO Tutor (PIVoT), a web-based multimedia tutorial that seeks to create a video-dominated learning environment to support students taking introductory physics courses at MIT. Developing and editing all physics-related content. Assisting in a full-scale evaluation of PIVOT usage by students. Serving as a primary liaison with MITE2S program, bringing PIVOT to the forefront of MITE2S physics instruction.
Research Assistant, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University	8/1994 - 6/1995
Research Assistant for John C. Gore, Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Applied Physics, Yale University (currently, Chancellor's University Professor of Radiology & Radiological Sciences Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University.) Studied the effects of X-ray radiation dose, fraction of cross-linker in the monomer mixture, and wavelength of incident light on the optical density response and the refractive index of BANG gels. Analyzed the relationship between the transverse NMR relaxation time of water protons (R2) in the gel and the optical density of the gel, the size distribution of the microparticles, and the radiation dose for various fractions of cross-linker.
Research Assistant, Department of Physics, University of Chicago	Summer 1994
Research Assistant for Tom F. Rosenbaum, Professor of Physics, University of Chicago. Studied the dynamical signature of the Mott - Hubbard transition in Ni(S,Se)2. Characterized critical behavior in the T -> 0 limit via four-probe resistivity measurements in the hydrostatic pressure cell using ac bridge technique.
Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Yale University	Summer 1993
Research Assistant for Moshe Gai, Assistant Professor of Physics, Yale University (currently, Professor of Physics at University of Connecticut, and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Yale University, Wright Nuclear Structure.) Studied molecular Alpha-Clustering Models of 218Ra.

Selected Community Service

Convener for the BBOW Task Group	Fall 2002 - present
Convener for the BBOW task group, which brainstormed, collected, and synthesized information about the relationship between Brandeis University, Babson College, Wellesley College, and Olin. The results of the work of this group were presented in late December of 2002 to the faculty and later to students. Facilitated the initial meetings with Wellesley College faculty and a tour of Wellesley College Science Center. Continuing to further the relationship between Wellesley College and Olin.
Grading Policy and Competencies	Summer 2002 - present
Participation in and contribution to a discussion and production of a Competencies at Olin Proposal of the Grading Group document.
Advising Advisory Group	Spring 2003 - present
Facilitated an advising family discussion during Thinking It Through day. Participated in multiple discussions of the role of advising families and how to improve their function. Assisted Ellen Cooney, Assistant Dean of Student Life, in improving and obtaining a new version of the Learning Plans.
Women In Science and Engineering Group at Olin	Spring 2003
Organized Olin College student representation at the National Symposium on Advancement of Women in Science. Supported an initial direction of original efforts by students to organize student-lead group of women in science and engineering at Olin.
Expo 2003	May 2003
Facilitator of discussions on Physics at Olin College, Gender at Olin College, How to Make Olin a Happening Place.
Inauguration Committee	1/2003 - 5/2003
Participation in and contribution to a discussion and production of a Competencies at Olin Proposal of the Grading Group document.
Member of the U.S.A. Delegation to the IUPAP Conference on Women in Physics	March 2002
Selected to be a member of the U.S.A. delegation to the IUPAP (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics) Conference on Women in Physics that was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, in March of 2002. The conference will investigate the reasons for severe under-representation of women in physics worldwide. The members of the conference will also work on developing strategies to increase women participation in physics. It is the first international conference to be held on this topic.
Faculty Advisor to The Project Vision at Wellesley College	9/2001 - 6/2002
Initiated the project and serve the role of the faculty advisor to The Project Vision geared towards 11 - 15 years old girls and boys from local low-income schools; the sole purpose of this project is to propagate the beauty of science into low-income communities and encourage the new generation of students to learn science and to enjoy it.
Faculty Co-Advisor to Wellesley College SPS	Spring 2001 - 6/2002
Served the role of faculty advisor to Wellesley College SPS helping students organize various events and meetings.
First Year Advisor and	Fall 2001 - 6/2002
Independent Biophysics Major Advisor at Wellesley College	Spring 2001 - 6/2002
Served the role of faculty advisor to first year Wellesley College students and for the independent biophysics major student; helping students choosing their curriculum and advising them in their academic careers.
Girls' Day, Wellesley College	April 2001, 2002
Held "Magic or Physics: Illusion or Reality?" workshop during the Girls' Day, a day for middle and high school aged girls from Boston area, an outreach program. Shared the magic of physics while performing a few tricks and giving few tips on how to make illusions, all of which are based on the laws of physics.
Member of Physics Education Committee, MIT	Fall 1997 - 5/2001
The Physics graduate program is under the direction of Physics Graduate Committee. This committee serves to help with issues that arise in graduate career of all students. Duties include student representation in the Education Committee, as well as organization of social activities for the graduate student body.
Coping with Graduate School, MIT	Spring 2000
Co-organized a workshop for women graduate students on improving their self-esteem and developing coping skills.
Council on Educational Technology, Focus Group, MIT	March 1999
Participated in the focus group for the MIT's Council on Educational Technology. Discussed a proposal to dramatically change the relationship between the Institute and its community of students, faculty, and alumni.
MITE2S Selection Committee, MIT	March 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Served on the admissions committee for the MITE2S program, choosing students for the incoming summer classes.
Mentor	Fall 1996 - Fall 2000
Mentoring for the MIT KEYs Program (Keys to Empowering Youth). Teaching empowerment workshops for 11-13 years old girls. The skills taught include communication, problem solving, teamwork and leadership, and self-esteem building.
Co-advisor	October 1998
Served as co-advisor to minority students at the New England Board of Higher Education Science and Engineering Support Network. Shared information about succeeding and overcoming barriers and helped build self-esteem.

Selected Grants and Honors

2001 - 2002		Brachman Hoffman Fellowship, Wellesley College
1995		Forum Departmental Fellowship, MIT
1995		NSF Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention
1995		Magna Cum Laude, Yale University
1995		Distinction in Physics award, Yale University
1994		NSF Fellowship at the University of Chicago
1993		Yale AMPS (Academic Mentorship Program in Science) Summer Fellowship
1991 - 1995		National Dean's List
1991 - 1995		Yale Club of Hartford Scholarship
1991 - 1995		Yale University Scholarship

Publications and Presentations

1. M. Urry, S. Tobias, K. Budil, H. Georgi, K. Lang, D. Li, L. McNeil, P. Saeta, J. Sokoloski, S. Stephenson, A. Venskatesan, and Y. V. Zastavker, "Women in Physics: The IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics", AIP Conference Proc. 628(1): 237 (2002).
   
   
2. B. Smith, Y. V. Zastavker, G. B. Benedek, "The Tension-Induced Straightening Transition of Self-Assembled Helical Ribbons", Phys. Rev. Lett. 87: 278101-(1-4) (2001).
   
   
3. B. Smith, Y. Zastavker, N. Asherie, A. Lomakin, and G. B. Benedek, "An Investigation of the Elastic Properties of Anisotropic Helical Ribbons" Biophys. J. (Annual Meeting Abstracts), 80: 503a (2001).
   
   
4. Y. V. Zastavker, N. Asherie, A. Lomakin, J. Pande, J. M. Donovan, J. M. Schnur, and G. B. Benedek, "Self-Assembly of Helical Ribbons", Proc. Antl. Acad. Sci. USA 96: 7883 (1999).
   
   
5. M. J. Maryanski, Y. V. Zastavker, and J. C. Gore, "Radiation Dose Distributions in Three-Dimensions from Tomographic Optical-Density Scanning of Polymer Gels II: Optical Properties of the BANG Polymer Gel", Phys. Med. Biol. 41: 1 (1996).
   
   
6. A. Husmann, D. S. Jin, Y. V. Zastavker, T. F. Rosenbaum, X. Yao, and J. M. Honig, "Dynamical Signature of the Mott--Hubbard Transition in Ni(S,Se)₂", Science 274: 1874 (1996).
   
   
7. D. S. Jin, A. Husmann, Y. V. Zastavker, T. F. Rosenbaum, X. Yao, and J. M. Honig, "Probes of Quantum Critical Behavior at the Anderson - Mott Transition", Phys. Rev. Lett. (in press).
   
   
8. August, 2003 -- "To Cohort or Not to Cohort: an Experiment in Extensive Integration and Partial Differentiation", (3.1 Mb) Invited Speaker at the Annual AAPT Meting, Madison, WI
   
   
9. September, 2002 -- "Biological Self-Assemblies: Microsprings", Invited Colloquium Lecture Presentation, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
   
   
10. May, 2002 -- "The Status of Women in Physics -- What, Why, and How to Change", Brown Bag Lunch Lecture, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
    
    
11. April, 2002 -- "The Status of Women in Physics -- What, Why, and How to Change", NARST Annual Conference Poster, New Orleans, LA
    
    
12. July, 2000 - "DNA is Not the Only Helix in Town or a Story of Crafty Microsprings", "Research Experiences for Undergraduates", Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
    
    
13. June, 2000 - "Self-Assembly of Helical Structures", "Biomaterials and Complex Fluids Workshop", University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
    
    
14. April, 1999 - "Formation of Helical Ribbons as a General Phenomenon", Office of Naval Research, Washington D.C.
    
    
15. October, 1999 -- Poster , Physics Department Poster Session, MIT, Cambridge, MA
    
    
16. September, 1999 -- Poster , "Materials Day", Materials Processing Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA
    
    
17. November, 1997 -- Poster , Physics Department Poster Session, MIT, Cambridge, MA
    
    
18. October, 1997 -- Poster , "Biomaterials and Complex Fluids Workshop", Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Personal

Linguistic Skills
Native language is Russian. Fluent in the Ukrainian and English languages.

Interests
Playing Piano, Singing, Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Eastern Dancing Styles.

References

Available upon request.