“Jill is a fantastic leader and role model in science, education, and innovation. I first met her when she stepped up to spearhead the UC Irvine student chapter of the Nuclear Policy Working Group as a PhD student at UC Irvine. She is passionate about enabling multidisciplinary, inclusive STEM education and I have enjoyed following her journey thus far towards becoming a senior scientist developing innovations in lithium-ion battery technology and founding The STEM Thrive Guides to provide much-needed resources for students and professionals who want to combat bias, discrimination, and harassment in their fields. We need more well-rounded, purposeful scientists like Jill who will leading diverse and inclusive teams in the pursuit of scientific innovation.”
About
Hi! As the lead of Accenture's North American battery consulting team, I help teams…
Contributions
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You're a self-employed Materials Scientist. How can you make sure you stand out from the crowd?
As a materials scientist, I’ve always stood out because the field is male-dominant. I didn’t like standing out at first and tried to blend in to thwart harassment, but that was futile. I’ve learned that the path to do what you love is to be yourself and follow your curiosity. Standing out is easy when you’re being yourself because you are unique. Share your knowledge and experience as well as ask questions, and over time your network will come to see you as the go-to expert. There are many platforms and professional societies to meet others with similar and tangential interests. Authenticity is key.
Activity
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I’m so excited to be doing this upcoming BatteryMBA lecture! I’ll be speaking about battery integration and fast charging for racing applications…
I’m so excited to be doing this upcoming BatteryMBA lecture! I’ll be speaking about battery integration and fast charging for racing applications…
Liked by Jill Pestana
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I am proud to work with a group of the most talented scientists to enable aqueous batteries for ultra low cost, great safety, long life energy…
I am proud to work with a group of the most talented scientists to enable aqueous batteries for ultra low cost, great safety, long life energy…
Liked by Jill Pestana
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Please join me in congratulating my Mom, DEBBIE ZUMWALT, on her last day of work after nearly 44 years of federal service at Tinker Air Force Base in…
Please join me in congratulating my Mom, DEBBIE ZUMWALT, on her last day of work after nearly 44 years of federal service at Tinker Air Force Base in…
Liked by Jill Pestana
Experience
Education
Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
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Founding President
Discover Science Initiative
- 1 year 11 months
Education
As Outreach Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS) Graduate Student Association (GSA), I founded Discover Science Initiative (DSI) to provide opportunities for students to practice science communication. My vision was to connect UCI student researchers (and their fascinating research) with the Southern California community through STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and math) outreach.
I formed partnerships with Discovery Cube of Orange County,…As Outreach Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS) Graduate Student Association (GSA), I founded Discover Science Initiative (DSI) to provide opportunities for students to practice science communication. My vision was to connect UCI student researchers (and their fascinating research) with the Southern California community through STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and math) outreach.
I formed partnerships with Discovery Cube of Orange County, Crystal Cove Alliance, Girls Inc., and other local education centers to provide outreach workshops and event volunteers. We educated over 7,000 people of all ages with 8 outreach workshops in our first year, and volunteered for Boeing’s annual Rocket Launch community event. Based on our unprecedented success, we earned $5,000 in grant funding from the DECADE Mentor Fellowship Award fund to support DSI. -
Founder & Ambassador (UC Irvine)
Nuclear Policy Working Group
- 1 year 1 month
Education
As founder of Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG) at UC Irvine, I recruited 30 students from the natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering to join and work on projects related to nuclear science and security. I led meetings and events, and coordinated activities with NPWG at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and U of Michigan. I completed the 2015 Public Policy and Nuclear Threats (PPNT) Boot Camp. The NPWG Local Policy focus group collected articles from the Bulletin of Municipal Foreign Policy,…
As founder of Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG) at UC Irvine, I recruited 30 students from the natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering to join and work on projects related to nuclear science and security. I led meetings and events, and coordinated activities with NPWG at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and U of Michigan. I completed the 2015 Public Policy and Nuclear Threats (PPNT) Boot Camp. The NPWG Local Policy focus group collected articles from the Bulletin of Municipal Foreign Policy, and digitized them into the Digital Public Library of America through UCI library services, making them publicly available and preserving Irvine’s history in municipal policy leadership.
As Ambassador, I was awarded $20,000 by Nuclear Science and Security Consortium (NSSC) to support my doctoral research.
NPWG at UCI evolved to become the current Science Policy Group (SPG) at UCI. -
Founder
The STEM Thrive Guides
- Present 4 years
Education
The STEM Thrive Guides' mission is to provide support and resources to targets of inappropriate behavior at work and school. We provide online courses through our website (www.stemthriveguides.com), as well as a podcast called Resilient in STEM.
Patents
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Electrochemically active materials and methods of preparing the same
Issued US20210193993A1
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Use of silicon with impurities in silicon-dominant anode cells
Issued US11183689B2
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Carbon additives for direct coating of silicon-dominant anodes
Filed US US20210143418A1
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Configuring anisotropic expansion of silicon-dominant anodes using particle size
Filed US US20210143432A1
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High Speed Formation Of Cells For Configuring Anisotropic Expansion Of Silicon-Dominant Anodes
Filed US US20210143431A1
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Methods of forming electrochemical cells with a combination formation charge rate
Filed US US20210175492A1
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Solid-state polymer electrolyte for use in production of all-solid-state alkali-ion batteries
Filed US US20210194055A1
Honors & Awards
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Enevate Employee Award
Enevate Corporation
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Carbon Slam Finalist, People's Choice Award
University of California
Selected as a Carbon Slam climate solutions finalist for 3-minute TED-style pitch on research titled "How Do Batteries Age?" The University of California Carbon Slam is a spirited contest between talented scholars from all UC campuses. Carbon Slam brings together researchers, investors, non-profit an for-profit industry representatives, and community leader to stimulate new partnerships that will use UC science and innovations to inform state and local policies and drive commercial markets.
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Nuclear Security Policy Fellowship
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) via the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium (NSSC)
As an NSSC fellow I founded and led the UC Irvine chapter of the Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG@UCI) from 2015-2016. As ambassador of this group I maintained communication between NPWG@UCI and the other NPWG chapters in UC Berkeley, Michigan State University, and UC Davis. I coordinated weekly NPWG@UCI meetings, hosted 6 professional development events, and worked with graduate and undergraduate students from the social sciences and natural sciences degree programs to initiate student-led…
As an NSSC fellow I founded and led the UC Irvine chapter of the Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG@UCI) from 2015-2016. As ambassador of this group I maintained communication between NPWG@UCI and the other NPWG chapters in UC Berkeley, Michigan State University, and UC Davis. I coordinated weekly NPWG@UCI meetings, hosted 6 professional development events, and worked with graduate and undergraduate students from the social sciences and natural sciences degree programs to initiate student-led projects. The student led projects included an educational module for teaching about nonproliferation and the history of nuclear security. In addition, I worked with a sociology PhD candidate as well as the UC Irvine library to digitize the "Bulletin of Municipal Foreign Policy" and upload it to the University of California library as well as the Digital Public Library of America.
About the Fellowship:
The NSSC Nuclear Security Policy Fellowship seeks to support graduate theses on Nuclear Threats
and Public Policy. The continued interactions between the development of nuclear technology, the global expansion of nuclear energy, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons make nuclear security issues a persistent policy concern. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and fissile material has intensified concerns about the potential threat of nuclear terrorism by non-state actors. Meanwhile, existing nuclear weapon states confront conflicting agendas, on the one hand under pressure on nonproliferation and disarmament, on the other hand maintaining their deterrent capabilities as safe, secure, reliable, and credible. -
Distinguished Graduate from Department of Physics and Astronomy
California State University, Long Beach
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University Honors Program Graduate
California State University, Long Beach
Completion of a minimum of 18 units of lower- and upper-division General Education, major, and/or elective Honors courses, as well as a culminating 6-unit senior thesis/project in nano-optics physics research.
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MOAA Grant
Long Beach Officer Wives Club
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Scalettar Summer Scholarship
CSULB Department of Physics and Astronomy
Through the Scalettar Scholarship I researched with Dr. Jiyeong Gu Condensed Matter Lab at CSULB to investigate experimentally fundamental quantum electronic and magnetic phenomena occurring in Ferromagnetic (F)-based hybrid systems with other materials, such as Superconductor(S)/F hybrid system. I produced novel systems artificially in nano-structured composite materials, such as F/S/F. I fabricated samples as thin films using sputtering method. I worked with Dr. Gu to measure magnetization of…
Through the Scalettar Scholarship I researched with Dr. Jiyeong Gu Condensed Matter Lab at CSULB to investigate experimentally fundamental quantum electronic and magnetic phenomena occurring in Ferromagnetic (F)-based hybrid systems with other materials, such as Superconductor(S)/F hybrid system. I produced novel systems artificially in nano-structured composite materials, such as F/S/F. I fabricated samples as thin films using sputtering method. I worked with Dr. Gu to measure magnetization of thin films’ with Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS), and analyzed data with Origin to study magnetic proximity effect in the F/S/F (Niobium-Permalloy) thin films.
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Harold J. Walker Memorial Scholarship- 4 years
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/NewsReleases/2008/08-44.txt
Awarded scholarship for graduating as Salutatorian from Tehachapi High School with honors in biological sciences. Also awarded for leading in many organizations and teams including President of National Scholastic Federation (NSF), Captain of JV Soccer team, Girl Scout Gold Leadership Award, Silver Award, and Bronze Award, and Section Leader for clarinets in Tehachapi Warrior Marching Band.
Organizations
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Society of Women Engineers - Orange County
Professional Development Conference Chair
-As the Professional Development Conference (PDC) Chair, I worked with SWE officials to plan and lead the 2018 PDC. We raised over $7,000 in sponsorships, and hosted over 70 attendees for our day-long conference. The SWE Orange County Section was originally part of the SWE Los Angeles Section. In the early 1980s, the Los Angeles section had more than 400 members and was the largest section in the nation. With members dispersed across both counties and with the section as large as it was, it…
As the Professional Development Conference (PDC) Chair, I worked with SWE officials to plan and lead the 2018 PDC. We raised over $7,000 in sponsorships, and hosted over 70 attendees for our day-long conference. The SWE Orange County Section was originally part of the SWE Los Angeles Section. In the early 1980s, the Los Angeles section had more than 400 members and was the largest section in the nation. With members dispersed across both counties and with the section as large as it was, it made sense to charter a new section. On February 10, 1985, the section received its official charter. It had been four years in the making, but through strong will and determination, it all paid off. Today, the SWE-OC section is still continuing to grow. SWE-OC has approximately 153 professional members.
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Orange County Engineering Coucil
2018 Awards Banquet volunteer
-To enhance the public image of engineers and scientists and promote the interaction of professional societies and engineering/scientific corporations and universities in Orange County California. OCEC does not compete with these organizations but rather provides a forum to develop synergy between them.
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Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG@UCI)
Ambassador
-I established a satellite chapter of the Nuclear Policy Working Group at the University of California, Irvine (NPWG@UCI). As ambassador of this group I maintained communication between NPWG@UCI and the other NPWG chapters in UC Berkeley, Michigan State University, and UC Davis. I coordinated weekly NPWG@UCI meetings, hosted 6 professional development events, and worked with graduate and undergraduate students from the social sciences and natural sciences degree programs to initiate student-led…
I established a satellite chapter of the Nuclear Policy Working Group at the University of California, Irvine (NPWG@UCI). As ambassador of this group I maintained communication between NPWG@UCI and the other NPWG chapters in UC Berkeley, Michigan State University, and UC Davis. I coordinated weekly NPWG@UCI meetings, hosted 6 professional development events, and worked with graduate and undergraduate students from the social sciences and natural sciences degree programs to initiate student-led projects. The student led projects included an educational module for teaching about nonproliferation and the history of nuclear security. In addition, I worked with a sociology PhD candidate as well as the UC Irvine library to digitize the "Bulletin of Municipal Foreign Policy" and upload it to the University of California library as well as the Digital Public Library of America. As ambassador, I communicate with other NPWG chapters at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Michigan State University to inform UCI students and faculty of opportunities related to funding, professional development, media, and career paths. I facilitated the creation of several focus groups consisting of members within NPWG@UCI. These focus groups concentrate on various topics in nuclear security policy: Nonproliferation and Geopolitics, Nuclear Iran, Irvine Nuclear Policy Reporting, and Education and Public Outreach. In 2016 the organization merged with the UC Irvine Science Policy Group (SPG), and continues to connect students and the local community with opportunities to learn and work in science policy.
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Discover Science Initiative (DSI)
Founder/President
-The mission of DSI is to connect UCI researchers to community partners in order to do science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics outreach. As the founder and President, I maintain communication between community partners such as Discovery Cube, UCI workshop leaders, 9 DSI officers, and DSI member volunteers by leading meetings, tracking development of workshops, managing dsiuci.wordpress.com, and linking students to resources. I mentored students in creating 8 outreach workshops…
The mission of DSI is to connect UCI researchers to community partners in order to do science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics outreach. As the founder and President, I maintain communication between community partners such as Discovery Cube, UCI workshop leaders, 9 DSI officers, and DSI member volunteers by leading meetings, tracking development of workshops, managing dsiuci.wordpress.com, and linking students to resources. I mentored students in creating 8 outreach workshops, outreaching to over 7,000 people of all ages. I developed and organized 4 professional development workshops for DSI members to teach graduate students effective outreach techniques and communication skills. In addition to UCI organizations such as Photonics@UCI and Association of Energy Engineers, DSI works with community partners such as Girls Inc. of Orange County, Discovery Cube Foundation, Crystal Cove Alliance, Orange County Science Circle, Orange County Libraries, Equitas Academy, and Brews and Brains. www.dsiuci.wordpress.com
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American Ceramic Society (ACerS)
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
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The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS)
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Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
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Society of Physics Students
President and Secretary at CSULB
-Jill took initiative to reactivate a Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). By establishing the organization from the ground up, she lead development of a strong member base by recruiting undergraduate and graduate students from all departments. From 2009 until her graduation in 2012, Jill connected students to research opportunities inside and outside CSULB, fund-raised to support her and 3 students' travel to PhysCon 2012 in Orlando, FL…
Jill took initiative to reactivate a Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). By establishing the organization from the ground up, she lead development of a strong member base by recruiting undergraduate and graduate students from all departments. From 2009 until her graduation in 2012, Jill connected students to research opportunities inside and outside CSULB, fund-raised to support her and 3 students' travel to PhysCon 2012 in Orlando, FL to present research, collaborated with other SPS chapters on outreach projects with the local community, mentored peers, and, overall, created an active physics student community at CSULB which continues to exist today. In addition, Jill was a contributing author to the SPS magazine, the "SPS Observer", and a SPS conference reporter.
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American Physical Society
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CSULB University Honors Program
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California Scholastic Federation
Lifetime Member
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National Honors Society
President
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Girl Scouts of America
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-Awards: Bronze Award, Silver Award, Gold Leadership Award
Recommendations received
7 people have recommended Jill
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