PILLALAMARRI ILA, Ph. D.

PROFILE

Scientific
Ph. D. in Nuclear Physics with 25 years professional experience in research projects involving nuclear analytical techniques, with a strong commitment to training, research and development. Proven track record in scientific laboratory operational efficiency with ability to work well at all levels within an organization.

Computer
Talented, creative, experienced, multi task oriented computer professional with excellent analytical skills to meet client needs, provide programming support and maintenance to client-users, ability to meet deadlines in a timely and effective manner.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Scientific Skills

Nuclear Analytical Techniques:
  • Thermal, Fast, Delayed neutron activation analyses,
  • Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy
  • Prompt gamma spectroscopy and Gamma Spectroscopy


    • Nuclear Physics: Theoretical nuclear physics, Nuclear physics instrumentation


    Health Physics: Radiation and radioactivity detection and measurement effects on human and environment


    Computer Skills
    Languages:
    C, Visual Basic, FORTRAN
    Operating Systems:
    VAX VMS, Alpha Open VMS, MS-WINDOWS, UNIX
    Utilities:
    Adobe Photoshop, Cricket Graph, Canvas, MS Word
    Data Base Management:
    EXCEL, FOXPRO, MS Access, Oracle 8i, SQL
    Web Design and Data Base Management:
    HTML, Java script, VB script, Client - Server/Active Server Pages
    COM and GUI Programming

    SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    1. Research Specialist, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
    In Charge of Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory
    1980 - Present
  • -Training of users by giving lectures in theory and experimental procedures of neutron activation analysis.
  • -Guiding users (undergraduate, graduates, post-doctoral fellows, and professors) in routine and non-routine analyses.
  • -Research and publication of related theoretical and experimental topics.
  • -Regular trace element analysis of geological samples.
  • -Data reduction, quality control of precision and accuracy of results.
  • -Modify current laboratory experimental systems to adapt to new systems.
  • -Evaluation and implementation of new techniques to provide better solutions to the scientific projects: Neutron activation analytical technique using thermal, delayed and fast neutrons
  • -Research publications related to the neutron activation analysis


    • 2. Experience in Nuclear Analytical Techniques

  • -Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of geological, archaeological, plant, food and blood materials. 1980 - Present.
  • -Gamma Spectroscopy in Neutron Activation Analysis. 1980 - Present.
  • -Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis of geological samples for boron. 1994.
  • -Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy for filtered water analysis. 1990 - 1991.
  • -Delayed Neutron Counting of geological samples for U and Th. 1983 - 1985.
  • -Fast Neutron Activation Analysis of mineral samples. 1978 - 1980.
  • -Cyclic Neutron Activation Analysis of mineral samples using fast neutrons. 1976 - 1980.


    • 3. Research projects conducted, using instrumental neutron activation analysis facility at MIT

  • -Trace impurity analyses of high pure materials:
    • Determination of Chlorine at ppm level and Co, Cr, Cs and Sc at ppb level in reactor grade graphites: Special procedures were set up and performed for Dr. D. Gerlach (Batelle Project 1994).

  • -Evaluation of the efficiency of the proposed sorbent materials for the removal of trace heavy metals in drinking water by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). A project in collaboration with Dr. S. Sarangapani. Funded by EPA, 1991 $12000.


  • Determination of trace impurities in spectroscopically pure silicon dioxide: Large amounts of silicon dioxide are added to geological samples with low trace elements, such as quartz feldspar and olivine, the trace element contents of the silicon dioxide are significant contaminant. Rare earth element impurities at the level of 1 to 100 ppb were determined with about 10% to 30% error.


  • Trace element analysis of spectroscopically pure silicon dioxide by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and F. A. Frey,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 131 (1989) 37-42.


  • Feasibility study of determination of Ir and Au in sludge material by INAA.
    P. Ila (1998)


  • Application of instrumental neutron activation analysis in archaelogy:
    Indium and Tin are potentially useful elements in archaeological provenience studies of ancient tin and bronze artifacts. In(10-15000 ppm) and Sn(20% to 90%) are quantitatively determined in Mexican cassiterite samples.
    Instrumental neutron activation analysis part guided and designed for the post-doctoral project of Dr. A. Macfarlane.

    Quantitative determination of In and Sn in cassiterites by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and A. M. Macfarlane,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 182 (1994) 427 - 435.

    4. Experience in neutron activation analysis system:

  • Hardware and Software 1980 - Present (Director)
    Experienced in scientific research, computer based scientific instrumentation, programming, maintenance, faculty and student user training of the neutron activation analysis.

  • Scientific Database Management: Quality control of scientific data acquisition and reduction.

  • User Support: Student -faculty user coordination and training, modification of software programs tailored to user needs.

  • System maintenance and updates:
  • Modified Gamma spectroscopy system together with scientific utility program called TEABAGS on PDP 11/24, RSX11M operating system to Micro Vax 3300 VAX VMS operating system (1990) to Alpha - Open VMS operating system (2001-2002).
  • Updated and modified TEABAGS program for updating and expansion of laboratory system which required extensive modification of TEABAGS written in FORTRAN IV.
  • Set up computer based Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory using PDP 11/24 computer and RSX11M operating system.


    • 5. Experience in Computer programming/analysis/development

    Interface Programmer, Psyche Systems, Milford, MA
  • Experienced in the development of interfaces based on the Health Level 7 standards with interface engines such as Meditech, HBO, Clinstar, Keane.
  • Interacted with customers on 30+ sites by participating in application development for client projects and assisting clients in installation and use of software.
  • Analyzed client's needs, supported clients-users and provided programming support and maintenance.
  • Acquired excellent interpersonal communication and problem solving analytical skills in team environment, often providing leadership.
  • Ability to quickly and effectively refactor existing code; design and implement new functionality to develop new clients' projects.

    • 6. Desktop Publishing
  • Vamana 2001 (English, 22 pages)
  • Quicksilver 2002 (English, 148 pages)

    • 7. Web design and development

  • INAA Laboratory web page 2000
    • http://web.mit.edu/pila/www/inaa.html
  • MaKadhalu storefront 2002
    • http://www.makadhalu.us

    EDUCATION

    Scientific
  • Ph. D., Nuclear Physics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India 1975
  • M. S. in Applied Nuclear Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, U.S.A., 1976
  • Post Graduate diploma in Applied Statistics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India 1971
  • Nuclear Physics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India 1970
  • Math-Phys-Chem., Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India 1968
    • Computer
    (For the purpose of upgrading skills from FORTRAN/VAX System to PC Based Web system)
  • Client Server/ Visual Basic/ ASP Developer, Master Certificate July 2001 - March 2002
    Computer Career Institute, Clark University, Cambridge, MA 2002
    . 360 hours hands on experience, maintained 4.0 GPA
  • Visual Basic: Programming concepts, techniques, and client-side modeling architecture using Visual Basic 6.0.using Oracle 8I in relational database management.
  • ADO Data Controls, Objects and ActiveX: Real world application development focusing on server-side data access using proven coding techniques and ActiveX.
  • HTML - Java and VB script - Active Server Pages: Web development using HTML, Java script, VB script and Active Server pages.
  • ACCESS Programming, Certificate, MIT Information Systems 1998
    · Systems Approach to Programming Certificate (600 Hours programming course), 1995
    UNIX, C, C++, VISUAL BASIC, FOXPRO, DOS Programming (maintained 4.0 GPA)
    Computer Learning Center, Somerville, MA

    • PUBLICATIONS


    I. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of geological, archaeological, plant, food and blood materials.
        (Elemental composition determination of geological reference standards)
    · Trace element concentrations of new USGS standards AGV2, BCR2, BHVO2, DTS2 and GSP2 by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and F. A. Frey, Modern Trends in Activation Analysis, MTAA10, Bethesda, MD, U. S. A., April 19-23, 1999
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 244 (2000) 599-602.

        (Utilization of neutron activation analysis to probe archaelogical samples)
    · Quantitative determination of In and Sn in cassiterites by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and A. M. Macfarlane,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 182 (1994) 427 - 435.
    · Rare earth potential of the carbonatites of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India and their geochemical significance,
    T. V. S. R. Kshira Sagar, B. Nagamalleswara Rao, B. Parthasarathy, P. B. Pawaskar and P. Ila,
    International Symposium on Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry, Washington D.C., 1991, AR-47.
        (Testing for impurities in high pure material)
    · Trace element analysis of spectroscopically pure silicon dioxide by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and F. A. Frey,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 131 (1989) 37-42.

        (Biological, geological, plant material analyses)
    · Multielement analysis of blood and serum analysis samples of diabetic patients by instrumental analysis,
    P. Ila, International Conference in Activation Analysis and its Applications, Oct 15-19,
    1990, Beijing, China, p336. (Accepted Abstract : Did not get presented)

    · Multielement analysis of lichen by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 120 (1988) 247-252.

    · Multielement analysis of uraniferous rocks by INAA: Special reference to interferences due to uranium and fission of uranium,
    P. Ila, P. Jagam and G. K. Muecke
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 79 (1983) 215-232.

    · Multielement analysis of food spices by instrumental neutron activation analysis,
    P. Ila and P. Jagam,
    Third European Conference on Analytical Chemistry, EUROANALYSIS III,
    Dublin, Ireland, 1978, p347,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 57 (1980) 205-210.


    II. Fast Neutron Activation Analysis of mineral samples.

    Cyclic Neutron Activation Analysis of mineral samples using fast neutrons.
    · Determination of total oxygen in standard rocks by cyclic activation analysis using a 14 MeV neutron generator,
    P. Ila,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 148 (1991) 415-422.
    · Elemental analysis of geochemical samples by cyclic activation using a 14 MeV neutron generator,
    P. Ila and D. S. Murty,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 134 (1989) 27-37.
    · Cyclic activation with flux corrections: 1. Cyclic counting.
    P. Ila, P. Jagam and G. K. Muecke,
    Nuclear Instruments and Methods 159 (1979) 145-151.

    III. Methodology: Gamma Spectroscopy and Neutron Activation Analysis

    · Determination of Wyttenbach correction factors in neutron activation system dedicated to trace element analysis of geologic samples,
    P. Ila,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 122 (1988) 103-113.

    · Utilization of neutron activation analysis in the study of geologic materials,
    P. Ila and F. A. Frey,
    Atomkernenergie Kern-technik supplement 44 (1984) 710-716.

    · Reactor detector calibration for routine instrumental neutron activation analysis of geologic samples,
    P. Ila, P. Jagam and G. K. Muecke,
    Third European Conference on Analytical Chemistry, EUROANALYSIS III,
    Dublin, Ireland, 1978, p347,
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 57 (1980) 147-155.

    IV. Nuclear Structure

    · Decay of 187W,
    K. Subba Rao, P. Ila, K. Sudhakar, K. Premchand, K. L. Narasimham and V. Lakshminarayana,
    Dept. of Atomic Energy, Proceedings of Nuclear Physics and Solid State Physics Symposium, India, 17B (1974) 35-37.

    · On the decay of 125Sb,
    K. Subba Rao, P. Ila, K. Sudhakar, K. L. Narasimham and V. Lakshminarayana,
    Current Science (India) 43 (1974) 176-177.

    · Negative parity states of 195Au,
    P. Ila and V. Lakshminarayana,
    Dept. of Atomic Energy, Proceedings of Nuclear Physics and Solid State Physics
    Symposium (India), 16B (1973) 172-173.


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    October 22, 2003
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