@fernsulantay

CV

Fernanda Sulantay Vargas

Fernanda.vargas@yale.edu | CT, USA |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernanda-sulantay-vargas/

SUMMARY

More than 7 years of academic lab experience and 4 years of experience of social media marketing, and conference management skills; industrial experience in Lam Research and Collins Aerospace. Trained and skilled in computer simulations; strong problem solving and data analysis skills; successfully founded and managed conferences, raising significant funds and attracting large audiences. Adept at creating engaging social media content and leveraging online platforms to connect with diverse audiences.

Selected competencies include:

Molecular Dynamic Simulations, Statistical Mechanics, Simulation Software Proficiency, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Thermodynamic & Kinetic of Phase Transitions, Crystallization Processes, Nucleation Theory, Event Planning and Management, Content Creation and Digital Marketing, Public Speaking and Presentation

SKILLS

Modeling Software – Molecular Dynamics codes (LAMMPS)
Visualization – simulations visualization (INJAVIS and OVITO)
C++ – advanced level: object-oriented programming (OOP) for software development
Python – advanced level: data analysis and visualization (NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn, SciPy, LMFIT, MDAnalysis, Jupyter Notebooks)
MATLAB – advanced level: data analysis and visualization
RStudio – intermediate level: data analysis
High-Performance Computing (HPC) – advanced level: proficiency in running simulations on HPC clusters using SLURM and MPI
Languages – English (Full Proficiency), Spanish (Native)

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Yale University, New Haven, CT
Researcher, Haji-Akbari Group (August 2020 – Present)

  • Conducted computational research on molecular dynamics and advanced sampling techniques to simulate heterogeneous crystal nucleation on nano-patterned surfaces using LAMMPS and in-house software.
  • Analyzed data with Python, C/C++, and MATLAB; visualized data using INJAVIS.

Lam Research, Fremont, CA
Process Engineer (June – August 2021)

  • Implemented automated characterization of backside wafer images using Neural Networks (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn).

Randstad Technologies (Collins Aerospace), Windsor, CT
Project Engineer (August 2019 – April 2020)

  • Ensured supplier commit compliance using Excel and SAP, collaborating with multiple offices to expedite deliveries.

Triumph Group, Windsor, CT
Expediter (June – August 2019)

  • Supported planning in the engineering department by managing demand planning production and procurement logs.

Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
Research Assistant (June – August 2018)

  • Conducted structural and functional analysis of yeast K+ translocation systems using molecular dynamics simulations and YASARA software.

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Research Assistant (August 2017 – May 2019)

  • Characterized nanoparticle formulations and developed screening methods using Zetasizer and Flow Cytometry.

QuestGlobal, Windsor, CT
Project Engineer (January 2017 – January 2018)

  • Managed material logistics to ensure delivery assurance of electrical parts, utilizing Excel and SAP.

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Research Assistant (June – August 2017)

  • Investigated the use of nanocarriers for encapsulating hydrophobic actives and documented findings in a scientific report/poster.

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET2), West Hartford, CT
Engineering Student Team Member (January 2015 – May 2017)

  • Assisted in various engineering projects, including 3D printing, interface design, and PCB design.

EDUCATION

Yale University, New Haven, CT
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Expected May 2026)
M.S. & M.Phil. in Chemical Engineering (December 2023)

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude & Honors (May 2020)

Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT
A.S. in Engineering Science, Summa Cum Laude & Honors (December 2016)

LEADERSHIP & OTHER EXPERIENCE

@fernsulantay, Online
Speaker & Social Media Content Creator (January 2020 – Present)

InspiraSTEM, El Salvador
Conference Co-Founder (July 2025)

  • Co-founded a conference for STEM university students in El Salvador, expecting an attendance of 100 students.
  • In the process of planning a 3-day event featuring technical workshops in physics, computing, and biology, seminars, a poster session, a networking session with participation from major companies.

Empowered Engineers, Online
Conference Founder (October 2021)

  • Founded an online conference for female engineering students, raising $30K+ and attracting 800+ attendees.
  • Managed a weeklong event featuring seminars, workshops, engineering challenges, and a career fair with participation from major companies.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Eduexplora Instructor: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning
Designed and taught a 2-week course on AI, ML, DL concepts and coding workshops.
Eduexplora Instructor: Engineering for a Sustainable Future
Taught a 1-week course on environmental engineering concepts and their applications to the design process.
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chemical Engineering Process Design (CENG 416 01)
Undergraduate Math Tutor: Algebra, Calculus I, II, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra

CERTIFICATIONS

  • SEAS Advanced Graduate Leadership Program, Yale University (present)
  • Data Science Bootcamp, Tech Talent South
  • FEBS Advanced Course: Ligand-Binding Theory and Practice, The Academy of Science of The Czech Republic
  • Visegrad Symposium on Structural Systems Biology, International Visegrad Fund

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS

  • 2022 Rising Star in STEM Nominee, LatinaGeeks
  • 2021 NSF GRFP Fellowship (16% acceptance rate)
  • 2021 GEM Fellowship
  • 2019 NELSAMP Undergraduate Research Symposium Poster Presentation, 1st Place
  • All-CT Academic Team Member (Acceptance rate: 2 students per college in CT)
  • Manchester Community College Scholarship Recipient (4 times)
  • Minority Caucus Scholarship Recipient
  • OxyGEN Scholarship Recipient by AT&T
  • President-to-President Scholarship Recipient
  • CALAHE Scholarship Recipient (2017, 2018)