Bring in a Qualified, Experienced, and Passionate Professional

The Owner

Owner & Founder

Harold Lee III, Ph.D.

Dr. Harold Lee currently serves as a National Security Analyst at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) where he uses his technical expertise to solve some of the nation’s most challenging problems. Dr. Lee’s technical expertise includes the fabrication of nanomaterials, additive manufacturing using nanomaterials, fabrication & testing of novel composites, materials for extreme thermal, chemical, & radiation environments, and organic electronic materials & devices. Prior to joining APL, Dr. Lee did stints at Sandia National Labs, Northrop Grumman, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Norfolk State University (NSU) under the mentorship of Dr. Sam Sun. Dr. Lee’s research has led to 50+ presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals, at scientific conferences in both unclassified and classified domains. His unique skills and knowledge have supported fundamental research & development, the Intelligence Community, and National Security. Dr. Lee also stays involved in the scientific community by remaining an active member of numerous professional societies such as NOBCChE, ACS, NSBE, MRS, and SPIE. Dr. Lee’s passion for science and reaching back to the next generation continues to push him to excel and help anywhere he can in his community. His efforts have been recognized at Sandia National Labs by receiving an Employee Recognition Award (ERA) and a SPOT award for these efforts, the Commissioner of the MEAC, and the Portsmouth Public School system. He is also a six-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy | July 2018 | Norfolk State University

  • Major: Materials Science and Engineering/ GPA 3.913

  • Dissertation: Investigation of A Series of Doped P3HT Composites for Thermoelectric and Photoelectric Conversions;

  • Advisor: Dr. Sam-Shajing Sun

Master of Science | December 2017 | Norfolk State University

  • Major: Materials Science/ GPA 3.862

  • Thesis: Investigation of Iodine Doping of Optoelectronic Polymer Systems

Bachelor of Science | May 2014 | Old Dominion University

  • Major: Chemistry

Professional Memberships

  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

  • American Chemical Society (ACS)

  • National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)

  • Materials Research Society (MRS)

  • Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Awards & Honors

  • BEYA 2025 Science Spectrum Trailblazer

  • BEYA 2024 Modern-Day Technology Leader

  • Sandia National Laboratories SPOT Award 2021 for Building Relationships with Norfolk State University

  • Sandia National Laboratories Employee Recognition Award 2021 for Diversity & Inclusion (START-HBCU)

  • 2018 Graduate Student Association Outstanding Achievement Award (Ph.D.)

  • 2017 Graduate Student Association Outstanding Achievement Award (M.S.)

  • Academic Research Leadership Symposium (ARLS) at the Annual Convention of NSBE

  • Virginia Tech Future Faculty Development Program (2018)

  • Golden Key International Honour Society

  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund 2017 Leadership Institute

  • Advancing Science Travel Grant for NOBCChE 2017 and 2018

  • Recipient of the ERN 2017 Travel Award

  • NREL HOPE 2017

  • 3x Recipient of Autobell Scholarship

  • Dean’s List

  • Virginia Boys State of the American Legion, 66th Session

Volunteer Work

  • JHU APL NSAD Action Team Lead

  • Sandia National Laboratories HBCU Recruiting Team

  • Abstract Reviewer for NOBCChE Annual Conferences

  • Boys to Men Mentorship Program

  • NSF-CREST Undergraduate Research Supervisor

  • NSF-CREST Summer Research Mentor

  • USMCR Toys for Tots Program

  • 1. Bregman, A.; Lee, H.O.; Ringgold, M.; Davis-Wheeler, C.; Manning, K.; Monterrosa, A.; Cook, A.; Hattar, K..; Treadwell, L. J. Systematic Characterization of the Irradiation Stability of Additively Manufactured Boron Carbide-Containing Epoxy Nanocomposites. In progress for submission to Materials Research Letters. April 2022.

    2. Bregman, A.; Lee, H.O.; Hernandez, P.; Reyes, A.; Oluwalowo, A.; Sweat, R.; Nicholas, J.; Treadwell, L. J. Influence of H-Boron Nitride on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Out-Of-Autoclave Manufactured Silica Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites. Submitted to Composites Part B: Engineering. April 2022.

    3. Lee, H.O.; Vallejos, A.M.; Santiago, K.; Bregman, A.B.; Treadwell, L. J. Investigating the Electrical Response of Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites for Sensor Development in Extreme Environments. In progress for submission to Nanocomposites. April 2022.

    4. Nicholas, J.; Treadwell, L.J.; Lee, H.O.; Meinders, R.; Chandrashekhara, K.; Hilmas. G.; Castano, C. Dry Press Polymer Infiltration & Pyrolysis Fabrication Process of SiC/SiCf Composites for Nuclear Applications. In progress for submission to Composites Part B: Engineering. April 2022.

    5. Lee, H.O., Treadwell, L.J. & Sun, SS. Understanding the relationship between frontier orbital level offsets to optoelectronic and electronic properties of doped P3HT-based composites. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-022-09148-y

    6. Lee, H.O.; Vallejos, A.M.; Rimsza, J.M.; Davis-Wheeler Chin, C.; Ringgold, M.; Nicholas, J.R.; Treadwell, L. J. Understanding the Effects of Polar and Non-Polar Surfactants on the Oxidation Performance of Copper Nanoparticles. J Mater Sci (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07021-1

    7. SAND Report, Nitrogen Enhanced Super Refractory Carbides (SRC) for Extreme Environment Consequences, LDRD

    8. SAND Report, Autonomous Smart Device for Weapon Response in Hostile Nuclear Environment, LDRD

    9. SAND Report, High-Z Nanometal-Filled Hybrid Materials for 3D-Printed Modular Shield, LDRD

    10. Thomas, D., Lee, H. O., Santiago, K. C., Pelzer, M., Kuti, A., Treadwell, L. J., & Bahoura, M. (2022). Europium doping of cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots via rapid microwave synthesis for optoelectronic applications. Dalton Transactions, 2022, 51, 264 - 273.https://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT02920G

    11. Lee, H. O.; Caraballa, P. H.; Bregman, A. G.; Bell, N. S.; Nicholas, J. R.; Ringgold, M.; Treadwell, L. J.

    Fabrication of Tantalum and Hafnium Carbide Fibers via ForcespinningTM for Ultrahigh-Temperature Applications. Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2021, 2021, 6672746. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/667274.

    12. Davis-Wheeler Chin, C.; Lee, H. O.; Griego, J. J. M.; Treadwell, L. J. Liquid Crystalline Behavior and Photoluminescence of Lanthanide Decanoate Nanoparticles Synthesized by Microwave Radiation. Dalt. Trans. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT04352D.

    13. Kogo, G.; Xiao, B.; Danquah, S.; Lee, H.; Niyogushima, J.; Yarbrough, K.; Candadai, A.; Marconnet, A.; Pradhan, S. K.; Bahoura, M. A Thin Film Efficient Pn-Junction Thermoelectric Device Fabricated by Self- Align Shadow Mask. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10 (1), 1067. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57991-y

    14. Thomas, D.; Lee, H. O.; Santiago, K. C.; Pelzer, M.; Kuti, A.; Jenrette, E.; Bahoura, M. Rapid Microwave Synthesis of Tunable Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) Quantum Dots for Optoelectronic Applications. J. Nanomater. 2020, 2020, 5056875. DOI: 10.1155/2020/5056875

    15. Sun, S-S and Lee, H.O. “Photoelectric and Thermoelectric Dual Modulation Via a Ternary Composite,” Glob. Challenges, vol. 1800077, no. 1, p. 1800077, 2018. DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201800077

    16. Kogo, G.; Lee, H.; Ibrahim, A. H.; Bo, X.; Pradhan, S. K.; Bahoura, M. Highly-Efficient Thermoelectric Pn-Junction Device Based on Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3) and Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) Thin Films Fabricated by RF Magnetron Sputtering Technique. J. Appl. Phys. 2018, 124 (16), 165106.

    17. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. Iodine Doping of P3HT and P3HT/PCBM: Nano Effects and Properties. AIMS Materials Science, 2018, 5(3): 479-493. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2018.3.479

    18. Lee, H. O., Hasib, M. & Sun, S.-S. Proton radiation effects of conjugated polymer thin films. Radiat. Eff. Defects Solids 150, 1–9 (2017). DOI: 10.1080/10420150.2017.1336764

  • 1. Hall, S. R.; Lee, H. O.; Sun, S.-S. Effects of Diiodo-Alkane Additives to P3HT Thin Films for High-Performance Electronic Applications. MRS Adv. 2020, 1–7.

    2. Norman, J. W.; Lee III, H. O., & Sun, S. Thermo-Electro Dual Sensors. 2019, 1109608 (August).

    3. Doswell, F. C.; Lee, H. O.; Montes, J. J.; Sun, S.-S. The Effects of Annealing on Doped P3HT Thin Films for Potential Electronic Applications. MRS Adv. 2019, 4 (31–32), 1787–1792.

    4. Montes, J. J.; Lee, H. O.; Doswell, F. C.; Sun, S.-S. Relationship Between Thermoelectric Properties and Morphology of Doped P3HT Thin Films for Potential Thermoelectric Applications. MRS Adv. 2019, 4 (30), 1727–1732.

    5. Crawford, J.; Lee, H. O.; Sun, S.-S. Optoelectronic and Electronic Properties of Tetracyanoindane for Chemical Doping of Organic Semiconductors. MRS Adv. 2019, 4 (31–32), 1811–1819.

    6. Lee, H.O. and Sun, S.-S., “Photo-Seebeck Effects in Doped P3HT Composites,” MRS Adv., pp. 1–8. doi:10.1557/adv.2019.94

    7. Sun, S. and Lee, H., “Polymer Composites for Potential Multi-Function Devices”, in Organic and Hybrid Sensors and Bioelectronics XI, SPIE Proceeding # 10738-54, 2018.

    8. Lee, H. O.; Sun, S.-S. Correlation of Frontier Orbital Level Offsets and Properties of A Series of Doped P3HTs. Front. Chem. No. 4.

    9. Lee, H. O., Hasib, M. & Sun, S.-S. Proton Radiation Studies on Conjugated Polymer Thin Films. MRS Adv. 1–6 (2017). doi:10.1557/ADV.2017.389

  • 1. Lee, H.O.; Vallejos, A.M.; Rimsza, J.M.; Davis-Wheeler Chin, C.; Ringgold, M.; Nicholas, J.R.; Treadwell, L. J. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance of Coated Copper Nanoparticles in High Humidity and H2S Environments” American Chemical Society Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting: Black Chemists Towards a Brighter Future Technical Symposium, October 20-23, 2021, Tucson, AZ

    2. Lee, H. O. “Organic Electronic Materials for Potential Dual-Conversion/Sensing Applications & Tips for Graduate Study at NSU/CMR: A Student Prospective” Norfolk State University, Center for Materials Research Seminar Series, October 4, 2019, Norfolk, VA

    3. Lee, H. O. “Organic Semiconductors for Multi-Functional Electronic Applications” Sandia National Laboratory, June 11, 2019, Albuquerque, NM

    4. Lee, H. O. “Organic Semiconductors for Multi-Functional Electronic Applications” Air Force Institute of Technology, May 8, 2019, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

    5. Lee, H. O. “Investigation of a Series of Doped P3HT Composites for Thermoelectric and Photoelectric Conversions” Norfolk State University, Center for Materials Research Seminar Series, March 22, 2019, Norfolk, VA

    6. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” Sandia National Laboratories, January 28, 2019, Albuquerque, NM

    7. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” Virginia Tech Future Faculty Development Program, November 27-29, 2018, Blacksburg, VA

    8. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” Norfolk State University Seminar Series for the Department of Electrical Engineering, November 9, 2018, Norfolk, VA

    9. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” Idaho National Laboratories Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, October 30, 2018, Idaho Falls, ID

    10. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” DuPont Tyvek Group, October 23, 2018, Richmond, VA

    11. Lee, H. O. “Polymers for Renewable/Clean Energy Conversion Applications” Intel Corporation, July 19, 2018, Albuquerque, NM

    12. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Iodine Doping Studies of P3HT:PCBM Composites” National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Hands-On Photovoltaic Experience, July 23-29, 2017, Golden, CO

  • 1. Lee, H.O.; Vallejos, A.M.; Rimsza, J.M.; Davis-Wheeler Chin, C.; Ringgold, M.; Nicholas, J.R.; Treadwell, L. J. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance of Coated Copper Nanoparticles in High Humidity and H2S Environments” American Chemical Society Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting: Black Chemists Towards a Brighter Future Technical Symposium, October 20-23, 2021, Tucson, AZ

    2. Lee, H.O.; Vallejos, A.M.; Rimsza, J.M.; Davis-Wheeler Chin, C.; Ringgold, M.; Nicholas, J.R.; Treadwell, L. J. “Understanding the Effects of Polar and Non-Polar Surfactants on the Oxidation Performance of Copper Nanoparticles”, National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference 2021, September 16-18, 2021.

    3. Hall, S.R., Lee, H. O., & Sun, S.-S. “Effects of Diiodo-Alkane Additives to P3HT Thin Films for High Performance Electronic Applications” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, December 1-6, 2019, Boston, MA

    4. Montes, J.J., Lee, H. O., & Sun, S.-S. “Morphological Engineering of P3HT Thin Films via Halogen-Bonding for High-Performance Electronic Applications” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, December 1-6, 2019, Boston, MA

    5. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “N-Doped Organic Acceptors for High-Performance Electronics” National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference, November 18-21, 2019, St. Louis, MO

    6. Hall, S.R., Lee, H. O., & Sun, S.-S. “Effects of Diiodo-Alkane Additives to P3HT Thin Films for High-Performance Electronic Applications” National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference, November 18-21, 2019, St. Louis, MO

    7. Montes, J.J., Lee, H. O., & Sun, S.-S. “Morphological Engineering of P3HT Thin Films via Halogen-Bonding for High-Performance Electronic Applications” National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference, November 18-21, 2019, St. Louis, MO

    8. Doswell, F.C., Lee, H. O., Montes, J.J., & Sun, S.-S. “The Effects of Annealing on Doped P3HT Thin Films for Potential Electronic Applications” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, April 22-26, 2019, Phoenix, AZ

    9. Montes, J.J., Lee, H. O., Doswell, F.C., & Sun, S.-S. “Relationship Between Thermoelectric Properties and Morphology of Doped P3HT Thin Films for Potential Thermoelectric Applications” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, April 22-26, 2019, Phoenix, AZ

    10. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Photo-Seebeck Effects in Doped P3HT Composites” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, November 25-30, 2018, Boston, MA.

    11. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Correlation of Frontier Orbital Level Offsets and Properties of A Series of Doped P3HT” National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference, September 17-20, 2018, Orlando, FL

    12. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Doping Studies of P3HT:PCBM with Iodine” AAAS Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, February 22-24, 2018, Washington D.C.

    13. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Iodine Doping Studies of P3HT:PCBM” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, November 26-December 1, 2017, Boston, MA

    14. Lee, H. O. & Sun, S.-S. “Iodine Doping Studies of P3HT:PCBM” National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference, October 30-November 3, 2017, Minneapolis, MN

    15. Lee, H. O., Hasib, M. & Sun, S.-S. “Proton Irradiation of Conjugated Polymer Thin Films for Space Applications” Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference, April 17-21, 2017, Phoenix, AZ

    16. Lee, H. O., Hasib, M. & Sun, S.-S. “Proton Irradiation of Conjugated Polymer Thin Films for Space Applications” AAAS Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, March 2-4, 2017, Washington D.C.