Dr. Hight Walker is project leader at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she began her career as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in 1994. Her research focuses on advancing optical spectroscopic techniques and specifically their applicability to characterize quantum nanomaterials.
Dr. Hight Walker’s research team has developed resonance Raman capabilities and unique hyphenated Raman techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM)-Raman and magneto-Raman, where the samples are probed as a function of laser wavelength, temperature, magnetic field and back gating. She applies these novel measurement capabilities to study the underlying photophysics of nanomaterials, specifically noble and transition metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene and other 2D materials resulting in over 140 publications and 3800 citations. The future focus of Dr. Hight Walker’s effort is pushing the forefront of optical methods to characterize the magnetic phenomenon in layered systems.
Angela is actively involved in international documentary standards activities focused on nanotechnology, leading the US technical committee on Measurement and Characterization to ISO TC229. Also, she is an enthusiastic member of two VAMAS committees, TWA 41 and 42, where several international round robin studies are underway to validate measurement protocols. Finally, Dr. Hight Walker leads a team composed of experts from the National Metrology Institutes concerned with enabling SI-traceable, Raman measurements.
An issue of great importance to Dr. Hight Walker is encouraging the young and underrepresented to participate in science. Through on and offsite demonstrations and lectures, she activity engages in promoting the excitement of science. Recruiting, promoting and mentoring undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers is a passion. Angela has hosted 14 NRC postdoctoral fellows and countless students in her lab during her 25-year career at NIST.
Angela is also active in the American Physical Society, having held leadership roles throughout the Topical Group on Measurement and Instrumentation. Also, she co-organized the APS 2014 Women in Physics conference which was jointly sponsored by the University of Maryland and NIST and will do so again in January 2020.