M. P. Grindle, PhD
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Matthew P. Grindle, PhD

Physical Chemist · NMR Specialist · Enhanced Oil Recovery Researcher

I apply low-field NMR spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging to real-world problems in subsurface fluid behavior, from pore-scale physics to enhanced oil recovery.

matthew.p.grindle@gmail.com (513) 437-6332 Pittsburgh, PA
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Professional Summary

I am a physical chemist specializing in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In my current position as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), I apply low-field NMR spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) research. I use my skills to develop experimental and analytical methods for high-pressure studies of CO2, natural gas, water, and surfactant injection in unconventional reservoir rocks, including shales, carbonates, and caprocks. My record of cross-disciplinary research, conference publication, mentoring, and laboratory instruction inform my perspective in developing methodology for quantifying multiphase fluid saturation, pore structure, wettability, and transport behavior.

Core Expertise

Low-Field NMR & MRI T1 / T2 Relaxometry CO₂ Huff-and-Puff EOR Shale Characterization High-Pressure Core Analysis Multiphase Fluid Saturation NMR / EPR Spectroscopy Python MATLAB Linux & Bash

Professional Experience

2025 – Present
Postdoctoral Fellow
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), US DOE · Pittsburgh, PA
  • Serve as the NMR subject-matter expert for petroleum, geologic materials, and subsurface-energy research.
  • Develop low-field NMR and MRI methods to quantify porosity, pore-size distributions, fluid saturation, wettability, and multiphase fluid movement in unconventional reservoir samples.
  • Design and conduct high-pressure enhanced oil recovery experiments using CO₂, natural gas, water, and surfactants, with emphasis on cyclic huff-and-puff recovery from unconventional reservoir rock.
  • Create analysis workflows for relaxation and imaging data to track fluid redistribution, pore-scale transport, and oil recovery throughout injection experiments.
  • Collaborate with federal, university, contractor, and industry partner researchers and communicate results through conference and journal publications.
2019 – 2025
Graduate Research Assistant
Miami University · Oxford, OH
  • Investigated transition-metal complexes and biomolecular systems using NMR, EPR, UV-vis spectroscopy, ICP analysis, X-ray diffraction, and computational modeling.
  • Mentored 6 undergraduate and 2 graduate researchers in spectroscopy, physical chemistry, data analysis, and laboratory methods.
  • Co-authored journal manuscripts and presented research at 7 scientific conferences.
2019 – 2024
Teaching Assistant, General Chemistry
Miami University · Oxford, OH
  • Prepared lectures and laboratory instruction for classes of 20–100 students across five academic years.
  • Coordinated meetings and training for 20 teaching assistants as head teaching assistant to support consistent instruction and laboratory safety.
2017 – 2019
Fermentation Associate
DuPont Industrial Biosciences · Wilmington, DE
  • Operated and supported 24 pilot fermenters for 14 L scale-up experiments in a continuous research environment.
  • Troubleshot Python-based controls and in-house data-tracking systems and coordinated with polymerization and separations laboratories.
2016 – 2017
Analyst
Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. · West Lafayette, IN
  • Conducted GLP pharmaceutical analyses for quality control and stability studies; maintained and troubleshot 15 Agilent HPLC systems.
  • Developed five analytical standard operating procedures for future pharmaceutical studies.
2014 – 2016
Microbiologist
Tate & Lyle · West Lafayette, IN
  • Performed microbiological and environmental monitoring for a corn starch and syrup manufacturing facility, including Listeria surveillance.
2014 – 2015
Student Co-op Chemist
Chemtura Corporation · West Lafayette, IN
  • Characterized bromine-based flame-retardant materials using NMR, HPLC, GPC, Karl Fischer titration, and related analytical methods.
  • Developed TEMPO-radical-based methods for preparing bisphenol-derived flame-retardant candidates.
2014
Quality Management Intern
Cargill · Hammond, IN
  • Conducted chemical quality testing and designed experiments evaluating corn-syrup storage facilities and ion-exchange materials.

Education

2025
PhD, Chemistry
Miami University · Oxford, OH

Dissertation: Structural Dynamics of Inorganic Complexes and Chaperone Proteins Investigated Through NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics

2016
BS, Chemistry
Purdue University · West Lafayette, IN

Publications

2026
Enhanced Oil Recovery Effects of Adding Non-Ionic Surfactants During CO₂ Huff-and-Puff
M. P. Grindle, D. Tapriyal, L. Burrows, and A. Goodman · Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC), Houston, TX
2026
Comparing Huff-N-Puff Oil Recovery in Unconventional Shale Cores with CO₂ Alone Against Low Concentration Solution of 2EH-PO5-EO10 in CO₂ Using NMR Spectroscopy
M. P. Grindle, D. Tapriyal, L. C. Burrows, R. Enick, and A. Goodman · SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, OK
2024
NMR Observation of Three Interconverting Structures in TpPh,Me Cobalt(II) Nitrate
M. P. Grindle, V. Batra, and D. L. Tierney · European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
2023
Field- and Temperature-Dependent Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements in Co(II) Trispyrazolylmethanes
N. D. Kumarage, A. R. Marts, M. P. Grindle, J. C. Kaine, L. A. Crandall, W.-Y. Chen, C. J. Ziegler, and D. L. Tierney · Inorganic Chemistry
2021
Structural Communication between the E. coli Chaperones DnaK and Hsp90
M. P. Grindle, B. Carter, J. P. Alao, K. Connors, R. Tehver, and A. N. Kravats · International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Selected Presentations

Jun 2026
Enhanced Oil Recovery Effects of Adding Non-Ionic Surfactants During CO₂ Huff-and-Puff
Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC), Houston, TX
Nov 2023
Solution NMR Magnetic Axis Direction of 4/5-Coordinate Co(II) Complexes
Graduate Research Forum, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Apr 2023
NMR Relaxation Dynamics of 4/5-Coordinate Co(II) Complexes
Experimental NMR Conference (ENC), Pacific Grove, CA
Mar 2023
Solution Dynamics of 4/5-Coordinate Cobalt Complexes
American Chemical Society, Indianapolis, IN
Nov 2022
Physical Electronic Dynamics in Five-Coordinate Cobalt(II)
Ohio Inorganic Weekend, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Nov 2022
Solution Dynamics of Co-Based Single-Ion Magnets
Graduate Research Forum, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Jan 2021
Computational Modeling of the Modulation of Hsp70 by Hsp90
Midwest Stress Response and Molecular Chaperones, Virtual
Nov 2020
Modeling the Modulation of Hsp90 by Hsp70
Graduate Research Forum, Miami University, Oxford, OH

Awards & Leadership

2026
National Laboratory Research SLAM Finalist
National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy
2022–2024
Graduate Student Advocate
Miami University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
2022–2023
Outstanding Teaching Assistant
Miami University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
2022
Three Minute Thesis Finalist
Miami University Graduate School

Science Outreach

Feb 2026
Question Judge — Western Pennsylvania Science Bowl
National Energy Technology Laboratory
May 2024
Presenter — International Day of Light
Cincinnati Museum Center · Led chromatography experiments for ~100 parents and students
2022–23
Presenter — Talawanda Science Week
Miami University · Hands-on science experiments for elementary school children
2022–23
Presenter — Grandparents College
Miami University · Introductory forensic science experiments