Michelle Sestak

Biography

Dr. Michelle Sestak joined HORIBA in 2012 after earning a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Toledo. She specialized in spectroscopic ellipsometry for cadmium telluride thin-film solar cells. Starting as a thin film applications scientist, she later expanded into Raman spectroscopy and now works as a Raman and thin films applications scientist.

Articles by Michelle Sestak

In the Pharmaceutical Technology article, "Raman Spectroscopy—A Game-Changer in the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs," readers will discover how Raman spectroscopy provides a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective solution to the global threat of counterfeit medications. The piece explains how this analytical technique utilizes the inelastic scattering of light to create a unique molecular fingerprint, allowing investigators to accurately identify fraudulent drugs without even opening their packaging.

In pharmaceutical formulation, combining Laser Diffraction (LD) with Particle Correlated Raman Spectroscopy (PCRS) allows researchers to move beyond bulk physical measurements to gain chemically resolved insights into multi-component blends. While LD establishes the overall volume-weighted particle size distribution, PCRS utilizes Raman identification and automated imaging to reveal exactly which chemical components occupy those size ranges.

Resolving complex molecular interactions without disrupting cellular integrity is a primary challenge in analyzing Cellular Signaling Pathways. By implementing cutting-edge optical and analytical instrumentation, laboratories can overcome the structural limitations of traditional biochemical assays and fixed-cell microscopy.

Raman spectroscopy is a transformative tool because it offers a unique combination of rapid, non-destructive, and highly sensitive characterization. It provides specific molecular fingerprints that allow manufacturers to streamline critical aspects of drug development, from raw material identification to final product release.

As the global demand for smartphones, medical devices, and clean energy components soars, recovering precious metals from e-waste—a process known as urban mining—has become critical to maintaining a sustainable supply chain.

The following FAQ summarizes the transformative role of Raman spectroscopy in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As the industry faces the dual pressures of rapid commercialization and strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), traditional quality control methods create bottlenecks through delayed, reactive analysis. Raman spectroscopy offers a solution.

Advanced spectroscopy has become the cornerstone of innovation for carbon-based energy technologies, particularly in the development of lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. By utilizing these analytical probes, researchers can now identify the exact moment degradation begins at the molecular level.

Raman spectroscopy, combined with advanced chemometric modeling, is a rapid, non-invasive, and non-destructive technique for comprehensively characterizing biological products. By generating unique molecular fingerprints, it allows manufacturers to monitor protein stability, metabolic shifts in bioreactors, and trace contaminants with high sensitivity and minimal sample preparation.

Sustainable packaging materials, especially bioplastics and recycled polymers, must prove that they are both environmentally viable and functionally reliable. It is not enough for packaging to be greener; the material must also meet real-world requirements for quality, durability, consistency, and compliance.

Other Resources by Author Michelle Sestak

Zhu Y, Berger RF, Shen S, Sestak M, et al. Effect of reduced dimensionality on the optical band gap of SrTiO3. Appl Phys Lett. 2013.

Sestak M. How spectroscopy is revolutionizing batteries, fuel cells, and corrosion protection. AM&P Tech Artic. 2025.

Sestak MN. Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Studies of Cadmium Sulfide/Cadmium Telluride Thin Films and Photovoltaic Devices. 2012.

Sestak M. How recycling turns e-waste into gold standard resources. AM&P Tech Artic. 2026.

Desireddy A, Joshi CP, Sestak M, Little S, Kumar S, et al. Wafer-scale self-assembled plasmonic thin films. Thin Solid Films. 2011.

Chen J, Li J, Thornberry C, Sestak MN, et al. Through-the-glass spectroscopic ellipsometry of CdTe solar cells. Paper presented at: 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2009.

Chen J, Huang Z, Dahal LR, Sestak MN, et al. Quantum efficiency simulations from on-line compatible mapping of thin-film solar cells. Paper presented at: 2011 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2011.

Li J, Chen J, Sestak MN, Thornberry C, et al. Spectroscopic ellipsometry studies of thin film CdTe and CdS: from dielectric functions to solar cell structures. Paper presented at: 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2009.

Li J, Chen J, Sestak MN, et al. Optics of CdS/CdTe thin-film photovoltaics. IEEE J Photovolt. 2011.

Huang Z, Chen J, Sestak MN, et al. Optical mapping of large area thin film solar cells. Paper presented at: 2010 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2010.

Li J, Collins RW, Sestak MN, Koirala P, et al. Spectroscopic ellipsometry. In: Techniques for Thin Film... Wiley; 2016.

Huang Z, Attygalle D, Sestak MN, et al. Application of real time spectroscopic ellipsometry for analysis of roll-to-roll fabrication of Si:H solar cells on polymer substrates. Paper presented at: 2010 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2010.

Sestak MN, Li J, Chen J, et al. Effects of as-deposited CdTe microstructure on solar cell performance. Paper presented at: 2010 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2010.

Sainju D, Li J, Podraza NJ, Sestak MN, et al. Comparison of Al/ZnO and Ag/ZnO interfaces of back-reflectors for thin film Si∶H photovoltaics. Paper presented at: 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2009.

Sestak MN, Li J, Paudel NR, Wieland K, et al. Real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry of sputtered CdTe thin films: effect of Ar pressure on structural evolution and photovoltaic performance. MRS Online Proc Libr. 2009.

Chen J, Aryal P, Li J, Sestak MN, et al. Through-the-glass spectroscopic ellipsometry of superstrate solar cells and large area panels. Paper presented at: 2011 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2011.

Huang Z, Koirala P, Aryal P, Sestak MN, et al. Optical metrology of thin film solar cells from 0.2 to 30 µm. Paper presented at: 2010 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2010.

Sestak MN, Yan L, Eypert C. Spectroscopic ellipsometry characterization of thin film photovoltaic materials and devices. Paper presented at: 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2013.

Crowley KM, Gottlieb MS, Sestak M, et al. Decoupling the effects of interfacial chemistry and grain size in perovskite stability. Paper presented at: 2021 IEEE 48th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; 2021.

Collins RW, Li J, Sestak MN, Marsillac S. Polarized light metrology for thin-film photovoltaics: research and development scale processes. Photovolt Int. 2011.

Marsillac S, Sestak MN, Li J, et al. Spectroscopic ellipsometry. In: Techniques for Thin Film Photovoltaics. Wiley; 2011.

Sestak M, Skuza J, et al. Optical and magneto-optical properties of composite noble-metal-ferromagnetic thin films. Paper presented at: APS March Meeting; 2007.

Ash S, Dahal L, Sestak M, Collins R, et al. Improving the a-Si:H and nc-Si:H back reflectors modeled with ZnO stacks. Paper presented at: APS Ohio Sections; 2009.

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