Mechanical Engineer Assistant

EDUCATION

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering GPA *.**/4.00

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL May 2018

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering GPA 4.00/4.00

St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA May 2016

WORK EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant Nov. 2017 – present

Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, University of Florida

●Synthesizing a reduced order model of the nonlinear composite plate mechanics of a Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) based piezoelectric dynamic pressure sensor, verifying the model via Abaqus FEA software and implementing the model in a MATLAB-based constrained nonlinear optimization for the sensor design

●Developing a novel reciprocity-based dynamic calibration technique to enable sensor frequency response estimates up to a 1 MHz using a scanning micro-laser vibrometer

●Developing my own process for microfabrication of copper through-silicon vias (TSVs) for flush-mounted packaging

●Created a microfabrication process sequence and associated photolithographic mask steps to realize the sensor

●Attended 1-week National Instruments LabVIEW training course

●Mentored younger students and primary school teachers on summer projects

New Product Development Intern May 2019 – Aug 2019

Exactech, Inc., Gainesville, Fl

●Identified design input requirements for a mechanical pressurization device intended to inflate intra-articular bellows during knee arthroplasty up to a defined input pressure and then maintain said defined input pressure within a defined pressure tolerance

●Independently developed clear list of design controls and project goals for summer

●Designed and prototyped both passively and actively controlled pneumatic circuits that maintained pseudo-constant pressure in the bellows (within a defined tolerance), regardless of knee joint space

●Coordinated with mechanical designer and prototype shop staff to realize functional mechanical frame prototypes that would allow said pneumatic circuits to appropriately transmit forces to the knee joint space

●Oversaw development and operation of a fully functional, passively controlled prototype that was used by surgeons in a cadaver laboratory at the University of Florida Psychomotor and Surgical Skills Laboratory

●Wrote test protocol for device characterization by examining past design control and testing procedures and implementing appropriate revisions and additions

●Communicated with vendors and manufacturers to identify future partners for device manufacturing

●Identified potential sensing and actuation methods for actively controlled device prototypes

●Formulated numerous examples of modes of realization of a unique mechanical pressurization device for a patent application

●Created a comprehensive, detailed design aid document to ensure smooth hand-off of the project to other engineers within the company and its subsidiaries

Graduate Research Assistant Aug 2016 – Dec 2017

GatorBAIT Lab, University of Florida

●Oversaw design, build, calibration, and implementation of real-time cell-stretching system

●Supervised development of soft-matter tensile testing system to measure mechanical properties of hydrogels

●Maintained dermal fibroblast cell cultures, selected/designed appropriate assays relating to mechanobiology

●Designed and fabricated acrylic and silicon/SU-8 molds for PDMS molding & soft-lithography of hydrogels

●Analyzed experimental & simulation data using MATLAB, Excel, ImageJ, Abaqus

●Managed two undergraduate students on projects relating to dynamic cell and nucleus stretching experiments

Research & Design Intern May 2015 – Aug 2015

MADE Program, Minneapolis VA Health Care System

●Worked in a team of five engineers to develop patent-pending adjustable ankle-foot prosthesis

●Utilized SolidWorks and solid mechanics knowledge to create material testing device for prosthetic ankle components & two adjustable prosthetic ankle designs

●Worked with machinist to realize prosthetic ankle prototypes capable of bearing weight for testing

●Investigated the use of eye-tracking glasses in assisted communication for patients

PROJECTS

Development of a MEMS Ultrasonic Transducer for Gesture Recognition Spring 2018

University of Florida, Design of MEMS Transducers course project

●Lead a team of four students to create a device design, fabrication process flow, and packaging plan for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) array

●Optimized device design through use of lumped element modelling, acoustic modelling, and MATLAB optimization tools

●Prepared and delivered a detailed design report & oral presentation to students and faculty

Patient-specific Instrumentation for Osteochondral Allografting Fall 2017 – Spring 2019

University of Florida, Multi-Department project

●Worked in a team of ten students to identify open-source software to generate 3D models of bone from patient CT scans and create patient-specific cutting guides for surgeons

●Designed patient-specific, 3D printable cutting guide in SolidWorks for patient femoral head resurfacing for experimental investigation by veterinarians at University of Florida

●Used the Mimics/Materialize software suite to refine cutting guide designs while working in team of six students

●Collaborated on the design & modelling of 2 patient-specific cutting guides successfully used for canine femoral correction at University of Florida veterinary hospital

●Utilized SolidWorks CAD software to create easily-modifiable parametric models of a blood vessel shunt and custom x-ray centering attachment for use by the University of Florida veterinarians

●Manuscript submitted for publication from this work

Study Abroad Design Project

St. Ambrose University & Sweet Briar University, USA; UESC, Brazil Summer 2015

●Collaborated with a team of students from multiple universities on the design of a transportable, adjustable training kitchen for delivery to a Brazilian rehabilitation clinic

●Developed team leadership and long-distance communication skills

●Studied the society, technology, and politics of Brazil in a 2-week immersive course, including basics of Brazilian culture and Portuguese language while living with host

●Prototyped and delivered kitchen to clinic in underprivileged area of Itabuna, identified areas for future improvement

SKILLS

Software: SolidWorks, CREO/ProE, AutoCAD, Mimics Suite, Abaqus, ImageJ, SPICE

Programming: MATLAB, Arduino, Java, LabVIEW

Prototyping: Photolithography & Microfabrication, Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, Electroplating, Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) composite manufacturing

ACADEMIC AWARDS/HONORS

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Summer 2017 – present

Graduate Student Fellowship – University of Florida Fall 2016 – present

Ambrose Scholar (full-tuition) – St. Ambrose University Fall 2012 – Spring 2016

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