Resume

Masters of Science, Mechanical Engineering: Spring 2025

GPA: 3.850

University of Nevada, Reno

Bachelors of Science, Mechanical Engineering: Spring 2023

Minor in Mathematics

GPA: 3.828

Green Valley High School

While pursuing my experience on the modeling, estimation, and experimentation of shape-morphing plates, I became lonely working in the basement for hours at a time. I decided that I wanted a buddy and developed this cat. It took me about a week to get the first model up and running but through multiple iterations it became the more polished version it is today. 

I have long struggled with the fact that much of people's great knowledge and perspectives are fleeting as time progresses. I sought to build a full stack digital twin to prove the concept of personal legacy in the AI age. The ESP32 securely uploads audio via wifi and follows a cloud pipeline for transcription and ingestion into an OpenAI agent builder.

My thesis focused on the numerical modeling, analysis, and experimental validation of nonlinear shape-morphing plates. I split the work into three main parts. First, I modeled the system’s nonlinear dynamics using an equivalent Duffing oscillator to interpret FEA frequency response data. I used least squares and numerical optimization to extract system parameters and run simulations.

In the second part, I built a machine learning framework to explore the design space more efficiently. I tested different models and found “Bagged Trees” worked best for this application. I trained it on randomized parameter data and used it to compare against FEA results for validation.

The final section covered experimental work using Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs) to actuate flexible plates. I tested multiple actuation architectures and found that two MFCs on an aluminum substrate outperformed single-MFC setups by over 5x in displacement amplitude. I also optimized material and shape, eventually settling on an A-30 silicone rubber plate inspired by an “emarginate tail” design. Through embedded MFCs, I was able to reduce displacement by up to 31%, increase it by 200% via constructive interference, and shift resonant frequencies dynamically. The results confirmed that shape-morphing could be achieved both numerically and physically, marking the first experimental demo of this system.

This one’s exactly what it sounds like—a night vision motion tracking system built using infrared and high exposure to capture images in the dark. I used a Raspberry Pi to process the feed and ran the YOLO (You Only Look Once) machine learning algorithm to detect and track people. Once someone leaves a designated area, a servo motor kicks in and moves accordingly. The end goal? To mount this setup inside a mannequin head for use in a haunted house—specifically Dark Corner Haunted House, where I worked. The project’s still in development, though—turns out the Raspberry Pi 3B’s 1GB of RAM is a major bottleneck, limiting the frame refresh rate to once per second, which is too slow for what I need. But it’s getting there. 

Over the spring of 2023, I was the creator of a capstone project that I theorized about in my heat transfer course. The main idea was that, instead of typical cooling methods using water running over the surface in a turbulent fashion, this system would utilize the vortex friction to cool a system. This project was designed and developed with a group of 7 senior engineers, and we ended up creating a 284-page report on the project. Unfortunately, no concrete results were found from the real system due to inadequate heating systems to test the cooler.

Within my vibrations course, I created and conducted an experiment to test the additive and destructive qualities of out-of-phase speakers. Throughout the process of the experiment, I saw and heard firsthand noise cancellation using a function generator. While the conclusion was not novel, with a trend showing the truth in noise cancellation, I was able to determine that there is a field of noise interactions, as compared to a single result of cancellation or not. The end goal of these experimental processes is to create a soundproof dining area in the open air.

A key role in the development of ASME by creating flyers using Microsoft office, communicating with engineering companies, and maintaining recruitment through a social media page. Developing skills in machine shop working and 3d modeling. Immediately placed in a leadership position of vice president. 

This project started after seeing a neighbor’s Christmas setup—flashing lights perfectly synced to music, with a sign that said, “Tune into 102.3.” When I did, the lights and music lined up and gave me goosebumps. I wanted that same effect for my apartment window. The plan was to use a set of 16x16 LED panels to play 8-bit-style animations synced to music, broadcast over a custom FM channel.

After a lot of frustration, Excel headaches, and trial-and-error, I found a program that could convert GIF inputs into Arduino-ready code. For the audio side, I got a transmitter and a soundboard to store and play music. That’s when I hit a roadblock: turns out iPhones can’t tune into FM radio, even with apps. The project stalled—until I got my hands on Bluetooth microcontrollers that could beam audio directly to phones.

Version 1 is mostly complete now. I scrapped the FM idea and used WLED (a newer program) to control the lights, building a synced light show and projecting it out of my lab window at the university. I had to deconstruct the setup for a move, but it worked—and it looked great. A 3D-printed enclosure has been made since then with the same concept.