EDUCATION
Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI
Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering, GPA: 3.83 Expected April 2015
Thesis: The Study of Hydroxylammonium Nitrate’s decomposition and vaporization under vacuum conditions.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, GPA: 3.41 Graduated April 2014
WORK EXPERIENCE
Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI September 2014 to Present
Graduate Research Assistant – Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments
* Researching the decomposition of ionic liquids through an Air Force Office of Scientific Research grant using new experimental techniques to determine resultant gaseous species to fuel electric propulsion devices
* Built a class A 40W RF power amplifier and the resonant circuit to create inductively coupled plasmas for various lab experiments
* Designed and purchased 2x2-ft cylindrical vacuum chamber and equipment for high vacuum space environment research
* Mentored undergraduate students on vacuum technology, space environment testing, electric propulsion, and systems integration to aid in the design of a small satellite.
Air Force Research Laboratory – Edwards, CA June 2015 to August 2015
Intern – In-Space Propulsion Branch
* Performed decomposition experiments of energetic propellants to study resultant gaseous components to feed an electric propulsion device
* Studied RF power and resonant circuits to aid in the design of an energetic propellant break down system and electric propulsion devices
* Investigated unknown gas species using Residual Gas Analysis and Optical Emission Spectroscopy alongside chemical equilibrium code
* Assisted in the setup of a Field Reversed Configuration plasma source by machining parts and testing RF power system
NASA Glenn Research Center – Cleveland, OH June 2014 to August 2014
Intern – Space Propulsion Team
* Developed testing procedure to verify Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) hardware for Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM) including the Asteroid Redirect Mission and Mars re-supply missions
* Built an in-situ, infrared based, thermal imaging diagnostic tool to characterize various thruster surfaces to help develop a thermal model for the 12.5-kW Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS)
* Designed and conducted tests to develop new heating elements to be used in the in-situ calibration array for the infrared camera unit
* Built and setup plasma plume diagnostic probe motion system for thruster characterization and performance testing
Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI September 2013 to June 2014
Lab Assistant – Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments
* Conducted Boron Nitride erosion study using spectroscopy to determine erosion characteristics for magnetically shielded Hall thrusters
* Designed and fabricated steel stand to support a 5x6-ft cylindrical vacuum chamber and allows for a 2x3-ft rolling section
* Created LabVIEW program to control motorized positioning tables to increase data acquisition speed and accuracy
Meijer – Kalamazoo, MI May 2011 to August 2012
Photo and Electronics Team Member – Meijer Photo Lab ...
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