Featured Formula SAE Project
From One Design to 64 Validated Configurations
I designed and automated a Formula SAE outboard drivetrain that turns nine design inputs into 64 reviewable configurations—with 100+ calculated outputs, strength checks, SKF supplier-part selection, and coordinated CAD updates.
Desktop Bioreactor
Project Overview
Designed and developed a Taylor-Couette vortex bioreactor for the cultivation of Trichodesmium, a marine cyanobacterium responsible for a significant portion of global nitrogen fixation and a critical contributor to ocean ecosystem productivity. The reactor leverages controlled vortex flow to enhance nutrient transport, light exposure, and biomass growth while minimizing cellular stress.
This technology supports ongoing research at the University of Southern California aimed at advancing marine biotechnology and understanding nutrient cycling in ocean environments. Development of these bioreactor systems is a key component of a proposed $1.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) research program currently under review, with an anticipated award decision in September. The project seeks to expand USC’s cultivation capacity through deployment of multiple reactor units, enabling larger-scale studies of Trichodesmium growth, physiology, and ecological impact.
Skills Used: CAD design, prototyping, system design, fluid flow consideration, containment design, interdisciplinary engineering, research-based design, and problem solving.
Mechanical CVT
Project Overview
Designed a hands-on mechanical continuously variable transmission exhibit that demonstrates how changing pulley diameters affects speed ratio. I took a leading role in the project, focusing on the mechanical design and MATLAB analysis used to develop the CVT geometry, cam motion, pulley behavior, and system constraints.
The final design used a V-belt, split pulleys, half-sheaves, follower pins, and a slotted cam mechanism to create smooth ratio changes without traditional fixed gears. This project gave me experience applying machine elements concepts to a real mechanical system while balancing safety, manufacturability, packaging, and educational clarity.
Skills Used: Mechanical design, MATLAB analysis, CAD modeling, CVT design, machine elements, pulley and belt systems, cam mechanism design, design optimization, constraint verification, prototyping, technical leadership, and engineering problem solving.
CFD Analysis of an Airfoil
Project Overview
Led the CFD portion of a fluid mechanics final project analyzing the aerodynamic behavior of a Cessna 172R airfoil. The project focused on the NACA 2412 airfoil and used ANSYS Fluent to simulate airflow around a 2D airfoil profile.
For my section, I prepared the airfoil geometry, created the surrounding fluid domain, refined the mesh near the airfoil surface, and evaluated lift and drag behavior at different angles of attack. I also worked through a grid independence study to compare coarse, medium, and fine meshes and determine whether the simulation results were sufficiently refined. This project gave me hands-on experience connecting fluid mechanics theory to CFD simulation results.
Skills Used: ANSYS Fluent, CFD simulation, airfoil analysis, NACA 2412 geometry, mesh generation, grid independence study, lift and drag analysis, boundary layer consideration, fluid mechanics, aerodynamic analysis, simulation setup, and engineering documentation.
DJ Stand
Project Overview
Designed and built a large-scale custom DJ stand for fraternity events with the goal of creating a structure that was more visually impressive and functional than typical party setups. The final stand reached approximately 8 feet tall and was designed with a target load capacity of up to 2 tons.
For this project, I took a leading role in both the design and construction process. I developed the overall structure, considered load cases, selected woodworking methods, and helped guide a team of three people during the build. The project required a strong understanding of woodworking, structural support, assembly methods, and practical construction constraints.
Skills Used: Woodworking, structural design, load case analysis, team leadership, project planning, hands-on fabrication, assembly design, material selection, problem solving, and large-scale build execution.
Graphic Perforating
Annex Athletic
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Designed and manufactured a perforated metal logo for Annex Athletic to use as decorative branding throughout their facilities. The project involved translating the company’s logo into a manufacturable perforated design while maintaining clean visual detail and structural integrity in the final metal panel.
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Designed and manufactured a custom cutout metal logo for Tampa Pickleball Crew to use as decorative branding within their facility. Unlike the perforated Annex Athletic logo, this project focused on creating a clean cutout design that preserved the logo’s shape, readability, and professional appearance after manufacturing.
Cooling Inverter Plate Competition
Project Overview
Designed and analyzed a cooling plate concept for a team competition focused on thermal performance and fluid flow optimization. This project was my first major experience using ANSYS, where I explored how different cooling channel designs, materials, and flow paths affected heat transfer and overall plate performance.
I used the project to develop a better understanding of thermal management, fluid behavior, and simulation-based design decisions. My work on the cooling plate helped demonstrate my ability to take on complex engineering problems, which contributed to me being selected as project lead for the outboard gearbox project.
Skills Used: ANSYS simulation, thermal analysis, fluid flow analysis, cooling system design, CAD modeling, design optimization, material comparison, heat transfer, engineering analysis, competition-based design, problem solving, and technical leadership.
Rubiks Cube Solver
Project Overview
Designed and built a robotic Rubik’s Cube solving system that combined mechanical design, Arduino control, and solving logic. The system used servo-driven mechanisms to rotate the cube and execute solution moves generated from the cube’s starting state.
This project required integrating hardware and software into one working system. I worked with Arduino, a PCA9685 servo controller, continuous-rotation servos, manual cube-state input, and solving logic based on the Kociemba algorithm. The project strengthened my experience with robotics, mechatronics, controls, troubleshooting, and translating programmed commands into physical motion.
Skills Used: Arduino, robotics, servo control, motor control, mechanical design, mechatronics, programming logic, Kociemba algorithm integration, wiring, troubleshooting, prototyping, and system integration.
Air Motor Manufacturing
Project Overview
Manufactured an air motor as part of a machine shop class project focused on precision machining and hands-on manufacturing skills. While the air motor design was provided, I was responsible for machining components accurately and learning how to use common shop equipment to produce functional parts.
This project gave me experience with CNC machining, manual mills, lathes, drill presses, and low-tolerance manufacturing. It strengthened my understanding of how parts are made in the real world and how careful machining, measurement, and setup affect the final assembly and performance of a mechanical system.
Skills Used: CNC machining, lathe operation, mill operation, drill press operation, precision measurement, low-tolerance manufacturing, shop safety, machining setup, manufacturing processes, assembly, and hands-on fabrication.
Name Plate Manufacturing
Project Overview
Designed and manufactured a custom aluminum name plate at Accurate Perforating as part of a hands-on CNC machining project. I created a simple name plate design, programmed the CNC toolpaths, and machined the final part from a block of aluminum.
This project helped me develop experience with CNC programming, toolpath planning, machining setup, and aluminum manufacturing in a real shop environment. It also gave me a better understanding of how digital designs are converted into physical parts through careful setup, cutting paths, and material removal.
Skills Used: CNC programming, toolpath creation, aluminum machining, CAD/CAM, machining setup, manufacturing processes, precision measurement, material removal, shop safety, and hands-on fabrication.