Welcome to my portfolio!

Northwestern University | BS Mechanical Engineering | Minor in Transportation & Logistics and Segal Design Certificate - September 2024 - Present

My academic journey began at Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, where a specialized, STEM-focused curriculum provided me with a strong, early foundation in hands-on problem-solving. This experience prepared me for the rigorous engineering program at Northwestern University, where I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I am intentionally complementing my core technical studies with a minor in Transportation & Logistics and a Segal Design Certificate to build expertise in creating efficient, human-centered solutions for complex, systems-level challenges.

Northwestern Initiative for Manufacturing Science and Innovation | Directed Energy Deposition Undergraduate Researcher - September 2025 - Present

Objective: To advance the capabilities of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) metal additive manufacturing by supporting the development of a custom AM machine and characterizing the properties of newly fabricated materials.

My Role & Process: As an Undergraduate Researcher, my process involves the full experimental cycle. I will contribute to the hands-on fabrication, assembly, and upgrading of our custom DED machine. For specific printing jobs, I will use SolidWorks for CAD modeling of components and support fixtures. Following the AM fabrication process, I will conduct sample preparation, which includes precision cutting and metallographic polishing, and then perform sample imaging using optical microscopy to gather critical data.

Outcome: My contributions will directly support the research by providing critical data on material microstructures and enhancing the capabilities of the lab's custom AM machine. This role will provide me with deep, hands-on expertise in Directed Energy Deposition (DED), metallographic analysis, and the process of designing, building, and operating advanced manufacturing research equipment. Ultimately, this experience will strengthen my understanding of the fundamental link between manufacturing processes and final material properties.

Segal Design Institute at Northwestern | Shop Trainer - May 2025 - Present

Objective: To foster a safe, inclusive, and productive workshop environment where students can effectively translate their engineering designs into physical prototypes.

My Role & Process: As a Shop Trainer, I lead training and certification sessions for students on a wide array of fabrication equipment, including laser cutters, CNC and manual mills, lathes, and various woodworking tools. I am responsible for enforcing all safety protocols, organizing the workspace for efficient use, and providing one-on-one guidance to students on material selection and advanced fabrication techniques.

Outcome: Through this role, I have empowered dozens of students to safely operate machinery and bring their creative projects to life. This position has significantly strengthened my leadership, communication, and mentorship skills while deepening my own expertise across a broad spectrum of manufacturing processes.

Northwestern University Mobility and Behavior Lab | Economic Impact of Trucking Undergraduate Researcher - March 2025 – September 2025

Objective: As a Research Assistant under Professor Amanda Stathopoulos, I am investigating the relationship between trucking routes, infrastructure, and economic development to build predictive models that can help inform transportation policy and guide future infrastructure investments.

My Role & Process: I utilize the R programming language to analyze various large-scale data sources. My work involves creating and refining multiple linear regression models to quantify the impact of trucking on economic growth indicators.

Outcome: My work has produced several preliminary models that successfully quantify the relationship between freight volume and local economic indicators. These findings are providing actionable insights into which infrastructure corridors are most critical for economic vitality and are currently being prepared for inclusion in a forthcoming research paper.

University of Michigan Climate Lab | Weather Pattern Prediction Research Assistant - August 2022 – November 2023

Objective: This research project focused on leveraging machine learning to improve weather forecasting.

My Role & Process: I developed a machine learning model in Python using a Random Forest Regressor. My primary task was to optimize the model's hyperparameters to enhance its predictive capabilities.

Outcome: Through rigorous optimization, I successfully doubled the model's accuracy to a total of 80%, demonstrating my ability to improve algorithmic performance for complex predictive tasks.

DisPark | NYC Parks Infrastructure Analysis Project- July 2022 – September 2024

Objective: This summer STEM project at the Cooper Union aimed to analyze and address inequality in New York City's public park system.

My Role & Process: I took the lead on the data analysis portion of the project, using Python to collect, parse, and interpret crowdsourced user survey data. My analysis identified significant funding gaps, cleanliness issues, and disparities in access to quality park infrastructure for marginalized communities.

Outcome: The findings from my analysis were used to spearhead an awareness campaign, providing data-driven evidence to advocate for more equitable resource distribution in the city's parks.