UT Advanced ML Manufacturing – Undergraduate Research Assistant
08/2022 -Present
Currently I am working under Dr. Djurdjanovic on novel machine learning models to be used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. I’ve created a virtual metrology model from scratch. Virtual metrology is a field concerned with using manufacturing production line sensors, to get live insights into the quality of all parts being produced. It is incredibly helpful in reducing defects and waste in production processes that use batch sampling (only measuring the quality of one out of X parts due to time and cost constraints). My model uses a self-organizing map neural network, to identify different domains in the input sensor space. This is helpful for combatting the natural drift that occurs in real manufacturing processes. It then builds different fuzzy regression models based on the batch data in each domain. These can be used to predict the quality characteristics of new semiconductor wafers in real time. The model identifies abnormal inputs based on their signature distance. It selectively updates to get the most amount of information gained. The input data that the model uses is created by a moving window dynamic feature extraction, that transforms the time variate sensor data into discrete and trainable values.
Tesla – Vehicle Software Engineering Intern
05/2022 – 08/2022
By the summer of 2022, I returned to Tesla in a different role, as a Software Engineering Intern. There I supported the vehicle software team. One of my projects was to build a python tool, that highlighted and interperted binary data differences between firmware revisions, and vastly decreased validation time. In addition to this, I created an API library to control and monitor the departments automated testing platforms, and send targeted alerts if something was wrong. My responsibilities also had me setting up test automation for bootloader and updater release validations, and contributing to existing software libraries for firmware diagnostics, validation, and editing.
UT Human Enabled Robotics (HERO) Laboratory – Undergraduate Research Assistant
08/2021-Present
At the HERO Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, I work with Dr. Fey on programming and designing haptic robotics to be used in the surgical industry. My current work is on developing a virtual simulation for the TROCAR insertion surgical process. The code is written in C++ and connects with a configured haptic device. This allows the users movements to be mimicked by a virtual tool, within a 3D space I’ve created. The communication is two ways, so the forces that the virtual tool should be experiencing as it collides with gel-like flesh layers, are transmitted back in the real world by the haptic device, pushing against the user. For more information on my work with the HERO Laboratory, please see “Haptic Robotics Surgery Simulation” under the “Projects” menu.
Tesla – Quality Manufacturing Engineering Intern
01/2021 – 08/2021
During my time at Tesla, I worked as a Quality and Manufacturing Engineering Intern with the Drive Systems Team. Though I was in a primarily production and manufacturing role, I took many opportunities to work on cross-functional teams, being mentored by design, data science, and controls engineers. As an intern I designed software and mechanical fixtures to test parts for certain specifications both in lab and production settings. These had estimated cost savings of over $2,000,000 annually. Additionally, I performed data science analysis to find root causes of numerous part defects. Another responsibility of mine was leading cross functional teams in coordinating production trials to verify new or existing line control methods. My long-term projects included driving quality audit process improvements by automating data collection tools, as well as working with the product design team to create quality documentation and a quality plan for an upcoming production line.
Sandia National Laboratories – Technical R&D Intern
03/2018 – 08/2020
As a Technical R&D Intern at Sandia National Laboratories, I was able to work closely with a systems surety engineering team working on products for the Departments of Defense and Energy. I ran data analysis on dimensional defects for various commercial parts used in products, to root cause several different defects. After observing quality test data, I wrote quality documentation to determine if parts could be used. Additionally, I developed a website, based in SharePoint, with an interactive map of the test lifecycle procedure. This created standardized testing guidance for over 300 system builds.
