Manuel Escobar Email & Phone Number

Miami, Florida, United States

Miami, Florida, United States

• Performed research work for the US Department of Energy Environmental Management (US DOE-EM), under the direction of Dr. Leonel Lagos, for his $21,836.882.00 project titled "Environmental Research, Development, Technology Testing & Evaluation".• Assisted and contributed to different robotics projects such as the Off-Riser Pneumatic Manipulator, The Legacy Management autonomous solar-powered platform, 3D model reconstruction using LiDAR attached to Drones, and a few more.• Responsible for researching and developing autonomous drones in GPS-deprived environments. Involving working with open-source software to control aerial vehicle systems for applications, such as inspection mapping or three-dimensional reconstruction.• Developed software for sensor package for 3D model reconstruction using ROS2 LiDAR, GPS, and IMU integration. Furthermore, I implemented different mapping reconstruction libraries based on SLAM algorithms to compare accuracy and robustness.• Developed the software for a four-wheeled autonomous platform powered by solar panels with ground-penetrating radar to inspect underground irregularities caused by groundwater contamination. Deployed at the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Legacy Management sites in early August 2023.• Designed and assembled a control box with all its respective embedded hardware, heat dissipators, proper cable management, power safety devices, and regulators for the Legacy Management robotic platform. • Programmed the first joint model for the Off-Riser Pneumatic Manipulator for radioactive tank inspections using PID control for stable error correction.

Miami, Florida, United States

• Performed research work for the U.S. Department of Transportation under the direction of Dr. AtorodAzizinamini, for his $9,579,231.89 project "Accelerated Bridge Construction - University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)".• Responsible for researching and developing an autonomous hybrid drone with a four-wheel drive mechanism to ensure stable drive and maneuverability on the under surfaces of bridges for inspection procedures.• Developed the ROS workspace to create a unified system that can control integrated peripherals in the drone. This included receiving localization information, actuating the four-wheel drive, and analyzing external IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) data.• Integrated and experimented with different sensing technologies to aid drone localization such as optical flow sensors for XY position, sonar rangefinder, Ouster LiDAR for 3D mapping, 2D LiDAR for object avoidance, Ultrasonic Indoor GPS with trilateration methodology.• Built a custom drone using an STM32 microcontroller and wrote all the drivers in C language to interface with electric speed controllers, inertia measurement units, receivers, barometer, and 1D LiDAR using communication protocols such as UART and I2C.• Programed autonomous flight missions inside a Gazebo dynamics simulation to test and experiment with the flight controller software.• Reversed engineered the drone frame to implement improvements such as adding customized propeller guards and mount for a lightweight camera.

Miami, Florida, United States

• Performed research work for the National Science Foundation, under the direction of Dr. LeonardoBobadilla, for his $605,569 project "Extending Autonomy in Seemingly Sensory-Denied Environments Applied to Underwater Robots".• Programmed and interfaced microcontrollers for the automation of small-scale commercial Remote-Control boats.• Designed, modified, manufactured, and tested small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) with the goal of developing a testbed that tracks behavior in aquatic environments by mapping and tracking 2D fluid models.• Designed and manufactured rotary encoder holders that were 3D printed and subject to basic axial and bending stresses to gauge strength and elasticity with the purpose to add a sensing device that will measure the boat's relative velocity.• Created circuit layout and blueprints to fabricate a prototype design board to optimize space usage in the USV.• Developed and implemented algorithms to create controlled and predictable behavior for USVs, such as forward, backward, narrow turns, and simple path trajectories.

Miami, Florida, United States

• Assisted Dr. Lagos for Applied Mechanics with up to fifty enrolled students in Biomedical Engineering.• Maintained office hours to help guide students with any questions regarding the coursework. Assessedstudents’ difficulties and provided clarity and offered different approaches to understand the content.• Provided support with grading and proper bookkeeping of students. Assisted the professor withproctoring and evaluations.• Substituted for the professor in class as necessary. Stayed abreast of preparations for the course content.

Miami, Florida, United States

• Assisted Dr. McDaniel with Dynamics with about fifty enrolled students in Mechanical Engineering.• Maintained office hours to help guide students with any questions regarding the coursework. Assessedstudents’ difficulties and provided clarity and offered different approaches to understand the content.• Provided support with grading and proper bookkeeping of students. Assisted the professor withproctoring and evaluations.

Carabobo State, Venezuela

• Provided a precise selection of plate heat exchangers (HE) for industrial pasteurization to internationalclients to offer customized services.• Designed specialized control panels for each client complying with specific needs. • Utilized CAD models and drawings to support prototypes and deliver experimental applications.• Maintained in-depth knowledge of analysis tools, standards, and recommended practices associatedwith the necessary equipment to provide cutting-edge solutions for customers.

Carabobo Area, Venezuela

• Supported and worked alongside the Maintenance Manager with equipment assemblies and repairs forcustomers.• Developed practical experience with gear pumps, centrifugal pumps, valves and actuators, and variouselectric motors. Overall, focused on meeting required standards for the food and chemical industry.• Gained expertise using gauges and debugging instruments to diagnose malfunctions and system failures. Maintained inventory records of the workshop tools and equipment.• Performed arc welding to fabricate or repair platforms that carried pump assemblies.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Mechanical Engineering

Concentration: Digitalization of Radiological Characterization for Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities using Machine Learning

Master Of Science - Ms, Mechanical Engineering, 3.81/4.00

Activities and Societies: CEC/FIU – Graduate Assistantship, 2022, LAC – Graduate Fellowship, 2021 – 2022.Relevant Coursework: Advanced.

Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design, 3.08/4