Bryan Angel

Engineering a modular payload aimed to detect a 10% change in the column abundance of atmospheric Nitric oxide. Integrating custom sensors and amplifiers to measure radiation events in response to Joule heating and solar flares. Designing a 4-PCB avionics architecture with sensing, on-board-computer interfacing, and power distribution on KiCad. Developing mechanical models using SolidWorks CAD and performing Finite Element Analysis to verify stability.

I have worked as a graduate teaching assistant for the Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery for the past two years. In this role, I work as an instructor for a living-learning program for 1000+ first-year engineering students. I work alongside other graduate assistants to direct curriculum planning and develop thorough documentation of organizational goals and expectations. Over the past two years, I have directly instructed and mentored over 200 students in topics like professional development, academic planning, and time management. Through this role, I have developed leadership and organizational skills that complement the technical experience that I have gained from other roles. Additionally, I improved my collaboration and team-based skills by completing 20 hours of intensive training in facilitating intergroup dialogue.

While working at the Assured Vehicle Autonomy Lab, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Most of these projects were applications of research in jammer localization. One of the most significant contributions I made was constructing 3 compact oscillator circuit boards for receivers to collect spoofing data in the coastal region of Norway. Additionally, I was tasked with providing software support in some projects using Python and MATLAB, and hardware support in others through OptiTrack and LiDAR demonstrations. Throughout the summer that I spent with the lab, I helped one of the lead graduate students in applying an automated data retrieval from the NOAA CORS Network. By automating jammer localization data collection, we were able to reduce overall analysis times by about 40%.

Led a committee of 5 individuals to expand the organization’s presence in the local community. Increased member involvement in community events by 20% and overall member retention by 30%. Coordinated 30+ community service events and direct collaborations with other student organizations over 3 years. Established the foundation for 2 new junior SHPE chapters at local high schools to foster students’ interest in STEM.

The Fincantieri summer research intern program placed students under the guidance of a Virginia Tech professor to work on a project relating to the professor's research interests. I became the lead for a 10-week project to design an integrated guidance, navigation, and control simulation of a quadrotor and natural pendulum system. I created the simulation using dynamic models on MATLAB and integrated a proportional-derivative controller to optimize the drone's trajectory and stability. Through this, I was able to express my results in practical applications like shipyard/warehouse environments for inventory tracking. Additionally, this provided me with valuable experience working directly under an advisor to create timelines and plans to complete the project on my own.

Working at BJ's has increased my spatial awareness as well as productivity within a limited time. There is a large emphasis on being a great person in the workplace while also ensuring a steady workplace. Keeping a positive and approachable attitude allows me to provide comfort for those around me, both customers and co-workers alike.

Working at Chick-fil-A provided me with valuable experience in a fast-paced and demanding environment. My cooperation skills heavily increased by keeping a positive attitude in the workplace and maintaining efficiency among the crew. I would also be tasked with training new hires often. This allowed me to become a better leader to those uncomfortable in a new environment and to analyze strengths and weaknesses of my trainees.