Francesca Daszak

Participated as the sole mechanical engineer for the Orpheus project aboard the R/V Atlantis on the AT50-24 cruise out of Kodiak, Alaska. Led effort to create effective and sustainable documentation for pre- and post-dive procedures. Ensured vehicle's stability by calculating ballast and flotation needs based on vehicle component configuration. Led the effort to assemble the vehicle’s revised electrical system, by soldering surface-mounted and through-hole components onto over forty PCBs. Performed quality inspections using the IPC-A-610 standards on all assembled board’s solder joints. Contributed to software architecture, implementing a cross-platform Controller Area Network for thruster control in C++ and Arduino. Lead electrical and software engineer on the Autonomous Sediment Core sampler project. Designed circuit and PCB to enable control of up to six motors efficiently. Developed software architecture enabling feedback to host vehicle regarding sample success in C++ and ROS.

Worked under P.I. Thomas Howard on the Explainable and Verifiable Models for Human-Robot Teaming project. Integrated ROS packages over multiple code bases to test models on RViz-simulated Astrobee robot platform in Docker container. Presented experiment proposal to NASA Ames Research Center and was approved for on-site testing.

Head TA for "ME 104: The Engineering of Bridges", the introductory mechanical engineering course at the University of Rochester. Collaborated with Dept. Chair to redesign class syllabus and projects based on student feedback. Improved mechanical fixture to test bridge strength in 2D for student projects.

Worked on Resistive Force Theory of Compliant Granular Material project under P.I. Hesam Askari. Designed and prototyped experimental fixture and mathematical model to evaluate force distribution. Chose optimal embedded strain gauge locations based on FEA, backed by hand calculations.

Robotics Test Engineer on DEKA's ROXO Project, aiming to create FedEx's autonomous delivery robot. Conducted hazard analysis of robot software and hardware using rosbags and IEC-standard probes. Evaluated robot performance against requirements and specifications, reported failures in Jira.

Organizes club events, manages projects under the club. Represents the club in professional settings. Produced university-wide workshops on Design, CAD, FEA, Systems Engineering, and ROS.

Wrote drop-based volume estimation algorithm using OpenCV, saving company thousands on test contractor. Created a texting fixture to excite medical device at worst-case frequencies with linear actuators and voice coils.

Worked closely with lead engineers to develop a classified biomedical device for the improvement of medical care worldwide. Used finite element analysis (OpenFOAM, Mecway, and Solidworks) to refine and optimize a salinity monitor. Created a comprehensive purchasing order; responsible for organizing a unique testing setup for a biomedical device prototype while remaining compliant with FDA regulations.

Responsible for processing data of donors using Microsoft Excel under HIPAA privacy regulations.

Captain of Suffern High School FTC Robotics Team (2017-2019) 1st​ place, Northeastern USA Super-Regional Championships 2017 First Tech Challenge World Championships 2017 Third Place Inspire award, First Place Think Award, FTC Regional Championships 2018 2​ place Inspire Award, 1​ Place Think Award, FTC Regional Championships 2019 Nominated for Connect Award, FTC World Championships 2019