I've always had a true passion for robotic systems research and development. Over the past 10 years I've designed, built, programmed, and tested a wide variety of manned/unmanned ground, air, and maritime robots. When I get home from work every day, I go right back to working on robots for my various hobby projects.
In 2012, I graduated from Virginia Tech with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. My dissertation work focused on converting autonomous vehicle technology into an adaptive driver assistance system. During my time at VT, I also participated and lead a number of student robotics competition teams, including IGVC and AUVSI's RoboBoats.
After graduation, I joined Booz Allen Hamilton to help the firm build their very own robotics laboratory. Over the past 2 years, we've created the firm's Center for Robotic Systems and Simulation (CRoSS), where we prototype robotic systems for our clients and help Booz Allen Hamilton become known for actually building things.
My specialties include:
Unmanned/Autonomous Systems, Software Development, Embedded Systems, Hardware Design/Fabrication/Integration, Robot Perception, Modeling & Simulation, Control, Machine Learning, Optimization, and Human-Robot Interfacing
Lead Engineer @ I lead a number of engineering teams to design, prototype, and test robotics & surveillance projects for government and commercial clients. As team leader, I manage the technical, financial, and business strategies to ensure we produce quality systems in a rapid time frame.
I also help lead Booz Allen's Center for Robotic Systems and Simulation (CRoSS), which is a robotics laboratory we created two years ago to address the rapid robotics prototyping needs of our clients.
In addition to leadership, I still perform my normal technical duties as an engineer. I design and build UAVs for search and rescue, surveillance, payload deployment, etc. I also design algorithms for passive vehicle identification and human heartbeat detection.
Finally, I provide SETA support to DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO) and Defense Sciences Office (DSO). I provide robotics engineering expertise to helping Program Managers formulate new DARPA robotics programs. From January 2015 to Present (1 year) Staff Engineer @ When I first joined in July 2012, I helped my manager stand up the firm's new and only robotics laboratory: the Center for Robotic Systems and Simulation (CRoSS). We created the lab to meet our clients' demand for rapid robotics prototyping and sensor fielding. Since we started the lab, we've designed, prototyped, and tested a number of aerial and ground-based robotic systems. We've also used the lab to aid in developing passive vehicle identification systems, mobile forensics equipment, and human heartbeat detection.
During this period, I also provided SETA support to DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO). Here, I provided robotics engineering expertise to help TTO Program Managers formulate new DARPA robotics programs. From July 2012 to December 2014 (2 years 6 months) Graduate Research Assistant @ Worked on several robotics teams to develop autonomous ground, humanoid, and maritime systems. I also participated in several international student design competitions, including AUVSI's RoboBoats, IGVC, and RoboCup. My dissertation focused on developing an adaptive driver assistance system that leveraged autonomous vehicle technology. The project was completed for the National Federation of the Blind's "Blind Driver Challenge", and we provided a successful live demonstration at the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway. From May 2010 to May 2012 (2 years 1 month) Graduate Teaching Assistant @ Lead junior and senior level mechanical engineering laboratory classes. Lab topics included digital signal processing, machine vision, robotic automation, and PID control. From August 2009 to May 2010 (10 months) Internship @ Projects:
-Drafted as-built drawings for the corporate headquarters site.
-Created preventive maintenance schedules for site machinery.
-Developed an inventory system for site keys. From May 2006 to August 2008 (2 years 4 months)
Ph.D., Robotics, Autonomy, Controls @ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University From 2009 to 2012 B.S., Mechanical Engineering @ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University From 2005 to 2009 Paul PhD is skilled in: Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Perception, Motion Planning, LabVIEW, C++, Matlab, Visual Basic, Fabrication, Labview, Simulations, Mechanical Engineering, Simulink, Path Planning, Software Development, Solidworks, Numerical Analysis