Curriculum Vitae
Education
Michigan State University
Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation date: May 2024
GPA: 4.00/4.00
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Graduation date: June 2019
GPA: Cumulative 3.95/4.00 Major 3.91/4.00
Work Experience
Lockheed Martin - Sikorsky, Flight Control Systems Test COOP Jan 2019 – Jul 2019
Modified and created system-level tests to demonstrate adequate compliance with aircraft flight requirements.
Worked with design engineers to verify the impact of software changes on the system-level behavior of the aircraft.
Executed modified/new tests to verify their validity, documented test changes and results in presentation format for final approval by clients.
Supported the rest of the test team when executing multi-pilot test procedures.
Honeywell Aerospace Puerto Rico, EMI Engineer Intern Summer 2017
Performed analysis of time reduction strategies for a critical test resulting in 5%-20% improvement on test time.
Determined test equipment correction factors to improve fidelity and repeatability for EMI tests.
Created guide for software utilized in critical tests and for obtaining equipment correction factors.
Research Experience
Michigan State University, Research Assistant Aug 2019 - Current
Utilized additive manufacturing techniques to enable rapid prototyping for an underwater biological contact sensor.
Streamlined data analysis of over 100 input/output data sets using Python and OriginLab.
Utilized correlation analysis to discover possible link between sensor response and contact source characteristics.
University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez, Student Researcher Feb 2017 - Dec 2018
Designed and implemented a state-space based controller for R/C Helicopter with different command modes.
Generated Matlab scripts implementing state-space output feedback design equations, along with a Simulink model to simulate the effect of the controller on the system.
Georgia Institute of Technology SURE -Robotics Program, Student Researcher Summer 2018
Synthesized a planar gait for a feline-inspired quadruped robot utilizing an optimization problem formulation to obtain the kinematic joint trajectories for the gait.
Analyzed feline walking, extracting key features to be used as constraints in optimization.
Michigan State University SROP, Student Researcher Summer 2016
Collaborated with a professor at my home institution and a professor at MSU to design and implement a power compensation circuit to increase control over microelectromechanical mirrors.
Successfully developed and executed circuit validation tests.
Integrated circuit into the mirror control system, developed and executed performance tests for integration.
University of Virginia Surface Thin Film REU, Student Researcher Summer 2015
Collaborated with a graduate student to plan and execute a test matrix to observe and characterize Magnesium corrosion in an electrolyte solution.
Leadership Experience
ECoS Conference Audio/Visual Team Lead Feb 2018 & Sept 2018
Coordinated a team of 7 individuals to troubleshoot possible issues with the A/V equipment used by presenters at the Engineering Community Summit, a local industry conference organized by the school’s COOP Office.
IEEE –HKN Induction Vice-President Dec 2016 – May 2018
Responsible for engaging and guiding prospective members through the induction process
Collaborated with other members of the executive board to plan and execute fundraisers and other activities throughout the semester.
IEEE –HKN Professional Development Director Dec 2015 - Dec 2016
Responsible for planning activities focused on improving soft skills, informing members of research/job opportunities, and fostering leadership skills in the membership.
Student Counselor for Freshmen Aug 2014 - Present
Served as mentor to freshmen students, trained by the university's Department of Counseling and Psychological Services.
Informed freshmen during orientation week about services provided by the university.
Honors and Awards
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship April 2021
Fellowship recognizing and supporting outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines.
MSU University Distinguished Fellowship Aug 2019
MSU recruitment fellowship recognizing academic achievement, research goals, demonstrated leadership potential, and contribution to a diverse educational community.
OpenCapstone Poster Competition – Second Place Dec 2018
Competition between senior design projects at the College of Engineering level at UPRM.
University of Puerto Rico Honor Scholarship Summer 2014 - Dec 2018
Awarded the top 5 percent of all students in the same academic year across all programs offered at the university.
Lockheed Martin Scholar April 2017
Awarded to students with promising research proposals in aerospace technology.
Verizon Foundation Scholarship Dec 2014
Awarded to electrical and computer engineering students for high academic performance.
“Reto Colegial” (local college bowl) MVP for EMC team April 2014
Distinguished myself in a competition focusing on team, leadership, and improvisation skills, and obtained free registration and transportation for HENAAC Conference.
Skills
Excellent troubleshooting skills
Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in Matlab, Python, and C programming languages
Intermediate PCB design skills - EagleCAD
Proficient in electrical soldering
Proficient in LTSpice
Proficient in multi-objective optimization techniques
Intermediate 3D modeling/printing skills
Intermediate level Arduino programmer
Proficient in OriginLab
Publications
I. González-Afanador, H. Shi, C. Holbrook, X. Tan, and N. Sepúlveda, “Invasive Sea Lamprey Detection and Characterization Using Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) Contact Sensor,” IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 21, no. 24, pp. 27947–27956, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2021.3122884. (2021)
J.J. Pastrana, H. Dsouza, Y. Cao, J. Figueroa, I. Gonzalez-Afanador, J.J. Vilatela, and N. Sepúlveda, "Electrode Effects on Flexible and Robust Polypropylene Ferroelectret Devices for Fully Integrated Energy Harvesters", ACS Applied Materials& Interfaces, 12 (20), pp. 22815-22824 (2020)
T. W. Cain, I. Gonzalez-Afanador, N. Birbilis, and J. R. Scully “The Role of Surface Films and Dissolution Products on the Negative Difference Effect for Magnesium: Comparison of Cl- versus Cl-Free Solutions” J. Electrochem. Soc, 164 (6) C300-C311 (2017)
Conference Papers
I. González-Afanador, A. Barquero Morales, K. Joel Marrero Nieves, D. Soto Pérez, O. Villanueva Rodríguez, G. Beauchamp Baez "Diseño de sistemas de control para helicópteros con retroalimentación de la salida," presented at XIX Convención Científica De Ingeniería y Arquitectura 2018, Havana, Cuba. 2018.