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.