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Sarah Katherine Curry       

Robotics Engineer

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SUMMARY

 

Energetic and accomplished robotics engineer with seven years of experience in research and development applying for admission to a graduate program in robotics. Cum Laude Graduate, BA Physics. Strengths include:

 

  • Familiarity with robot hardware and software, development and testing, and commercialization of robots

  • Demonstrated ability for designing, executing, and analyzing automated robot tests

  • Experience with Python, Bash, ROS, Gazebo, and MATLAB

  • Dedicated to a collaborative approach to achievement; solid communication skills

 

EXPERIENCE

 

VECNA

Robotics Division

2012 - Present

Robotics Software Developer

 

  • Developed high level robotic software in Python that leverages ROS architecture to perform functions such as monitoring robot sensors

  • Sole Test Engineer on the robotics team; designed a comprehensive test plan covering unit, functional, and system level tests

  • Developed suite of automated tests to characterize accuracy and precision of robot sensors using Python and Bash  

  • Created a simulated environment in Gazebo (a simulator tool for robotics) to execute repeatable system level tests

  • Developed Python and Bash scripts and other required ROS files to perform necessary test set-up for both simulated tests and those performed on the physical robot hardware

  • Leveraged Jenkins (a continuous integration application) to automate execution of tests ranging from building code to system level tests

  • Developed Python scripts to automatically analyze test data and report them to an internal wiki

 

Robot Deployment Engineer and On-Site Expert

 

  • Supported deployments of Vecna’s first courier robots at customer sites as the sole on-site expert

  • Developed and optimized on-site specific resources required for robot navigation, wifi connectivity, and elevator integration

  • Assembled robot hardware on-site, replaced faulty components, wired lithium ion batteries, and performed hardware testing

  • Designed and executed deployment test plan

  • Monitored robot on-site, collected information about human-robot interactions and user feedback

 

Program Manager for Better Muscles

 

  • Led research engineers in the development of bioinspired hydraulic McKibbons actuators for robots

  • Presented slides, gave demos, and submitted monthly reports to DARPA sponsors to demonstrate progress

 

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

LINCOLN LABORATORY

Chemical and Biological Defense Systems Group

2008 - 2012

Rapid Area Sensitive-site Reconnaissance Program

08/08 – 06/12

  • Designed and executed experiments to test robot systems used during missions

  • Developed accompanying qualitative and quantitative test metrics to evaluate performance of robotic systems; conducted comparative analysis of the capabilities of diverse robotic systems

  • Developed algorithm in MATLAB to identify and eliminate erroneous data in robot maps generated by automated lidar mapping system

  • Developed model in MATLAB to visualize the geometry of a chemical sensor integrated onto a robotic system

  • Performed operations research to identify military mission objectives, concept of operations (CONOPS), and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPS).

 

Subway Pilot Program

10/09 – 08/10

  • Designed and executed experiments to evaluate performance of biological sensors.

  • Analyzed sensor performance using MATLAB.

 

Technology Office Challenge, Volunteer Program

03/10 – 08/10

  • Collaborated with team to develop inexpensive technologies to collect and transmit data from a remote environment

  • Served as Mission Control Director during mock mission; managed incoming intelligence and orchestrated response

 

Biological Aerosol Networked Device Program

09/08 – 09/09

  • Collected data from fielded sensors and analyzed temperature, humidity, and other environmental data using MATLAB

 

Remote Vapor Investigation System Program

08/08 – 04/09

  • Supported assessment of requirements for a chemical sensing technology based on Raman spectroscopy

  • Presented results at sponsor meeting; delivered supplementary written report

 

INDIANA UNIVERSITY, Bloomington, IN

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)

BIOPHYSICS

06/07 – 08/07

Project: Optical Tracking of a Fly

 

  • Assembled and tested experimental apparatus (including electronic circuit boards, lenses, laser, mirrors, four quadrant diodes, etc.); optimized design for efficiency and effectiveness in tracking motion of a fly

 

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, Appleton, WI

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)

PLASMA PHYSICS

6/06 – 8/06

Project: Automated Data Acquisition for an Electron Plasma Experiment

 

  • Developed LabView software to control and acquire data from digital oscilloscopes

 

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, Appleton, WI

CAPSTONE INDEPENDENT STUDY, SENIOR HONORS PROJECT

9/07 – 5/08

Project: Physics Power; A Sample of Physics Problems Applicable to Energy Technology

 

  • Solved physics problems applicable to solar, wind, nuclear, and coal energy sources

 

 

EDUCATION

 

Bachelor of Arts, Physics, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI

Cum Laude Graduate, Cumulative GPA of 3.456 on 4.0 scale

06/08

Online Coursework

  • Intermediate Python Programming (Code School)

  • Introduction to C++ (Code School)

  • Control of Mobile Robots (Georgia Institute of Technology)

 

MIT Professional Education - Short Programs

  • Design and Analysis of Experiments

07/12

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Coursework

  • Human Factors Course

  • MATLAB Programming

  • Introduction to Python

 

Illinois Math and Science Academy

  • Designated by Newsweek as one of the top ranked high schools in the nation

06/04

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Community Outreach

MassRobotics, Robotics Interest Group, 06/2015 - Present

  • Organize meetup events for Robotics Interest Group

Vecna Robot Race, 04/2015

  • Supported robot competition to foster excitement for robots in the community

 

Vecna Community Service Efforts 2012 - 2015

  • Contributed to design and testing of Clinipak, a mobile health record system deployed in Africa

  • Outreach to local schools

Guest lectured high school classes on physics, chemistry, and mathematics

  • Framingham High School, 2010

  • Kaukauna High School, 2008

Writing and Public Speaking

  • Toastmasters Club at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, 2009 – 2010

  • Writing tutor at Lawrence University, 2007

Personal

  • Initiated Piano Club and Ultimate Frisbee Club at Vecna; also president of Biking Club

  • Initiated Guitar Club and served as committee member of Cycling Club at MIT Lincoln Laboratory

  • Conversational in French language; lived in France for 6 months during robot deployments

 

Curriculum Vitae

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