Mechatronics and Robotics Society (MARS) – UVA NASA Lunabotics Team University of Virginia

Mechanical Team Lead May 2024 - May 2025

Led 3 separate ~5-person design teams pursuing pre-CDR system design, calculations/analysis, and detailed design.
Co-authored grant application for $86,000 5 m x 3 m x 0.5 m lunar-simulant testing arena. Cooperated with Environment Health & Safety (EHS) to reduce arena hazards. Delivered pitch to grant board of 65, securing funding.
Created regolith arena floor plan and drawing. Ran FEA on simplified arena model to understand static external loads.
Launched and managed R&D team — created timeline, tracked dust-related triboelectricity studies.
Developed and taught SOLIDWORKS lesson plans to 20+ new members on part design, mating, and linear patterns.
Oversaw manufacturing and testing by coordinating 15–20 members and tracking progress and unit testing results

Established Systems Engineering Lead role before 2023–2024 season; defined duties and scope from ground up.
Served as primary author of 27-page systems engineering report, resulting in 17.5% score improvement over previous.
Led 3 design reviews—System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, & Critical Design Review.
Derived initial requirements and allocated them across systems hierarchy; refined through stakeholder collaboration.

Maintained operational continuity by managing elections and onboarding new leadership.
Strengthened team culture through events and internal communications. Wrote grants and year-end reports.

CAD-ed parts/assemblies with parametric design and configurations for electronics protection. Proficient in SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal and CAD PDM software to manage large assemblies. Delegated to 15-20.
Machined skid-steer grouser-applied wheeled drivetrain and excavation system (bucket ladders/bucket drums) yearly.

Figure 1. Wheel grousers. Created to be attached to wheel shell via dowels and rivets.

2023_WheelAssembly

Figure 2. Assembling wheel for 2023 rover, Rocks-anne.

2025_WaterjetDrivetrain

Figure 3. Waterjetting wheels for 2025 rover, Artie.

Created testing resources — documentation, arena map, and props to simulate arena.