Curriculum Vitae
Learning and Control: Integration of model-based control techniques and intuition with learning-based methods.
Hardware-Aware Implementation: Low-latency programming techniques for real-time robot control.
Safety-Critical Systems: Ensuring safe and reliable robot operation in real-world environments.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA Aug 2025 - Exp. Aug 2027
M.S. Robotics GPA: ~ /4.00
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL Aug 2020 - May 2025
B.S. Aerospace Engineering (Aeronautics Track) GPA: 3.96/4.00
B.S. Engineering Physics (Spacecraft Systems Track) Summa Cum Laude
Minor: Applied Mathematics
Visiting Researcher, Control & Autonomous Systems, MIT Lincoln Laboratory May 2025 ‒ Aug 2025
Advised by Navid Shahrestani
➤ Programmed a GPU-accelerated Isaac Sim extension for event camera simulation and synthetic data generation (code coming soon!).
➤ Created a motion primitive-based control algorithm for dynamic robotic navigation through cluttered environments.
Tools: Python, PyCUDA, Docker, Isaac Sim, Control Theory
Undergraduate Researcher, Engineering Physics Propulsion Lab, ERAU Jan 2024 ‒ May 2025
Advised by Dr. Sergey Drakunov
➤ Developed ROS2 workspace to deploy RL policies on a Unitree Go2, training them in custom Isaac Lab environments.
➤ Authored an anomaly search controller using time-varying probability distributions based on sensor input.
➤ Assisted in integration of Nav2 for autonomous 2D navigation using LiDAR and stereo cameras.
➤ Built and maintained lab’s LinkedIn, Website, and GitHub.
Repositories: eppl-erau-db/go2_rl_ws, eppl-erau-db/amigo_ros2, gabearod2/IsaacLab
Tools: Python, C/C++, ROS2, Jetson AGX Orin, Raspberry Pi
Undergraduate Researcher, Physical Sciences Dept., ERAU May 2023 ‒ Aug 2023
Advised by Dr. Sergey Drakunov and Dr. John Hughes
➤ Constructed an autonomous, mecanum-wheeled, omnidirectional vehicle with real-time AI object detection inference.
➤ Authored and implemented a PID control system to capture free-falling objects using camera inputs.
➤ Designed and 3D printed components for hardware and systems integration.
Tools: Python, Jetson Devices, Control Theory
Mechanical Engineering Co-Op, Textron Systems Sep 2023 ‒ Dec 2023
➤ Devised testing mechanisms in Siemens NX with GD&T and PMI for the Sentinel (GBSD) program.
➤ Conducted static linear and nonlinear structural analysis in ANSYS.
Tools: Siemens NX, GD&T, ANSYS, PMI
Mentee, Boeing Career Mentorship Program (BCP) May 2022 ‒ Nov 2022
➤ Fostered mentor-mentee relationships with Boeing employees through the BCP curriculum.
➤ Developed skills necessary to integrate into a professional environment like initiative, networking, and leadership.
Software & Communications Engineer, ToppleBot Aug 2024 ‒ May 2025
➤ Developed the software system for the ToppleBot, a reaction wheel-driven balancing and toppling cube robot.
➤ Implemented wireless communication with micro-ROS over WiFi for real-time data exchange and visualization.
➤ Created, deployed, and tuned a model-free PID controller for balancing and toppling behaviors.
Repositories: gabearod2/topplebot, gabearod2/topplebot_station
Tools: Python, C/C++, ROS2, micro-ROS, FreeRTOS, ESP32
Principal Investigator, VerdeCommute VC-1 Aug 2024 ‒ Dec 2024
➤ Led the preliminary design phase of the VerdeCommute VC-1, a hybrid-electric STOL aircraft.
➤ Developed MATLAB scripts to optimize high-lift propeller design, positioning, and thrust modeling.
➤ Defined the systems integration of electric motors, batteries, and VerdeGo turbo-generator for hybrid propulsion.
Repositories: gabearod2/hlp_design
Tools: MATLAB, MS Excel
Controls Engineer, Adjustable Throat Area De Laval Nozzle Jan 2023 ‒ May 2023
➤ Created a mathematical model to control the nozzle’s throat area for optimal aerodynamic performance.
➤ Fabricated a 3D-printed prototype integrating a pitot-static probe for validation.
Tools: MATLAB, Inventor
Software Engineer, Batted Baseball Trajectory Calculator Sep 2020 ‒ Dec 2020
➤ Authored a MATLAB script to predict and graph the trajectory of a baseball given initial conditions.
➤ Based on "The Physics of Baseball" by Dr. Alan M. Nathan.
Tools: MATLAB
Academic Chair, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) May 2023 ‒ May 2024
➤ Led educational research meetings, introducing members to research opportunities for undergraduates.
➤ Planned and managed events to provide supplementary instruction in MATLAB and 3D printing.
Repositories: gabearod2/omni_control_ws
Tools: MATLAB, Inventor, Python, C/C++, ROS2
Languages: English (Fluent), Spanish (Full Professional Proficiency)
Proficient In: MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++, Inventor, Siemens NX, ROS2, Micro-ROS, Isaac Lab, Isaac Sim, PyCUDA, Git, MS Excel
Familiar With: Femap with NASTRAN, CATIA v5, STK, SolidWorks, Javascript, Isaac Gym, Nav2, Docker, FreeRTOS
Robotics Hardware: Unitree Go2, Jetson AGX/NX/Nano, ESP32, Raspberry Pi
➤ Engineering Physics Outstanding Scholar Award, ERAU (2025)
➤ Dean’s List, ERAU (All Semesters)
➤ Scholar-Athlete Award, ERAU (2022)
➤ Diamond Eagle Scholarship, ERAU (All Semesters)
➤ Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (Apr 2023 - Present)
Available upon request.