About Me
Hi, I'm Samuel, and I'm from Long Island, New York. I'm studying Mechanical Engineering and have been building things and working with electronics since I was a kid. A lot of what I know comes from teaching myself over the years, and that turned into a real passion for engineering. I enjoy projects where mechanical, electrical, and software all connect, and I spend most of my time designing parts, 3D printing, running simulations, and testing ideas. I'm currently looking for a Summer 2026 internship or research opportunity where I can apply my skills to real engineering work, keep learning, and contribute to projects that help people.
Early Projects & Journey
I started with Maker Magazine kits and small electronics projects and eventually built my own electric go-kart as a kid. I got my first Arduino around nine years old and my first 3D printer at eleven, and I also went to a robotics camp where I built robots. I experimented with small Arduino projects, DIY robot kits, a custom light show that I soldered entirely by hand, and many other hands-on builds throughout the journey. In high school, I built a solar-powered computer. Those early projects developed into more serious engineering work, and today I am the team lead for the Mars Rover Team at the University of New Haven. Growing from simple kits to managing full engineering subsystems has taught me a lot about design, problem solving, leadership, and what really goes into an engineering project.
Mars Rover Team Leader
Leading a multidisciplinary team of 10+ students to design and build a Mars rover for URC 2026. This is where I spend most of my time, coordinating mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams.
High School Engineering
In high school, my favorite classes were PLTW engineering classes. One of my favorite projects was building a small automated cupcake assembly line using VEX parts and robotic arms. Classes like this helped solidify that engineering was perfect for me, because I've always loved building things and working hands-on.
College & Future Goals
My academic and professional goal is to become an engineer/researcher developing technology that meaningfully improves the lives of others. Seeing how technology can support people in medical challenges is what motivates me to keep pushing my engineering skills further.
I am a very hands-on learner. I learn best by building, testing, and experimenting rather than strictly through theoretical lectures. This is part of why I have grown so much through projects like the Mars Rover Team and my microfluidics research. When I am able to apply concepts directly, I not only understand the material better but also stay deeply engaged and motivated.
Coming from a smaller engineering school, I am constantly working to create opportunities for myself. Whether that be reaching out to the right professors or stepping up to be the leader of the Mars Rover Team, I am taking every step I can to align myself with the future that I desire. I'm especially interested in projects related to medical devices and robotics as those closely align with my previous work, but I would also love to explore new areas and challenge myself.