Objective

To obtain a research position focusing on controls, dynamics, simulation and/or haptics in a challenging and rewarding environment open to personal growth and advancement

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Wayne J. Book

·         Concentration in passive (human-powered) robotics, control of unconventionally actuated systems, simulation and implementation of control systems

·         Dissertation Title: Implementation of Arbitrary Path Constraints using Dissipative Passive Haptic Displays

·         Minor area in Human-Machine Interfaces; coursework in Engineering Psychology, Dynamic System Modeling and Simulation, Statistics

Apr 2003

GPA: 3.6/4.0

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Wayne J. Book

·         Automation and Mechatronics focus, Robotics concentration

·         Thesis title: Dynamic Simulation of an Improved Passive Haptic Display

·         Relevant coursework: Classical Control, Digital Control, Nonlinear Control, Optimal/Robust Control, Advanced Dynamics, Machine Vision, Embedded Systems

Jun 1999

GPA: 3.5/4.0

Georgia Tech Lorraine, Metz, France

Ecole Nationale Supèrieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM), Paris, France

ENSAM Mechanical Engineering Certificate Program

·         Studied for one quarter at the European campus of Georgia Tech

·         Completed five-month robotics research project at one of France’s top engineering schools

Jan 1998 -

Aug 1998

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Cooperative Plan

·         Graduated with Highest Honor. Dean’s List 10 out of 11 quarters enrolled

·         Mechanical system and design track

·         Elective coursework: Mechatronics, Computer-Aided Design

Jun 1997

GPA: 3.7/4.0

Skills

·         Technical: System and sensor integration; classical and digital control system design and implementation; ability to quickly develop, learn and apply new control theories; modeling and simulation of dynamic systems; system identification; robot dynamics design and analysis; real-time system design and programming; microcontroller fundamentals

·         Very effective in team environments in both leader and support roles.  Undergraduate and graduate coursework was heavy in team projects and labs.  Graduate research experience within a research group ranging from 6 to 14 people requiring independent corroboration and cooperation between both students and faculty advisors

·         Strong technical writing, oral presentation and teaching skills

·         Fluent in French

·         Computer related: MATLAB/SIMULINK, C/C++, QNX RTOS, LabVIEW, Motorola 68HC11, AutoCAD, I/DEAS, CATIA, CADAM, UNIX (Solaris, IRIX, Linux), FORTRAN

Work Experience

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Graduate Research Assistant

·         Performed research under faculty advisor Dr. Wayne Book in the field of passive haptic robotics on an NSF funded research project

·         Responsible for analysis and control system design of an existing passive human-powered robotic manipulator; design and implementation of novel methods of control; design and implementation of experiments to determine relative efficacy of control systems; human factors evaluation using human subjects

Jun 1997-

Aug 2000/

Aug 2001-Present

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, GA

Engineering Co-Op, 7 quarters

·         Worked within different teams each quarter on a major aircraft design program. 

·         Involved in product design and testing, propulsion system modeling, aircraft acoustic and vibration testing, crew and equipment design, airframe stress analysis, project scheduling/management (TQM methods), and manufacturing defect tracking for quality analysis (QA)

Mar 1993-

Jun 1996

Teaching Experience

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Graduate Teaching Assistant

·         Teaching assistant for ME3056 Experimental Methodology, an undergraduate mechanical engineering laboratory course.  In charge of supervising lab sessions, assisting students with data analysis and report writing, and grading lab reports

·         Rewrote course lab manual to improve clarity, streamline time spent in lab, and correct theoretical and procedural errors

·         Implemented web-based pre-lab training to familiarize students with lab equipment before coming to lab

Aug 2000-

Aug 2001

Honors and Awards

·         Mechanical Engineering Nominee, 2001Georgia Tech CETL – BP Outstanding TA Award

·         Georgia Tech President’s Fellowship

·         Alternate, 1999 DOE Integrated Manufacturing Fellowships

·         Honorable Mention, 1998 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

·         Leader of 2^nd place team, 1997 ANS Student Robotics Competition

·         United Technologies Teaching Intern

·         $32,000 winner, ABC’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Publications

·         Davin K. Swanson and Wayne J. Book.  “Path-Following Control for Dissipative Passive Haptic Displays.”  11^th International Symposium on Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems (HAPTICS 2003), Los Angeles, CA.

·         Davin K. Swanson and Christopher S. Lynch.  “Web-Lab: a New Approach to Undergraduate ME Laboratory Training at Georgia Tech.”  2003 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Nashville, TN.

·         Davin K. Swanson and Wayne J. Book.  “Obstacle Avoidance Methods for a Passive Haptic Display.”  2001 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, Como, Italy.

·         Davin K. Swanson and Wayne J. Book.  “Torque Feedback Control of Dry Friction Clutches for a Dissipative Passive Haptic Interface.” 2000 IEEE Conference on Control Applications, Anchorage, AK.

·         Davin K. Swanson, Eric Romagna, Wayne J. Book, and André Barraco.   “Influence of Actuator Dynamics on Passive Haptic Interface Performance.” 1999 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, Atlanta, GA.

Activities and Memberships

Co-Chair, Robot and Manipulator Control Session, 2000 IEEE Conference on Control Applications; 1996-1997 Team Leader, Georgia Tech Aerial Robotics Team; 1998-1999 Senator, Georgia Tech Graduate Student Senate; Student Member, IEEE and ASME; amateur photography / videography; foreign travel; computer science