Davin K. Swanson 711 Briarvista Way Atlanta, GA 30329 404-321-9071 gt6032c@mail.gatech.edu http://www.imdl.gatech.edu/davin 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 April 2003 GPA: 3.6/4.0 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 Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering June 1999 GPA: 3.5/4.0 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 Georgia Tech Lorraine, Metz, France Ecole Nationale Supèrieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM), Paris, France ENSAM Mechanical Engineering Certificate Program Jan 1998 - Aug 1998 * 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 Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Cooperative Plan Jun 1997 GPA: 3.7/4.0 * Graduated with Highest Honor. Dean’s List 10 out of 11 quarters enrolled * Mechanical system and design track * Elective coursework: Mechatronics, Computer-Aided Design 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 Jun 1997 - Aug 2000 / Aug 2001 - Present * 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, GA Engineering Co-Op, 7 quarters Mar 1993 - Jun 1996 * 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) Teaching Experience =================== Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Graduate Teaching Assistant Aug 2000 - Aug 2001 * 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 Honors and Awards ================= * Mechanical Engineering Nominee, 2001 Georgia 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 2nd 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.” 11th 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