Rodney Staggers. Jr.
Education
- B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering (August 2021), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- Dean’s List for Engineering Fall 2017, Spring 2020
Technical skills
- Data Analysis and Statistics: Minitab, Microsoft Excel
- Design and Modeling Tools: SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS, Autodesk Fusion 360, LabVIEW, Agisoft Metashape
- Programming/Robot Operating: Python, C++, MATLAB, Robot Operating System (ROS), Pixhawk autopilot, PX4 flight stack, QGroundControl GCS
Media and Publications
Professional Experience
Research Intern, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), St. George’s, Bermuda (June 2022-July 2022)
- Iteratively modified $13,000 autonomous surface vessel (ASV) and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system to
accurately collect bathymetric data (sonar and RGB imaging) and perform autonomous surveying missions in
turbulent >19kmph currents, over six-week period.
- Planned and facilitated, alongside BIOS’ Department of Education, a week-long camp for Mid-Atlantic Robots IN
Education Program, to teach 10 high school students A) the importance of marine exploration technology and B) how
to operate such devices.
- Dissected 2000+ images in Agisoft Metashape, collected from ASV imaging, to create multiple 3D orthographic maps
of 20m-by-20m region of 12A marker coral reef; suited for identifying marine coral species and bathymetric data.
- Directed an engagement with 20+ marine biologists, educators, and interns on the advantageous research results of
synergistic ASV and AUV system on marine exploration.
- Recipient of the BIOS Graint-in-Aid
Research Aide (Pro Bono), Arizona State University’s Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Tempe, AZ, USA (Aug. 2021-Present)
- Spearheaded 2-member collaboration to design and build an autonomous tethered system of two to three rovers
with the purpose of examining bio-geographical aspects of cliffs.
- Incorporated Python code into the Robot Operating System (ROS) to control rovers’ trajectory via its Inertial
Measurement Unit (IMU) and RC transmitter.
- Managed two Graduate students on the design of ASV and AUV to map coral reefs in local and international testbed
sites
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Student Worker IV), Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, Tempe, AZ, USA (June 2021-Aug. 2021)
- Developed C++ code to receive depth of 4.4kg-aquatic multi-probe sonde and control motor's power to achieve
specified incremental depths, to explore 5-meter-deep lake.
- Conducted 70 tests to create a proportional controller to minimize variation of published instrument depth and actual
depth to within 1 centimeter error.
- Manufactured laser-cut and 3D-prints from CAD-generated models to mount sensors to self-constructed aluminum
chassis on catamaran boat.
Space Grant Intern, ASU/NASA Space Grant Program, Tempe, AZ, USA (Aug. 2019-April 2021)
- Utilized CAD modeling to build hardware on autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to map coral reefs at
depths of 18m below seawater.
- Applied Fluid Mechanics to A) create simulations of stress and strain of 3D-printed AUV components and B) to model
AUV's equation of motion.
- Engaged with team of three post-Doc students to mirror AUV's movement in ROS Gazebo.
Academic Projects
Capstone Project: Air Diaphragm Engine (Jan. 2021-July 2021)
- Ran ANSYS simulations to construct non-electrical RC air diaphragm engine on $500 budget.
- Evaluated computational analyses to foresee if design could survive intake of 30-70psi in ANSYS.
Implemented usage of PLA and elaborate rubber sheets in later iterations of planned design.
ASU EPICS/Bridge2Africa: Community Partner Liaison (Jan. 2019-May 2020)
- Designed prototype frame in SOLIDWORKS for wheelchair that could traverse inclined/jagged surfaces
- Served as Liaison between group and its South-African Community Partner on biweekly basis
- Performed Design Reviews to document data compilation to engineering professional