alicia pan

Mechatronics Engineering | Software Engineering


Howdy! I'm Alicia and I want to make tech that make life better

I have a hardware & embedded engineering background with a special interest in medical & wellness devices.
Currently, I'm delving into the world of software development and visual design.

Keep scrolling to see some of my projects and experiences!

education

Mechatronics Engineering, BASc

University of Waterloo
Computing Option, Graduated with Distinction

Class representative
Engineering Ambassador

Coursework
  • Biomedical Signal Processing / Sensors & Implementation
  • Multi-Sensor Data Fusion
  • Microprocessors / Computer Structures & Real-Time Systems
  • Automatic Control Systems / Digital Controls Applications
  • Analog & Digital Transistor-Level Design
  • User-Centered Design & User Research / Cognitive Ergonomics
Sep 2019 - Apr 2024

Software Engineering, Diploma

BrainStation
Fullstack Development


See my projects below in the projects > software section!
Jul 2024 - Sep 2024

skills & tools

Hardware
  • STM32
  • Arduino
  • nRF
  • Oscilloscope
  • Signal Generator
  • Soldering
  • JTAG / SWD
  • Breadboard Prototyping
  • Machining
Programming
  • HTML
  • CSS/SCSS
  • JavaScript
  • C/C++
  • Python
  • MATLAB
  • Java
  • Node.js
  • React
  • MySQL
Design
  • Altium / KiCAD
  • Cadence
  • LT Spice
  • SolidWorks
  • AutoCAD
Tools
  • Git
  • VSCode
  • Microsoft Azure DevOps
  • Postman
  • SEGGER Embedded Studio
  • STM32CubeIDE
  • Keil uVision
  • LabVIEW
  • BitBucket / Confluence / JIRA
Media & Graphics
  • Adobe Illustrator / Indesign
  • Figma
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • MailChimp

experience

Electrical Engineering Co-op

Hyivy Health | Kitchener, Ontario
  • Prepared pelvic rehabilitation devices for clinical trials by diagnosing and correcting grounding/heat dissipation issues and creating an inventory tracking system
  • Decreased UX testing time by designing and bringing up debugger module PCB to consolidate and replace finnicky connectors
  • Reduced damaged boards by redesigning temperature sensor PCB in Altium for better mechanical fit and sensor protection
  • Implemented firmware in C to clean temperature sensor data and investigated alternative testing setups to minimize noise
  • Supported team members in replacing soldered components and Arduino prototyping of new features (such as Peltier cooling with thermocouple feedback)
    • Jan - Aug 2023

    Embedded Systems Developer

    onsemi (ON Semiconductor) | Waterloo, Ontario
  • Implemented firmware updates for a low-power Bluetooth-enabled SoC designed for wearable health tech applications
  • Used oscilloscope, J-Link debugger, and FPGA prototyping kit to test bug fixes for clock, memory, and voltage trim functions
  • Created detailed documentation for code change decisions and technical reference material for future new hires
    • May - Aug 2022

    Hardware & Embedded Systems Engineering Intern

    CleanSlateUV | Toronto, Ontario
  • Led a photodiode sensor project to design a UV-C light dosage testing device
  • Characterized sensors with an oscilloscope to compare options for a device that saves and displays readings
  • Worked with I2C and UART communication in STM32CubeIDE using FreeRTOS (C) for ARM Cortex-M3 core
  • Developed workflow for PID control of two synchronized motors
  • Independently researched noise attenuation and soldered EMC filters from a kit-of-parts
  • Investigated authentication protocols (TLS, PEAP), AT commands, IoT devices (wifi/GSM chips) to write articles
    • Sep - Dec 2021

    Linear Circuits & Electromagnetism Teaching Assistant

    University of Waterloo | Waterloo, Ontario
  • Planned help sessions tailored to student needs attended by 50+ individuals
  • Reliably met deadlines to grade 100+ student submissions every week
  • Stress-tested labs involving op-amps, capacitors, and AC signals with simulations
  • Debugged student circuits and corrected key misconceptions to ensure student success
  • Communicated effectively with instructors, first-year students, and admin staff to coordinate scheduling
    • Jan - Apr 2021

    Research & Design Intern / Entrepreneur in Training

    PASS Inc. / Conrad School of Entrepreneurship & Business | Waterloo, Ontario
  • Led product development of screen time management advice cards and other mental health resources created with Adobe InDesign
  • Conducted 20+ detailed user-base interviews and investigated research papers on the impact of screen time
  • Generated 2 international bulk-buy sales via marketing materials such as monthly newsletters and a blog post article
  • Attended crash course sessions on business management
    • May - Aug 2020

    Girls In STEM Council Member

    FIRST Robotics Canada | Toronto, Canada
  • Planned a national overnight conference with 100+ attendees to promote equality and diversity awareness in STEM
  • Interviewed industry professionals and wrote an article published by FIRST Canada
  • Taught 80+ students ages 5-12 basic robot mechanics and programming as a youth robotics mentor at the Ontario Science Centre
    • Aug 2018 - Aug 2019

    Robotics Team Lead

    FRC Team 6070: Gryphon Machine | Mississauga, Canada
  • Prototyped and machined parts for precise manipulation of irregularly shaped objects
  • Assembled pneumatic and electrical systems of industrial-sized robots (solenoids, double-acting cylinders, encoders, motor controllers)
  • Coordinated 20+ people in the acquisition and analysis of data on other robots to develop successful match strategies
  • Led a drive team of 5 people during high-pressure playoff matches to win 1st place at 2017 and 2019 district competitions
    • Sep 2016 - Jun 2019

    projects     software / hardware

    Menopatch

    Wearable cooling patch for menopausal hot flashes (Capstone Design Project)

    STM32
    Biometric Sensors
    Peltier Module
    KiCad
  • Developing a wearable device that can detect hot flashes in users through temperature, skin conductance, and pulse sensors, and autonomously activate Peltier module-powered cooling

  • Electrical Lead: Sensor flow/schematic/layout design for small form factor, soldering, PCB bring-up
  • Project Manager: Scheduling & documentation, cross-team coordination, presentation preparation, poster design
    • 2023-2024
    Menopatch display
    3D 360 view of upper PCB
    3D 360 view of lower PCB
    Exploded view of Menopatch

    Automatic Ball & Beam Control System

    MATLAB
    Simulink
    LabVIEW
    Quanser SRV02
  • Experimentally characterized a ball and beam system
  • Modelled the inner and outer loop systems in Simulink to investigate performance using different controllers
  • Implemented a control system in LabVIEW to bring the ball to a desired input position along the beam
    • 2023

    Autonomous Search & Rescue Robot

    STM32 Nucleo
    Adafruit TOFs
    PID Control
  • Designed and built an autonomous robot that navigates an obstacle course using TOF proximity sensors
  • Acted as team's electrical lead to select components, manage battery & wiring, and test sensors
  • Acted as project manager to schedule tasks, facilitate team check-ins, and ensure that requirements were met
    • 2022

    555 Timer LED Flasher PCB

    DipTrace
    LT Spice
    SnapEDA
    TinkerCAD
  • Created block diagram and circuit schematic to capture NE555 IC behaviour
  • Simulated circuit in TinkerCAD and LT Spice to determine suitable range of passive component values for desired LED flash frequency
  • Created new symbols in LT Spice, such as an SPDT switch
  • Analyzed datasheets to select compatible and cost-effective components
  • Iterated through several layout and routing options during design reviews
    • 2021
    555 Timer PCB 3D model

    Autonomous Line-Following Car

    Arduino
    DC Motors
    Soldering
  • Programmed an Arduino-controlled car to tight-poll infrared sensors and autonomously complete a designated course
  • Developed performance tests for vehicle mobility and maximum drivable incline
  • Resolved edge cases for sensor accuracy by calibrating angle adjustment on challenging turns
    • 2019
    Arduino car

    JENNIE: Assembly Line Robot

    LEGO EV3
    RobotC
  • Collaborated in a team of 4 to design, build, and demo an autonomous robot that assembles user-specified parts with logic to handle concurrent time-sensitive requests
  • Interpreted readings from colour, touch, gyro, and encoder sensors
  • Documented design iterations and tested product performance
    • 2019

    Overcaked: Browser Game

    JavaScript
    React.js
    Express.js
    Axios
    npm
  • Designed game interface, API endpoints, and system structure independently
  • Built application and incorporated feedback from playtesters to deploy playable project in under 2 weeks
  • Created original hand-drawn graphics using Procreate

  • Check out the repo here!
    • 2024
    Demo playthrough of Overcaked game

    Responsive Websites

    HTML/SCSS
    JavaScript
    React.js
    Axios
    BEM
  • Created several responsive and dynamically rendered websites based on client mockups
  • Thoroughly tested and quickly debugged multi-page sites to check for edge case behaviour
  • Managed fast-paced deadlines to deliver stylish and high-performing products

  • Repos are generally private due to client request, please inquire for codebase details
    • 2024
    Video browsing website
    Band website
    Coffee shop website

    Mini Hackathon Projects

    HTML/SCSS
    JavaScript
    React.js
    Postman
    Axios
  • Ideated and iterated rapidly to develop projects using APIs
  • Worked efficiently in small teams to delegate tasks

    • Pokemon Guesser
    Used PokeAPI

    Sticky Notes
    Built custom API
    2024
    Pokemon guesser game
    Sticky notes board
    Sticky notes form

    Modelling & Analysis Course Projects

    MATLAB
    Control System Toolbox
    C++
  • Created MATLAB models of 1D, 2D, and 3D heat equations for thermodynamic analysis
  • Used C++ code to process raw ISS data for use in a MATLAB spacecraft simulation to analyze velocity, positioning, and minimum distance from Earth's surface
  • Used MATLAB's Control System Toolbox to create bode plots for a low-pass filter
    • 2021
    Orbit around Earth

    Dunelist: To-do App

    React.js
    MongoDB
  • Self-learned React framework through creating a page that takes in user inputs (tasks and categories) and displays dynamic progress bars that track to-do list completion by category
  • Designed UX by storyboarding and iterating through versions as new features were added
    • 2020
    Dunelist web app demo

    Employee Management System

    Java
    Swing GUI
  • Built an employee data management system using a hash table and file system storage
  • Implemented searching, adding, removing, and editing employee information with an intuitive user interface
  • Designed repeatable test suite to evaluate functional units against detailed criteria
    • 2019
    EMS demo

    Planet Inustitus

    Python
    Pygame
    Adobe Illustrator
  • Developed a game with original digital graphics in which players collect stars and avoid enemies in order to win
  • Used integration testing to verify functionality as new aspects of the game were added
    • 2017
    Planet Inustitus pygame demo

    interests & facts about me

    classical music
    I learned to play violin and piano as a kid and performed with the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra for several years!
    I'm sitting in the principal desk for Violin II here:
    MSYO concert
    I don't play much classical music these days, but I have started to self-learn guitar as a pastime.

    volleyball
    Despite being on the short side, I've been playing volleyball for almost 15 years now. Over the years, I've gone through many competitive training camps, mentored at youth camps, and served as the starting setter on my school teams. After lockdown, I rekindled my love for the sport at UW's volleyball club.
    Pakmen GTA Premier

    bullet journalling
    Bullet journalling is an artistic outlet and organizational tool all at once - one that provides an excuse for having a massive collection of stickers. I may have a problem with buying nice stationery...

    quantum tech
    I was part of a student accelerator program called The Knowledge Society (TKS), where I learned a lot about exponential technologies and met loads of interesting people. While I was there, I focused on researching quantum cryptography. It's a super exciting field, and I was able to give a presentation about the future of quantum internet at one of the sessions.

    awards | achievements | certifications

    •   Outstanding Co-op Student Performance | 2023 & 2021 - Work Term Contributions
    •   Project Management Course Prize | 2023 - Term Honours
    •   1st Place | 2021 - UW Medical & Biological Engineering Student Society Designathon
    •   Norman Esch Award | 2020 - Student Entrepreneurship Scholarship
    •   President's Scholarship | 2020 - High Academic Achievement
    •   Gareth David Harvard Memorial Scholarship | 2019 - Engineering Impact Scholarship
    •   Robotics Team Award | 2019 - Oustanding Individual Contribution
    •   1st Place | 2019 & 2017 - FIRST Robotics District Competition


    •   Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C | 2023 to 2026 - Canadian Red Cross (#104035355)
    •   TCPS 2: CORE 2022 Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans | 2024 - Panel on Research Ethics (#0001264886)
    Copyright © Alicia Pan 2024.
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