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Youssef A

- Research Program Mentor

MSE candidate at Northwestern University

Expertise

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Bio

I grew up in the Middle East, and then moved to NJ when I was 13, and just recently we moved to PA. I went to Hillsborough High School and was very involved in my high school's First Robotics Competition (FRC) team as well as soccer, track, and cross country. I am now a BS/MS student at Northwestern University where I am majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and I am very involved with my school's Formula Racing Team where we design, build, and race a Formula-style car every year! I am also on the rocketry team where we build and fly rockets as a part of the NASA Student Launch Initiation (SLI). This year, we are designing a rocket which will have a plane eject out of it and glide to land. All of this gives me a background in the type of project that you are interested in. Throughout college, I interned at various engineering companies such Aster Space, Rushnu, and Ford Motor Company. This September, I will be joining Ford as a full time EVDD engineer in the R&D department. Outside of engineering, I enjoy watching law/crime shows and sci-fi movies.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Remote Controlled Robotic Arm

The 6-axis robotic arm project provides students with an engaging opportunity to explore robotics and programming. By building and programming the arm using Arduino, students will learn essential skills in electronics, coding, mechanical design, and 3D printing. They will also gain hands-on experience with mobile app development, as the robotic arm will be controlled via a user-friendly phone interface, allowing for real-time input and manipulation. This project fosters problem-solving abilities and creativity while introducing students to concepts such as servo motor control, sensor integration, and the fundamentals of automation.

Aerodynamics of F1 Race Car

The aerodynamics of F1 cars project immerses students in the exciting world of automotive engineering and aerodynamics. By building an RC car from scratch and 3D printing the body, students will gain valuable skills in mechanical design, additive manufacturing, and hands-on assembly. They will have the opportunity to test various aerodynamic features in a homemade wind tunnel, allowing for practical experimentation and data collection. Additionally, using simulation software to validate and compare results will enhance their understanding of fluid dynamics and computational modeling. This project not only cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also encourages collaboration and innovation, providing a solid foundation for future pursuits in engineering and technology.

Coding skills

Python, Matlab

Languages I know

English, Arabic

Teaching experience

- Mentored 7 students 1-on-1 for 6 months each on another mentoring platform (age groups 7-17) - Teaching Assistant for research program where I overlooked 31 original research papers, each paper was written by only 1 mentee (age groups 15-17) - Northwestern PATH (Peer Academic Tactical Help): I teach a course once a quarter to a group of 5-7 students on how to work under pressure productively, and how to ensure a path to success regardless of the circumstances

Credentials

Work experience

Ford Motor Company (2023 - 2023)
R&D Intern
Ford Motor Company (2024 - 2024)
R&D Intern II
Ford Motor Company (2024 - Current)
EVDD (Electric Vehicle Digital Design) Engineer
Aster Space Technologies (2024 - Current)
Thermal Management Engineer

Education

Northwestern University
MSE Master of Science in Engineering (2024)
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Northwestern University
MSE Master of Science in Engineering candidate
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

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