Alex P
- Research Program Mentor

MEng at Princeton University

Expertise

user-oriented design, 3D modeling, electric vehicles (e.g. drones, e-boards/bikes), robotics and applied computer science (e.g. IOS apps)

Bio

Hi there! I’m from Westwood, New Jersey and I graduated from Princeton University with a bachelors and masters degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Even though I think space is awesome, I focused mainly on the mechanical side of things, with a healthy dose of electrical engineering and computer science. In particular, I'm fascinated by electric and/or autonomous vehicles; one of my favorite projects in school involved building an autonomous drone from scratch! I deeply enjoy working on creative personal projects, ranging from building my own bike from spare parts to designing an IOS app to facilitate learning new skills. When I’m not working, I generally love being active and being outdoors. Soccer, hiking/camping, and climbing are a few of my favorites. Indoors you can find me trying out new baking recipes, reading, or playing videos games (my FIFA skills are elite). Mentorship is one of my greatest passions and I take a lot of pride in being the person others can lean on. I always bring plenty of positivity, a willingness to be challenged, and an emphasis on holistic development. I look forward to meeting you!

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.

3D printed wind turbine:

What's cooler than making your own energy?! If you've ever been interested in how those massive fans in the sky actually produce electricity, this is your opportunity to learn! Together, we would first go over some critical fluid mechanics, covering aerodynamic concepts like lift and drag to ultimately understand how turbine blades are geometrically optimized to rotate as fast as possible. Then, it's your turn. You can use 3D modeling software like Creo or SolidWorks to design your very own wind turbine, which I can have 3D printed or machined. Finally, you can assemble the individual parts and attach your miniature wind turbine to a generator to make your own power! Keep in mind that this project is entirely flexible based on your interests - this suggestion is just for inspiration. If you simply wanted to 3D print an artistic sculpture, I'm all for it!

Build-a-Bike:

Yup, it's exactly what it sounds like! Together, we can build your own personal bike from the ground up. I have built several bikes from old beat up parts that now work good as new. And guess how much it costs: $0. From this project, you'll gain much more than just a new bike; you'll also become an expert in every mechanism on a bicycle (gearing, braking, etc.), so whenever a new problem arises (as it always does with mechanical components) you'll know exactly how to fix it.

Coding skills

Java, Python, SwiftUI, MatLab, C++

Languages I know

Spanish

Teaching experience

I currently serve as the co-chair of Community House, an organization at Princeton dedicated to the holistic development of underrepresented youth via tutor-mentorship. There are 15 active programs ranging from pre-K students to pre-college students and all of our programs focus on academic and social-emotional growth catalyzed by meaningful one-on-one relationships with Princeton student volunteers. As the co-chair, I'm responsible for higher level management of these programs, but I also volunteer in our Big Sibs program in which elementary school students come to campus every other weekend for an afternoon of fun educational activities and social time. I am an RCA (Residential College Adviser), so I live among 23 first and second year students and I help support their transition to campus life by fostering a safe, inclusive environment. I conduct community-building study breaks and encourage discussions of wellness, financial literacy, and social adjustment. I also serve as the liaison between students and administration to mitigate crises and empower students to use foundational campus resources I am an OA (Outdoor Action) leader. Every year before classes, I lead a group of eight Princeton first-year students in a week-long camping orientation trip. The goal of the trip is to facilitate their transition to Princeton by providing mentorship and a foundation upon which to build long-lasting relationships.