NASA Glenn Academy 2006

NASA Academy 2006
Glenn Research Center
2006 GRC Academy Home

Yamil Iván Rodríguez

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Electrical Engineering (Digital Signal Processing)
Master of Science, October 2006

Inter-American University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Mathematics (Pure Mathematics)
Bachelor of Science, May 1990

NASA Academy Research Project

RF Propagation Research
NASA Principal Investigator: Dr. Roberto J. Acosta

Education

My education has been all about passion. Since I was a child I have had an inclination for science, music, and technology in general. I started engineering, but somewhere along the line, I found that both mathematics and physics were giving me the broader understanding of engineering that I wanted. I finished a BS in Mathematics in 1990. After graduation, I decided to put my time into music. I programmed and played synthesizers for several musical groups and solo singers for over ten years. After partially completing my goals in this area, I went back to school to finish an MS in Electrical Engineering and to look for new projects. Currently, I'm writing my MS thesis and also looking forward to working on a PhD.

Experience

I have worked in US Customs as a seasonal Customs Inspector at the San Juan port, as a part-time mathematics professor teaching basic mathematics and calculus courses at the University of Puerto Rico (2001), and as a musician and sound design engineer for over ten years. I’ve also been a member of the National Tutoring Association since 2003.

Currently, I’m at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico working as a research assistant in the Digital Signal Processing Group. Here, we do research in the implementation and creation of new DSP and communication algorithms. We also give support to the Center for Excellence in Controls, the Smart Antenna Group from the University and the Government of Puerto Rico. I also work for the Center for University Progress where I perform statistical analysis for the center and tutoring duties in the areas of mathematics, physics and electrical engineering.

Extra-Curricular Activities

I love learning mathematical history and solving mathematical puzzles; I also have a thing for understanding and applying basic physics concepts. In my spare time, I like to dive into these businesses with friends but I also put a lot of time into driving through the countryside, going to the beach, playing the piano and cooking. Most likely, you’ll find me trying to enjoy all the goods of life with family and friends.