Hi There! I’m Marcus Michel
Explore and Enjoy
About Me
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Throughout my life, I’ve been driven to learn, create, and innovate. Now, my aim is to use my technical and interpersonal skills to contribute to innovative and meaningful projects. While I am confident in my ability and drive as an individual, I also take pride in being able to work effectively and efficiently within a team. I've had multiple unique opportunities to employ these skills in areas ranging from physics and engineering to chamber and orchestral music. Through these experiences, I've developed strong personal and professional relationships, made lasting impacts, and opened up paths for countless new possibilities. I look forward to seeing what's in store for me next! If you’re interested in learning more about me, keep reading and feel free to get in touch.
Work Experience and Academic Partnerships
Background & Expertise
Active SGV Gotcha Bicycle Fleet Team Member
January 2020 - May 2020
Facilitated the introduction of 840 electric bikes to the San Gabriel Valley as part of a four person team. Used systems thinking and principles of human centered design to identify ideal locations for docking stations. Coordinated with Active SGV liaison to organize and conduct interviews with key stakeholders.
Meggitt Control Systems Engineering Clinic Group Member
September 2019 - May 2020
Researched thermally stable materials for aerospace applications. Identified key product specifications for purchasing testing equipment. Developed tests based on MIL-STD-810H to gather data on metal alloys’ electrical stability under high heat. Conducted tensile testing using an Instron universal testing machine to verify quality of brazed joints. Presented test results and product recommendations to Project Engineer and Vice President of Engineering.
Computational Physics Research Aid at the University of Washington
June 2019- August 2019
Worked 30+ hours a week on a joint project between the Robinson and Masiello research groups. Developed basic electrodynamics models for plasmonic-organic hybrid devices using the Discrete Dipole Approximation, specialized electrodynamics software. Wrote and modified MatLab, Fortran 90, and BASH code to make the plotting of scattering spectra, electric field component profiles, vector field plots, and shape files simpler and more intuitive. Set groundwork for more complex models that would incorporate the results of Monte-Carlo simulations to better model the chromophore's dielectric function. These more complex models will allow researchers to test different material properties and layers without having to fabricate test devices, making the effort to optimize these devices more efficient and cost-effective. Continued analysis of this work for undergraduate physics thesis.
Volunteer Physics Research Assistant at Central Washington University
May 2018 - August 2018
Tasked to research independently, I set groundwork for a computational acoustic model of the human skull in COMSOL Multiphysics for use in biomechanics resonance research under Dr. Andy Piacsek, professor and chair of the CWU physics department. Volunteered on average 25-30 hours a week learning COMSOL Multiphysics and developing a model for a previous experiment (finding resonant modes of an aluminum sphere) to confirm the resonant frequencies that were observed could be predicted by the computational model.
Sophomore Physics Lab TA and Grader
September 2018 - December 2018
Assisted with setting up and running the weekly Foundations of Modern Physics lab. Graded 3-4 lab notebooks a week. Led part of the Atomic Spectroscopy lab, demonstrated the SPEX 270M spectrograph and explained the theory behind the atomic spectra we observed.
Private Physics Tutor
February 2018 – May 2018
Individually tutored students in AP to Introductory College Level Kinematics, Dynamics, and Electricity and Magnetism
Education
Pomona College
August 2016 - May 2020
Completing a bachelor's degree in physics. Currently working for Meggitt Control Systems as part of an Engineering Clinic team at Harvey Mudd for more applied physics/engineering experience, and will complete a senior physics thesis by the end of the fall semester.
Central Washington University
September 2015 - June 2016
Enrolled as a full-time student at Central Washington University through the Running Start program. Furthered coursework in Physics, Mathematics, and English.
Ellensburg High School
September 2012 - June 2016
Attended high school in Ellensburg, WA. Maintained a strong balance of academics, athletics, and music. Recognized for Excellence in Science, and awarded AP Scholar with Distinction. Participated in Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track and Field. Competed at the state level in pole vault, and was an alternate in wrestling. Played in All-State and All-Northwest orchestras, and took 2nd place in the solo viola category in the 2015 State Solo and Ensemble competition.
Senior Physics Thesis
I took the results of my research at the UW during the summer of 2019 and reviewed the current literature on plasmonics, electro-optic modulators, and organic electro-optics in order to write my senior physics thesis. Click below for a more in-depth explanation, or to have a look at the thesis itself!
Improving Accessibility for Visually Impaired Musicians
The integration of visually impaired musicians in conventional orchestral settings poses multiple challenges, one of which is the requirement that such musicians be able to follow the conductor’s rhythmic and expressive motions. In order to overcome this obstacle, this project aims to provide the musician with sensory feedback that translates the conductor's motions from visual cues to another kind.
Previous projects and devices of this kind have been developed, so this project's main focus is to learn more about how the technology works, explore areas for customization, and eventually allow for more experimentation and improvements to the existing technology.
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I designed, developed, and tested a prototype of this device. It consists of two main parts, one attached to the conductor's wrist and the other to the clothes or skin of the musician.
Simulating the Effects of Artificial Gravity
The most commonly considered method of imitating gravity is through constant angular acceleration. There are some major challenges to the implementation of this form of artificial gravity on the international space station--a few of which are due to effects predicted by classical mechanics.
My Skills
Teamwork
I strive to bring out strengths of each individual when working with a group.
Communication
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I aim to be clear and concise when conveying information to project managers and clients.
Adaptibility
I quickly adjust to new fields and modes of operation, as with my computational work at the UW.