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Matthew's curriculum vitae

Matthew E. Nelson
Aerospace and Engineering Mechanics Department
Iowa State University
0625 Howe Hall
Ames, IA  50011-2271
tel - 515-294-2640



Education Background

Masters of Science, Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA  2012.  Research in Embedded Systems and applications in RF Engineering pertaining to radiometer applications

Bachelors of Science, Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA  May 2002.  Studies in Electromagnetics, Digital Signal Processing and RF Engineering.


Presentations


M. Nelson (September 2011).  Formation of a National Organization for High Altitude Ballooning.  Presentation at the National Space Grant Consortium Meeting, Green Bay, WI
M. Nelson (August 2011).  Bringing Amateur Radio to the Classroom in Space Related Projects. Presentation at the ARRL Midwest convention, Cedar Rapids, IA
M. Nelson, C. Jensen, M. Lazere (June 2011).  Bridging college students and K-12 students together through High Altitude Ballooning. Paper presented at the Academic High Altitude Conference, Ames, IA
M. Nelson, E. Harstad, C. Reis (June 2010).  Modular Electronics System for the HABET program at ISU.  Paper presented at the Academic High Altitude Ballon Conference, Upland, IN.
M. Nelson, C. Jensen (May 2010).  Linking the Classroom to Near Space and Beyond.  Paper presented at the Academic High Altitude Ballon Conference, Upland, IN.
M. Nelson (May 2009).  Modular Electronics System for High Altitude Balloon Flights.  Paper presented at the AIAA Balloon Systems Conference, Seattle, WA.
M. Nelson,  F. Nutter, J.  Basart (June 2009).  Engineering payload designs for remote sensing applications for plant pathology using latex weather balloons .  Paper presented at the American Phytopathological Society North Central Division Conference, Ames, IA
M. Nelson, N. Willis, L. Benson, D. Harper, S. Wagner, A. Frick, F. Laipert, N. Ramey (April 2008).  Feasibility Analysis of the Iowa State Student Moon Orbiter.  Paper presented at the AIAA Region V Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Copies of papers/presentations can be found below in the attachments section

Additional Research Experience
Soil Moisture measurement using an L-band radiometer, Hornbuckle Research Group, Iowa State University (Dr. Brian Hornbuckle, PI).  Project Manager and Chief Engineer.  Worked on the maintenance and also in updating the ISU L-band radiometer for soil moisture research.  2005-Present.  Project Website

Study of wheat rust propagation using latex weather balloons, Space Systems and Controls Lab, Iowa State University (Dr. Forrest Nutter, PI).  Project Manager and Chief Engineer for the project.  Designed electronics used for visible, Near Infrared (NIR) photography, and a spore trap collection system using the Rotorod samplers.  Designed the payloads carried under the latex weather balloons.  Oversaw operation procedures for deployment and collection of data in the field.  2007 - 2009


Honors and Awards

NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Award for Senior Design projects, $4,000, Fall 2011
NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Award, $6,000, Summer 2010

Professional Development

Employment
Research Engineer and Program Manager - Aerospace and Engineering Mechanics Department Iowa State University.  2011 - present

Director and Chief Design and Operations Engineer - Space Systems and Controls Lab, Iowa Space Grant Consortium/Iowa State University. 2005-2011

Responsibilities - Oversee operations and engineering projects within the Make to Innovate (M:2:I) program in the Aerospace Engineering department.  Directing several student projects within the department.  Managing budget issues with several student projects.  Managing several undergraduate and graduate students employed by the Aerospace Engineering Department related to M:2:I.  Projects done within the M:2:I included High Altitude Balloon operations, Unmanned Vehicles including blimp based project (LABET) and ground based vehicle that competed in the University Rover Competition (MAVRIC).  Additional projects is a cubesat based project (CySAT) and a rocket launched from a HAB platform (Rockoon), CANSAT, ULSI and SAE Aerodesign Challenge and many others.  Provide electrical engineering support to faculty and staff for both research and instructional needs.  



Committees
Committee Co-Chair (2011 - present) - National Near Space Alliance (NNSA) - A new organization aimed at working with other high altitude groups to promote safety and increase awareness of high altitude activities.  In addition the committee aims to continue a working relationship with agencies such as the FAA.
Committee Chair (2010-2011) - 2nd Annual Academic High Altitude Conference - High Altitude Balloon conference held at Iowa State University June 20-24th, 2011.  

Continuing Education
Microchip MASTERS conference, Microchip Inc., Phoenix, AZ, August 2007
Microchip MASTERS conference, Microchip Inc., Phoenix, AZ, July 2008

Professional Memberships
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)


University Teaching Experience

Fall 2011 to present                Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (Aer E 160), Iowa State University, Guest Lecturer (Matlab topics), assited with hands on lab
Fall 2005 to present                Scientific Ballooning Engineering and Operations (Aer E 265), Iowa State University, Instructor
Fall 2009 to present                Aerospace Engineering Independent Study (Aer E 490/Aer E 290), Iowa State University, Instructor/Adviser

Fall 2005 to Spring 2010        Electrical Engineering Senior Design (E E 491/E E 492), Iowa State University, Adviser
Spring 2010                            Modeling and Techniques for Embedded Systems (Cpr E 584), Iowa State University, Guest Lecturer
Fall 2009                                 High Speed System Measurements (E E 418), Iowa State University, Guest Lecturer
Spring 2011                            Spacecraft Systems (Aer E 464), Iowa State University, Guest Lecturer
Additional information on my teaching experience can be found here.


References
Dr. William Byrd, Former Director of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. John Basart, Emeritus Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. Brian Hornbuckle, Associate Professor, Agronomy and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. Mani Mina, Adjunct Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. Phillip Jones, Assisantant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. Thomas Rudolphi, Professor, Aerospace and Engineering Mechanics,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Dr. Tom i.p. Shih, Department Chair and Professor,
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN



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