Matthew E. Nelson Curriculum Vitae

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction - Iowa State University, Ames, IA - ABD, expected Summer 2024

Professors: Nir Keren, Ph.D., & Mani Mina, Ph.D. - Research in Engineering Education with Virtual and Augmented Reality

Link to more information on dissertation work - PhD Dissertation Work

Master of Science in Computer Engineering Iowa State University, Ames, IA - Spring 2016

Professor: Phillip Jones, Ph.D. - Research in embedded systems and the design and use of a software-defined radiometer that can manage Radio Frequency Interference.

Link to more information on thesis work - Master’s Thesis Work

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Iowa State University, Ames, IA - Fall 2002

Emphasis in RF systems and digital signal processing

Employment

Iowa State University Ames, IA

Assistant Teaching Professor 2019–Present

This position is a term faculty position within the Aerospace Engineering department in which I serve as the Director for the Make to Innovate (M2I) program and oversee the M2I courses and additional teaching responsibilities. The M2I program is multidisciplinary and engages students in problem and project-based learning in a flipped classroom environment. The program has approximately 160 students from all majors in the College of Engineering and includes majors across campus. The program has operated for over 11 years and has impacted thousands of students. As the director for M2I, I oversee the curriculum for the courses associated with the program and oversee and serve as the PI for any funding used to support the program. Funding for this program comes from several sources, such as grants, departmental support, and industry support. We have an annual operating budget of approximately $120,000. As the director, I coordinate with our primary industry supporters, Boeing and Collins Aerospace, to meet our program objectives. I also work closely with the ISU Foundation to maintain and bring new sponsors to the program.
Regarding the curriculum, I am the instructor on record for the AerE 294 and AerE 494 courses used in the program. I am also the program coordinator’s supervisor, who assists me in running the program. Additional teaching responsibilities include mostly our courses with programming components and the following courses: Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (AerE 160) and Computational Techniques for Aerospace Design (AerE 361). I have also assisted with both of our capstone courses, and I have assisted with our Aerospace Systems Integration (AerE 362) course. Additional appointment as the Assistant Director for the Iowa Space Grant Consortium.

Iowa State University Ames, IA

Assistant Director, Iowa Space Grant Consortium 2018–Present

Part of my faculty appointment is serving as the Assistant Director for the Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC). The ISGC's mission is to improve and inspire Iowa’s future in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The ISGC receives funding from NASA as part of the space grant program to provide funding for research, student activities, scholarships, and education initiatives that match NASA’s Space Mission Directorates (SMD). ISGC works with the core institutions (Iowa State University, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Drake) and our industrial, non-profit, and governmental affiliates to promote STEM and NASA initiatives. Duties include assisting with reviewing proposals, supporting the ISGC Director, building our industrial partners with the ISGC, and working with other space grant consortiums for regional projects. I serve as a Co-PI on the NASA Grant that funds the ISGC. This position is in conjunction with my other duties at Iowa State University, and 20% of my time is dedicated to this position

Stratospheric Ballooning Association, Ames, IA

President and Chairman of the Board 2012–present

The Stratospheric Ballooning Association is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and encourage high-altitude ballooning in STEM education. The SBA promotes best practices and provides information for those wishing to use high-altitude ballooning through online content and an annual conference. We publish peer-reviewed papers from the annual conference. Starting in the Fall of 2018, we will begin our peer-reviewed journal. I co-founded this organization in 2012. My duties include overseeing the organization, helping to organize our annual conference, and serving as the chief editor for our journal, the Journal of High Altitude Ballooning. Additional information on the organization can be found at http://www.stratoballooning.org

Publications

A listing of my publications can be found on my ResearchGate account - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Nelson-23

Teaching

The following are courses I have taught as the primary instructor.

AerE 294 - Make to Innovate I Fall 2016–present

Introduction to the Make to Innovate program. Students experience hands-on learning through interactive projects to engage students in the fundamentals of engineering, project management, and system engineering. Students will work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and must accomplish their team objectives and milestones by utilizing existing skills and learning new skills.

AerE 494 - Make to Innovate II Fall 2016–present

Students experience hands-on learning through interactive projects to engage students in the fundamentals of engineering, project management, and system engineering. Students will work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and must accomplish their team objectives and milestones by utilizing existing skills and learning new skills.

Additional information on the Make to Innovate (AerE 294 and 494) can be found here.

AerE 361 - Computational Techniques for Aerospace Design Fall 2019 - Fall 2023

Advanced programming, workstation environment, and development of computational tools for aerospace analysis and design. Technical report writing. Application of programming in aerospace engineering design.

Additional Information on teaching AerE 361 can be found here.

AerE 161 - Numerical, Graphical, and Laboratory Techniques for Aerospace Engineering Fall 2019

Computer-based problem solving using Matlab, with emphasis on numerical methods. Introduction to solid modeling and aerospace design using SolidWorks.

AerE 290A/B - Private Pilot and Instrument Ground School Fall 2019– present

In the Fall of 2019, we started a ground school for students interested in obtaining their private pilot’s license (PPL). AerE 290A covered material for taking the written exam for a PPL from the FAA and included topics that covered Part 107 rules. AerE 290B then covered material for taking the written exam for a student instrument rating.

AerE 290 - Independent Study Fall 2009–Spring 2016

The AerE 290 course allowed students to get course credit for Make to Innovate. This was then formalized into an experimental course called 294X. Both 290 and 294 had similar learning outcomes as it was a continuation of the M:2:I program.
AerE 490 - Independent Study Fall 2009–Spring 2016

The AerE 490 course allowed students to get course credit for Make to Innovate. This was then formalized into an experimental course called 494X. Both 490 and 494 had similar learning outcomes as it was a continuation within the M:2:I program.
AerE 160 - Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Fall 2014

Solving aerospace engineering problems and presenting solutions through technical reports. Significant figures and estimation. SI units. Graphing and curve fitting. Introduction to aerospace engineering and engineering design. Spreadsheet programs. History of aerospace. Systems thinking. Team projects. For the Fall 2014 semester, I was the sole instructor for one section of 160.

AerE 265 - Scientific Ballooning Engineering and Operations Fall 2006–Spring 2014

This class will focus on the High Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology (aka HABET program) operations in the Aerospace Engineering department. The class will study the general engineering practices of high-altitude ballooning and the operations involved in launching, flying, and recovering a high-altitude balloon payload. In addition, a Systems Engineering approach to spacecraft systems design will also be discussed as to how it’s implemented into the HABET program.

Grants, Awards and Fellowships

Grants

• Iowa Space Grant Consortium (PI) - $38,000, Special Award for participation in the National Eclipse Balloon Program 2023-2024

• Iowa Space Grant Consortium (Co-PI) - $3,925,000, Base award for ISGC for years 2020-2024

• Iowa Space Grant Consortium (Co-PI) - $1,428,800, Base award for ISGC for years 2018-2020

• Iowa Space Grant Consortium Base Program (PI) - $80,000, Awarded from July 2020 to June 2024

• Proctor and Gamble Grant (PI) - $20,000, Spring 2020 P&G grant for purchasing and updating equipment in the Make to Innovate lab.

• ISGC SHO Award (PI) - $5,000 RAFF, Fall 2019

• ISGC SHO Award (PI) - $5,000 Micro-G, 2019 - 2023

• ISGC SHO Award (PI) - $5,000 MAVRIC, 2017 - 2024

• ISGC SHO Award (PI) - $5,000 HABET, Fall 2018 - 2022

• ISGC SHO (PI) - $5,000 CySat, Fall 2017 - 2022

• ISGC SHO Award (PI) - $5,000 CySLI, Fall 2017 - 2024

• Miller Grant (Co-PI) - $8,500, Spring 2019 Innovative learning framework for classes involving physical systems: Combining the inductive teaching and learning method and the Make To Innovate program

• ISGC Collaborative Grant (Co-PI) - $20,000, Spring 2019 - Spring 2020 - Development of an Innovative Joint Space Instrumentation / Aerospace Engineering Course with Iowa State University and the University of Iowa

• ISGC Collaborative Program Award (PI) - $8,500, Spring 2018 - Teaching professional development

  skills to engineering students in Iowa using virtual and augmented reality

• NASA X-Hab Grant (Co-PI) - $30,000, Spring 2018

• CIRTL-ISU Teaching as Research Grant Award (PI) - $800, Fall 2016

Fellowships

• College of Engineering Entrepreneurship Fellow - $5,000, 2021 - 2024

• Student Innovation Center Fellow - $10,000, 2022 - 2023

Gifts

• Boeing - $47,000 Annual contribution for Make to Innovate

• Collins Aerospace - $20,000, Annual contribution to Make to Innovate

Awards

• American Society of Engineering Education Poster Award - $500, Spring 2019

• Induction into IEEE Etta Kappa Nu Honors Society - Spring 2016

• Iowa State University Professional and Scientific Excellence Award - $1,500 Fall 2014

• Iowa State University Professional and Scientific Teamwork Award - Spring 2014

• NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Award for Capstone - $4,000, Fall 2011

• NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Award - $6,000 Summer 2010