2008-2009 University Scholar Profile
Abraham Pachikara
Mentor: Richard Lind
College of Engineering
"I applied for the opportunity to do funded research. The funding puts some legitimacy to my work as well as relieves financial obligations so I can focus on the work at hand. I hope to learn as much as I can on my topic, and gain experience on researching in general as I plan to do graduate studies and hopefully one day become a research engineer. I also hope to develop a better relationship with my mentor and learn as much as I can from him in aerospace engineering as well as any life lessons he could provide."
Courses of Study
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Minor
Mathematics
Research Interests
Dynamics, controls, astrodynamics, aerodynamics structural dynamics and fluid mechanics; mathematics, specifically linear algebra and analysis
Awards
- Boeing Company Scholar
- C. Addison Pound Scholar (academic merit in the College of Engineering)
- Anderson Scholar
- 2007 Center for Condensed Matter Sciences Fellowship
- Collins Engineering Scholar
- Florida Bright Futures Scholar
- First Data Corporation Scholar
- Mu Alpha Theta math competition, winner of several team and individual awards at the regional, state, and national level
Volunteer Service / Organizations
- Treasurer, UF chapter of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 2007-2009
- Aerodynamics team leader, 2008-2009 UF DBF team
Hobbies/Activities
Playing guitar, watching certain good television programs, playing video games and watching college football
Research Description
Three Dimensional Motion Planning for UAVs
This project aims to develop a systematic and optimal (when possible) way to plan trajectories for unmanned air vehicles. These trajectories will correspond to complete three dimensional motion, and will take into account if the environmental factors - such as obstacles or targets. This project will extend the ground work developed for two dimension motion planning and solve any complications that arise when moving to the third dimension.
Back to the Journal of Undergraduate Research
