Alexander Wilcher’s professional and academic experiences have extended over a broad range, and has always had a focus on creating value and self-improvement while striving to benefit others.
His professional career started as a logistics specialist in the United States Marine Corps, he was Honorably discharged in 2011, and then co founded and managed a successful automotive service center, Advintage Global, Inc. He then transitioned to a position as department manager in the aerospace industry at Jalux Americas. In 2016 he began work as a project manager for Western Partitions Inc.
His academic career began in earnest in 2011 with the pursuit of his associate degree obtained in 2013 from the College of Southern Nevada. In 2016 he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Non Academic education has also been earned and includes a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and certification as a Nevada Veterans Advocate.
Aside from professional and academic experiences, he has also sought to benefit others; this includes volunteer work with the Northern Nevada Veterans Resource Center, UNR’s Veterans & Military Center, and Nevada Department Veteran’s Services’ to support local veterans in need.
Currently, Alexander is a 2nd year electrical engineering PhD student and research assistant at the University of Florida. His research is focused on radio frequency metaconductors. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact him at wilcheralexander@ufl.edu.
Chethan Magnan is a 1st-year undergraduate student at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has experience on multiple research teams, focused on reducing assembly line costs, exploring computing education with analogies, and developing smart systems with machine learning for computer vision and force-sensitive resistor technology. After graduating from MTU, he will pursue a Ph.D. in computer engineering, concentrating on machine learning applications to improve the human condition. After that, he plans to either become a professor or start his own business focused on improving people’s lives with applications of machine learning technology. In his free time, he is furthering his social venture, School Swamp, to improve computing education in impoverished communities, hiking, doing calisthenics, reading, or learning more about the world. The current focus is on learning how to speak basic Korean so he can make the most of his time in Korea.
Christopher Napoles is a third-year undergraduate student studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. He has participated in Professor Abbitt’s wind tunnel project, Gator Motorsports’s Formula 1 design competition, and Dr. Yu Wang’s research lab for smart autonomous vehicles. He is finding a passion for astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, with a special interest in autonomous vehicles. Eventually, he’d like to return to farmwork using drones for agricultural surveying. Outside of his academics, Chris plays baseball as a catcher, as well as volleyball, racquetball, basketball, and rock climbing. With his Nicaraguan and Cuban culture and Spanish as his first language, Chris also attends many social events hosted by Hispanic and African organizations on campus. He will be working in Professor Hyuk-Jae Lee’s Computer Architecture and Parallel Processing Laboratory at Seoul National University.
Elizabeth Mueller is a second-year undergraduate student at Michigan Technological University studying chemical engineering. She is interested in pursuing nutritional and organic chemistry research. In her free time, Lizzy likes to volunteer at high school robotics competitions and plays video games with her friends. She is very involved with robotics in her area as the president of Copper Country Robotics, a student organization at Michigan Tech. Lizzy is excited to learn about Korean cuisine, language, and culture. Her goal is to travel and see as much of the world as she can.
Joaquin Gonzalez is a 3rd year undergraduate transfer-student at the University of Florida studying Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics. He is part of Tau-Sigma national honor society for transfer students. Currently, Joaquin is involved in the IEEE (2023) Southeastern Convention Hardware Competition with the team at UF, working with the mechanical team to design and construct the robot for the competition. He is excited to be part of the amazing research experience in Korea and hopes to permeate himself with knowledge about smart systems applications. In the future, he plans to pursue an MD-PhD in either Electrical Engineering or Physics. He is also interested in research and development related to robotics, aerospace travel, quantum computers, wireless power transfer, photonics, nanotechnology, superconductors, solid state devices and energy-sustainability. In addition, his goal is to work with Tesla, NASA, Nvidia, or other ambitious individuals and organizations to develop independent projects that help humanity. Apart from academics Joaquin enjoys a balanced life. He likes to try new things, to read, watch movies, adventure with his friends, workout, play the piano or drums and play Squash. To him it is very important to “give your utmost” at every opportunity he can, and he will do so in Korea while enjoying his life.
Wesley Hargrove is a second-year biomedical engineering undergraduate at the University of Florida. With experience in the Keselowsky lab, a protein purification lab, researching cancer chemotherapies he is thrilled to join the IRiKA cohort and study smart systems at Seoul National University. In his free time he improvises comedy with Theater Strike Force, avidly board games, and volunteers by teaching piano and serving the community.
Zoey Mishler is a third-year student at Michigan Technological University, where she is studying Computer Engineering. At MTU, Zoey is a Leading Scholar and a Thompson Scholar, frequently volunteering in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts and other campus functions. After completing her undergraduate studies, Zoey plans to go on to pursue a graduate degree in Data Science with the intention of eventually becoming a professor. Zoey has been assigned to Professor Tae-Woo Lee’s Printed, Flexible Nano, Neuromorphic and Energy Electronics Laboratory at Seoul National University. Outside of academics, Zoey enjoys photography, writing poetry, and listening to music. She is very excited to participate in the NSF IRES: IRiKA program and to experience Korean culture.
IRiKA 