Marine Science Researcher |Â Mechanical Engineer
Alan Williams
Learn about who I am, what I've done, and what I hope to do!
Ever since taking my first engineering classes during my Freshman year at Ironwood High School, I've been thrilled with the practice of the engineering process. I love designing systems, testing them, and determining what I can do to make the system better. Even after taking other elective classes, it was this love that drove me to purse a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona.
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At the U of A, I took several classes that expanded my knowledge of the engineering design with tools such as SolidWorks and MATLAB, and was able practice newly learned skills through student organizations like the Biosystems Engineering Club (BEC). However, the U of A also allowed me to discover an entirely new excitement for the conservation of marine organisms. It was through my time at the BEC that I learned about the Marine Awareness and Conservation Society (MACS) and there many informative outreach programs. It was MACS that ultimately motivated me to take up a minor in Marine Science, and through those classes I became fascinated with aquaculture, marine conservation, and oceanography.
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After graduating from the U of A, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and minors in both Mathematics and Marine Science, I was accepted into the Marine Estuarine Environmental Science(MEES) program at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science(UMCES). I am currently a Masters Student with a focus on Ocean and Earth Sciences working in the Shellfish Aquaculture Innovation Laboratory(SAIL) at the Horn Point Laboratory(HPL). My studies revolve around how sediment plume dynamics created by dredging equipment affects the eastern oyster(Crassostrea virginica) in comparison to submersible, remote operated vehicles(ROVs).
Marine Science Research
August 2021 - Present
University of Maryland Center For Environmental Science
Masters Student focused on Earth and Ocean Sciences
Studying the effects of sediment plume dynamics created by dredging equipment on the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in relation to submersible, remote operated vehicles.
April 2021 - August 2021
Shellfish Aquaculture Innovation Laboratory (UMCES):
General Lab Assistant
Conducted daily lab keeping practices, ranging from the recording of the physical properties of tank water and the feeding of eastern oyster broodstock.
Preformed algae culture maintenance involving the prepping of proper nutrients and media and the inoculation of small- and large-scale vessels.
Fabricated various equipment designed to maintain eastern oysters during growing stages, including: a downweller/upweller system, banjo sieves and carbon filters.
May 2019 - August 2020
Maryland Sea Grant:
Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellow
Assisted Dr Dong Liang and Dr Chris Rowe on their collaborative research on the impact of climate change on diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin, individuals and populations.
Developed an algorithm with Dr Liang using R Studio that used a Regression Spline Mixed Model to relate 2018 diamondback terrapin nest temperatures to the air temperature of the nesting site and make predictions for 2019 nest temperatures using known air temperatures.
Conducted field research with Dr Rowe on the beaches of NAS PAX involving the catching of diamondback terrapin females after their nests were laid and the measuring of the eggs within those nests.
Develop a proposal, research paper, presentation, and conference poster in relation to my research.
Mechanical Engineering Experiences
June 2017 - August 2020
MMT Observatory:
R&D Mech Eng I
Designed over 50 parts and assemblies using SolidWorks 2016/2020 software, based off archived AutoCAD drawings and measurements.
Designed a cart system to transport newly purchased jack system.
Designed a mount for a new jack system, which is designed lift a malfunctioning hydraulics.
Designed a new trailer system to transport vacuum blower equipment for the telescopes mirror.
Located, organized, and archived over 1000 AutoCAD drawings of parts, assemblies, and components using Microsoft Excel.
September 2017 - May 2020
Biosystems Enigneering Club:
Communications Officer - President - Senior Student Advisor
As Senior Student Advisor: assist newly elected officers integrate into the BEC and the Biosystems Engineering Department as well fulfill their roles as President, Vice-President, Project Manager, and Communications Officer.
As President: preside and speak at all general body meetings, delegate task among officers and committees, upkeep the BEC’s membership with various campus organizations, act as public relations between the BEC and student/faculty body.
Previous member of the Aquaponics, ROV, Girl Scout’s Garden, Biosphere 2 Quarantine Tank and Water-shed Committees.
August 2018 - May 2019
Senior Design Project
Worked in a team of different engineering majors to produce a remote control transmitter for our sponsor, Hydronalix.
Used SolidWorks 2019 software in to design waterproof housing for said transmitter.
Develop several testing procedures to determine the efficiency of the housing and other system components as determined by our sponsors requirements.
Wrote and presented a CDR, FAR, User Manual, and Final Poster
Get in Touch!
If you would like to learn more details about my experiences or interested in hiring for your company or project, please contact me. I take calls when I am able but you can always reach me by email!
623-810-1178