
Michael Gutierrez
Astrophysics @ Caltech
summary
I'm a fourth-year undergraduate at Caltech. I have a passion for learning how the universe works and pushing the bounds of human achievement. My dream job is one where I can do exactly that—I love to get my hands dirty and dive deep into rabbit holes (figuratively or literally), and I'm not coming back up until I've cleared a path to Wonderland!
Skills
Software
- SOLIDWORKS
- OnShape
- Ansys Electronics Desktop (HFSS)
- KiCad PCB Design
- Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS)
- Cadence Microwave Office
- Python
- Neovim
- GNU Radio
- Data Visualization (Bokeh, Manim)
- Blender
Hardware
- Embedded Systems
- CNC Machining
- Prototyping
- 3D Printing
- Surface Mount Soldering
- PCB Fabrication
- Design for Manufacturing
Work Experience (6)
Created and tested the first prototype of a 500MHz dipole antenna array for radio astronomy and Fast Radio Burst (FRB) detection
Simulated and optimized antenna performance with Ansys HFSS software
Designed and fabricated a low-noise amplifier (LNA) circuit board using KiCad and Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS)
3D modeled and printed mechanical supports for the antennas using OnShape
For my Senior Thesis, collaborated with RF engineer colleagues to scale up the design for a 256-element array to be deployed at Owens Valley Radio Observatory
Prototyping and testing of LoRa-based radio communications for (short term) high-altitude balloon payloads and (long term) an orbital CubeSat
Restoring Moore Lab's 6m radio antenna for astronomy and satcom applications (Receiver calibration, signal pathway component selection, RFI hunting)
Mentor junior members (mechanical, electrical, comp sci principles)
Analyzed "waterfall" data of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) from the CHIME/FRB Public Database utilizing unsupervised machine learning tools (UMAP, t-SNE, k-means)
Created interactive plots to visualize how the algorithms categorized individual FRBs
Arrived at evidence for a single astrophysical origin of FRBs
Integration and testing for flight models of AERO/VISTA CubeSats
Developed an open-source ground station interface with GNU Radio to automate satcom operations for Westford Radio Antenna UHF uplink/downlink
Prototyping and manufacturing design for electric vehicle battery packs
Used CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE software to design parts/assemblies
Ran environmental tests (vibration and ingress) on high voltage & structural battery components for integration into vehicles
Led hardware team and collaborated with software engineers; organized and integrated efforts to develop a suite of novel, low-cost, and patentable remote water sensors
Identified and resolved water analysis needs of industrial customers for process improvement and cost savings, e.g. in-situ water chemistry measurement, real-time data analytics, etc.
Designed plug-and-play sensor frameworks using 3-D CAD and simulation programs
Fabricated, tested, and deployed sensing solutions; ran on-site beta tests with customers
Education (1)
- Advanced Classical, Quantum, Statistical Mechanics
- Electricity + Magnetism
- Cosmology
- Stellar Structure and Thermodynamics
- CAD Design and Prototype Fabrication
- Robotics (Mechanical, Electrical, and Software)
- Space Frames and Structures
- Complex Analysis
- Storytelling for Scientists
Interests (1)
Values
- Open communication
- Collaboration
- Work-life balance
- Perseverance
- Sense of humor