PUBLICATIONS (2012 – Present)
A dual-port, smartphone-linked, pocket-size
fluorimeter for rapid molecular diagnostic assays at
point-of-care, 2025 (Manuscript submitted for publication to IEEE)
MS Thesis: A Suction-Based Reversible Attachment and Locomotion Mechanism for an Underway Vessel Hull Cleaning and Inspection Robot, 2017-2020
Design of a Reconfigurable Quality Assurance Phantom for Verifying the Spatial Accuracy of Radiosurgery Treatments for Multiple Brain Metastases, 2019
BS Thesis: Design of a Carbon Fiber Suspension System for FSAE Applications , 2011-2012
TEACHING (1989 – Present)
I am very passionate about the sharing of knowledge because if we’re going to solve some of the world’s problems we have to first be on the same page and then work together to solve them. Ever since December 1989 when I began to teach my parents how to change diapers, or around the time I first learned how to walk, I have continually learned and taught by failing until I succeed. Looking back at my life experiences, I have always learned and will continue to learn (for as long as I can) by doing. My teaching philosophy therefore is akin to experiential learning because in my opinion it is the most natural way of learning. I took on my first job as an educator after undergrad at MIT where I was thrown in the deep end and asked to teach a summer program of 30 high school students. Ever since I have enjoyed teaching and mentoring younger engineering students, sharing as many of my life experiences and lessons with them as I can.
MIT MECHANICAL ENGINEERING , 2012-2013, 2021
Lead Teaching Assistant / Lab Instructor / Mentor
In 2021 I was the lead Teaching Assistant for a classical controls course (2.004) to a class of 30 undergraduate students. I prepared weekly homework assignments and held weekly office hours. The course covered LTI dynamics and controls both in classical and state-space representation.
In 2013 I taught a lab section in the MIT undergraduate first year course Toy Product Design (2.00b). The team of five designed and built an interactive floor board that lit up when stepped on.
In 2012 I mentored a team in the MIT undergraduate senior capstone course Product Engineering Processes (2.009) with the design and build of an alpha prototype of a rain shield for bikers.
ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT, 2019-2020
Teaching Assistant
Engineering Systems Design & Development (ESDD) is an MIT senior capstone course in designing and engineering novel systems ranging from underwater vehicles to disaster relief systems. As the teaching assistant in the course, I provided feedback in student design reviews and oversaw the class calendar and logistics.
MIT MUSEUM STUDIO, 2015
Teaching Assistant
The MIT Museum Compton Gallery offers a course to undergraduates where they work on hands-on projects that go on display at the end of the course. I was a mechanical engineering consultant brought on to help the students design and fabricate the mechanisms part of the 6 x 30 ft roller coaster display that year. I taught students hands-on fabrication and assembly skills and design and engineering skills.
EDW & EAS COURSES, 2012-2015
Lead Instructor / Co-instructor
The Engineering Design Workshop (EDW) and Engineering, Art & Science (EAS) Seminar are courses I co-taught at MIT for 4 years. 20-25 students got into self-selected teams and took an idea to fruition. Projects have included the laser seal, electric vehicles, light displays, and museum exhibits. I designed parts of the curriculum and workshops taught in the course.
JOHN D. O’BRYANT ENGINEERING PATHWAY PROGRAM, 2012-2014
Teaching Assistant / Mentor
I taught lessons to a class of 25 high school freshmen in general engineering including mechanical, electrical, and programmingI also mentored the school’s FIRST Robotics team.
FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICS, 2009-2011
Instructor / Teaching Assistant
I taught introductory physics courses in Classical Mechanics (8.01) and Electricity & Magnetism (8.02) to first year undergraduates in the Experimental Study Group (ESG) during my undergraduate years. I also tutored individual students who needed extra help.
Alban Cobi Design & Engineering | Mechanical Engineering Services 