Background

About Me

A fuller professional background for visitors who want more context behind the research, projects, tools, and writing on this site.

Robotics, sensing, and useful engineering

I work across robotics, mechatronics, embedded systems, control, computer vision, and automation, with research centered on bio-inspired robotic systems, visual servoing, sensing, and experimental validation.

This page is intentionally concise. The main site stays focused on the work itself, while this space gives a clearer picture of the path behind it.

Research Projects Google Scholar

Professional Affiliations

IEEE

Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

RAS

Member, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.

ASME

Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

SUT

Member, Society for Underwater Technology.

Skills and Software

Embedded C and embedded controllers Embedded controllers and microcontrollers KiCad PCB design

Hardware and test skills include electromechanical systems, sensors, actuators, encoders, DAQ, instrumentation, test fixtures, prototyping, motor drives, embedded controllers, ESP32, Atmel, Microchip, NI cRIO, myRIO, ELVIS, KiCad, LTspice, commissioning, and testing.

MATLAB and Simulink ANSYS and APDL

Control and analysis skills include servo control, motion control, robot kinematics, robot dynamics, dynamic modeling, system identification, state estimation, parameter estimation, visual servoing, perception, MATLAB, Simulink, ANSYS, APDL, LabVIEW, experiment design, and V&V.

Python Node.js C++ C sharp ASP.NET and .NET Azure deployment SolidWorks CAD AutoCAD

Software, AI, and CAD skills include C, C++, C#, Python, ASP.NET, Node.js, robotics algorithms, real-time embedded systems, machine learning, AI, LLM and OpenAI API workflows, data analysis, test automation, Azure deployment, debugging, system integration, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, and Inventor.

Education

2022 - 2026

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

University of Houston, Houston, TX. Area: Robotics and Control Systems.

2016 - 2018

M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering

National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan. Research: FEM and Microelectromechanical Systems.

2011 - 2015

B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering

National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.

Experience

Aug 2022 - Present

Research Assistant and Lab Manager

University of Houston, Houston, TX. Research focus: bio-inspired robotics, dynamics, controls, visual servoing, sensing, and experimental validation.

  • Develop physics-based dynamic models, control and estimation algorithms, and experimental protocols for autonomous underwater robotic systems.
  • Integrate embedded controllers, actuators, sensors, vision algorithms, and operator software for system-level testing and verification.
  • Build MATLAB/Python tools for simulation, data acquisition, performance analysis, model validation, and repeatable test automation.
  • Manage laboratory operations, equipment access, procurement, preventive maintenance, SOPs, and audit-ready documentation.
Jan 2021 - May 2022

Teaching Assistant / Primary Instructor

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. Courses: Introduction to Robotics, Applied Power Technologies, and Hardware-Software Design.

  • Designed lectures, laboratory equipment, hands-on projects, assessment rubrics, and design reviews covering robot kinematics, motion control, embedded systems, testing, and technical documentation.
Sep 2015 - Dec 2020

Lab Engineer

National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan. Courses included Linear Control Systems, Object-Oriented Programming, Electromechanical Systems, Instrumentation and Measurements, Mechanics of Materials, Workshop Practice, and Industrial Electronics.

  • Designed, assembled, commissioned, calibrated, and maintained electromechanical test systems involving sensors, actuators, DAQ hardware, motor drives, embedded controllers, and instrumentation.
  • Applied MATLAB/ANSYS simulation, dynamic modeling, experimental design, root-cause analysis, verification, and validation to resolve hardware, software, and measurement issues.
  • Supervised senior design projects involving unmanned ground vehicles, robotic mechanisms, diagnostics, system integration, prototype testing, and feasibility assessment.
Apr 2019 - Dec 2020

Research Associate

National Centre of Robotics and Automation, Pakistan. Projects included an insulator washing robot, solar panel cleaner, unmanned ground vehicles, and spray paint robot.

  • Led teams of engineers and technicians developing deployable robotic and automation systems from requirements and feasibility through design, integration, commissioning, validation, and delivery.
  • Managed scope, technical assignments, milestones, cost analysis, procurement, fabrication, risk tracking, acceptance testing, and client handover.
  • Coordinated mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, vendor, industrial client, and research stakeholders to resolve technical and schedule risks.