Bio and Resume

(Technically, this isn’t Mike’s real blog. That’s over here. This is more of an example of how a graduate student nearing the job market might want to set up their own site.)

I’m Mike Renfro and I’m a research and development engineer for the Center for Manufacturing Research at Tennessee Tech University. I’m using this blog to keep a journal of my work in systems administration, high-performance computing, and mechanical design as it relates to various research projects that come through the CMR. Previously, I was an engineering graphics instructor for TTU’s Basic Engineering program. To contact me, please email renfro@tntech.edu.

Resume

Mike Renfro
510 Fisk Road, Cookeville, TN 38501

Objective

Admission to an Engineering PhD program with emphasis in Mechanical Engineering and research in computational and experimental methods in solid mechanics.

Education

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
1995 – 1998

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering. Research topic was the development of non-destructive evaluation method for determining the length of embedded wooden bridge piles. Experience with Matlab programming, random signal analysis, data acquisition, and experimental modal analysis.

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
1989 – 1995

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, mechanical systems area of concentration. Two years cooperative education experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory including duties in computer-aided design support, Unix systems administration, mechanical design, and structural finite element analysis. Member, Pi Tau Sigma. Student instructor and computer support person for university Honors Program.

Experience

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
2000 – Present
Research and Development Engineer, Center for Manufacturing Research

  • Installed and managed Linux and Solaris workstations and servers for Computer Aided Engineering Network. Configured and maintained small high-performance computing cluster  used primarily by students and faculty in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering departments. Provided programming and development support for engineering students using Matlab, Python, and Fortran.
  • Worked with university and external clients on testing projects in mechanical vibrations, strength of materials, rapid prototyping, CNC machining, reverse engineering, and dimensional measurements.
  • Designed test fixtures, frames, and other machines used in projects for the US Department of Energy and the US Veterans Administration.
  • Adjunct faculty for Mechanical Engineering department. Taught introductory classes on numerical methods and Matlab programming. Assisted with CAD and FEA topics for classes in applied machine design, advanced CAD/CAM, and design for manufacturability using Pro/E Wildfire and Ansys Workbench.

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
1998 – 2000
Instructor, Basic Engineering

  • Taught classes in introductory engineering graphics to first-year engineering and industrial technology students. Classes covered reading engineering drawings, hand sketches in orthographic and pictorial views, 2D AutoCAD, parametric solid modeling with Mechanical Desktop, and basic dimensioning and tolerancing.

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
1996 – 1997
Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Manufacturing Research

  • Assisted in development of accelerometer-based measurement system to identify noisy gearmotors for automotive applications.

Interests

  • PHP and Python programming
  • Computer gaming
  • Digital photography
  • Bicycling

renfro@tntech.edu – 931-372-3601