Digital Fabrication, Makerspaces, and Studio Leadership
I am an experienced teacher and practitioner of CAD, CAM, and digital fabrication with extensive background overseeing academic makerspaces and fabrication labs in liberal arts settings. My work spans hands-on instruction, student project advising, faculty consultation, equipment operation and maintenance, and program leadership.
I specialize in building accessible, well-run shops that students and faculty actively want to use—spaces grounded in safety, precision, mentorship, and sustained engagement with materials and ideas.
Curricular Support & Teaching
A core part of my work has been direct instruction and supervision of students completing fabrication-based coursework across STEM, design, and the arts.
I regularly taught and supported:
CAD and drafting workflows
material selection and prototyping strategies
safe operation of fabrication equipment
iterative design and model-making
Instruction took place through:
scheduled class visits
group training sessions
extensive one-on-one mentoring
Many students arrived with strong ideas but uncertainty about how to execute them. Helping students identify appropriate tools, software, and materials—and then guiding them through production—was the everyday reality of my work in university labs.
Tools & processes taught
CNC milling (toolpathing, fixturing, workflow planning)
laser cutting and engraving
3D printing (multiple platforms, slicing, troubleshooting)
3D scanning and digital capture
digital illustration and vector workflows
large-format printing and scanning
Project Advising & Consulting
I have extensive experience serving as a campus-wide fabrication consultant for:
honors theses
independent studies
research projects
faculty-led experimentation
At Wesleyan University, I worked closely with students, staff, and faculty to:
develop experimental designs
select materials and fabrication methods
prototype and refine designs
fabricate tools, components, and research artifacts
provide hands-on training in equipment and safety
This work often involved close collaboration over long timelines, helping projects evolve from early concepts into functional, well-executed outcomes.
I also supported grant development by advising on technical feasibility, equipment needs, and fabrication workflows.
Makerspace Operations & Program Leadership
I have overseen daily operations and long-term planning for academic fabrication facilities, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and reporting.
At Wesleyan, I directed and expanded the Digital Design Studio (DDS) through competitive funding from the Mellon Foundation and the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, supporting:
infrastructure expansion
staffing and training models
equipment acquisition and lifecycle planning
Our team developed a peer support model, hiring, training, and managing 7–10 student staff per semester. This model emphasized:
safety
peer mentorship
technical competency
leadership, accountability, and stewardship
inclusive hiring and professional development
creative problem solving, collaboration, and empathy
Over seven years, the DDS served 300+ users each semester with a zero-accident safety record.
Technology Support & Capital Management
I have hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting a wide range of fabrication equipment and associated software.
My work has included:
routine calibration and maintenance
machine setup and cleaning
software configuration and updates
workflow scheduling around courses and research
documentation and safety enforcement
My technical background spans:
CNC machining (conventional and CNC)
3D printing (multiple platforms)
laser cutting
woodworking and fabrication
digital scanning and capture
electronics and basic physical computing systems
I emphasize preventive maintenance, careful documentation, and shared responsibility to keep facilities reliable and safe.