Resume

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Experienced Engineer and Scientist specializing in bio-mechatronics and embedded systems with a decade of expertise in developing robotic prostheses, biomechanical evaluation frameworks, and quality-assurance/ hardware-in-the-loop. Proven track record in leading interdisciplinary teams, optimizing real-time software frameworks, and conducting advanced human factors research. Currently focused on developing testing platforms for automated testing of kitchen appliances at Sub-Zero Group.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Senior Embedded Quality-Assurance Engineer, Fitchburg, WI

Sub-Zero Group, Inc., Aug 2024 – Present

  • Developing and executing comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test scripts to validate mechanical and software functionality, performance, usability, and security for the R&D of Sub-Zero's kitchen appliances.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and product managers, to understand hardware and software requirements and ensure proper test coverage.

Research Scientist, Madison, WI

Industrial and Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments, Sept 2023 – Present

Biomechanical Evaluation of Fatigue on Performance from a Human-Factors Perspective

  • Led a pilot project for investigating the effect of mental-fatigue, sleep-deprivation, simulated altered gravity on mental and motor performance using motion/force sensors and vestibular stimulation.
  • Developed a synchronized and real-time software framework for collecting data from multiple sensors (motion, force, video, muscle activation) and computers (Linux, Windows), currently used by multiple lab members.
  • Established a research plan for a Human-Robot Interaction study that will investigate the effect of physical fatigue and adaptive learning on workers’ performances. We will assess handle-haptics, eye-gaze, and body-motion while human-human and human-robot teams co-transport (translate and rotate) objects in a room.
  • I also collaborated with the Mechanical Engineering Department to develop prosthetic controller frameworks.

Graduate Researcher, Madison, WI

Biomechatronics, Assistive Devices, Gait Engineering, and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Jan 2017 - Present

Two Axis aDaptable Ankle (TADA): prosthetic ankle that modulates 2D ankle angle

  • Built the software architecture and evaluated the real-time controller of the TADA using the Robotic Operating System with various C/C++ and Python programs
  • Utilized multi-threaded programs for motors (C/C++), motion/load sensors (Python), and a graphical user interface (Python/HTML) which were distributed among Linux, Windows, and cellular systems
  • Optimized raspberry pi to reduce latencies (real-time kernel patch), use dedicated CPU cores, and have prioritized & locked threads for motor communication using CANopen over EtherCAT
  • Led an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate and graduate students in mechanical design, electronic setup, embedded software and sensor-integration development, and data collection and analysis

Variable Stiffness Foot (VSF): prosthetic foot that modulates foot stiffness

  • Validated embedded software (C program), which used inertial sensors, motors, and a potentiometer for experiments on persons with lower-leg amputations
  • Processed and evaluated 3D marker and force plate data to assess the effect of foot stiffness on lower-limb knee and ankle mechanics

Neuromuscular Coordination Biomechanics Lab, Aug 2014 – Apr 2020

  • Machined prototype and built the user interface and data collection software (LabVIEW) for a custom force-measurement system for standing balance experiments (U.S. patent)
  • Established and validated a frequency-based filtering method (LabVIEW) to characterize foot force control while standing in healthy and stroke-affected people (journal manuscript)

Advisor for Industry Collaborations, Jan 2020 – Present

  • Funding Acquisition: led the writing of the scientific methods for a Small Business Institutional Grant for a collaboration project with medical doctors, prosthetists, academic
    professors, and graduate students
  • Scientific Liaison: ensured effective communication among participants, scientists, engineers, and medical professionals: prosthetists and physical therapists
  • Assistant Conference Chair: coordinated the Dynamic walking 2023 Conference with 130 participants in Madison, WI, from academia and industry in the field of robotics, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence

Graduate Teacher

Introduction to Biomechanics and Introduction to Robotics, Aug 2014 – May 2020
* Led biomechanics lab sessions and office hours, and trained new teaching assistants * Facilitated python-based ROS development and use of robotic arms and mobile mini-cars

EDUCATION

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering: Biomechatronics, Aug 2023
  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Dec 2018
  • Master of Science in Kinesiology (Biomechanics), May 2017

Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: Movement Science, May 2014

SKILLS

Software

Python, C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Bash, Git, Linux, Robotic Operating System (ROS), Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), HTML, Signal Processing (FFT, Wavelet), SOLIDWORKS, Machine Learning

Hardware

Raspberry Pi, ESP32, Arduino, and STM32 with communication using CANopen on EtherCAT (COE), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, I2C, UDP, UART, GPIO, USB

Machining

Lathe, Mill, Soldering, Sewing, Welding, Woodwork, Power tools, Laser-cutting, 3D-printing

Coursework

Advanced Robotics, Advanced Biomechanics, Parallel/GPU Computing, Computational methods for Advanced Kinematics, Research Methods, Statistics for Bioscience

Volunteering

UW-Madison Mech. Eng. Advisory Council: DEI; Black Biomechanists’ Outreach Advisory board

Interests

Gymnastics, Cooking, Electronics, and Design of interactive biomechanics demonstrations

PUBLICATIONS

Patent:

  • Kreg George Gruben, Wendy Lee Boehm, and Kieran Marc Nichols. "Apparatus for Assessing Human Balance Capability." U.S. Patent, No. 15/354,254.

Journal Articles:

In Progress

  • Kieran M. Nichols, Rebecca Roembke, Sofya Akhetova, Peter G. Adamczyk. “Influence of Prosthetic Ankle Angle and Walking Speed on Pylon Moments in the Two Axis aDaptable Ankle.” IEEE/AMSE Transactions on Mechatronics.
  • Kieran M. Nichols, Rebecca Roembke, Peter G. Adamczyk. “Real-time control of the New Two Axis aDaptable Ankle using a Raspberry Pi, ROS, and CANopen motor communication.” MDPI Actuators.
  • Michael J. Greene, Ivan F.E. Simones, Preston R. Lewis, Kieran M. Nichols, and Peter G. Adamczyk. “Non-backdrivable Wedge‐Cam Mechanism for a Semi‐Active Two‐Axis Prosthetic Ankle.” Elsevier Mechatronics.

Published

  • Peter G. Adamczyk, Sara Harper, Alex Reiter, Rebecca Roembke, Yisen Wang, Kieran M. Nichols, Darryl Thelen. “Wearable sensing for understanding and influencing human movement in ecological contexts.” Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering. (2023): 100492.
  • Kieran M. Nichols and Peter G. Adamczyk. "Sensitivity of Lower-Limb Joint Mechanics to Prosthetic Forefoot Stiffness with a Variable Stiffness Foot in Level-Ground Walking." Journal of Biomechanics (2023): 111436.
  • McGeehan, Michael A., Peter G. Adamczyk, Kieran M. Nichols, and Michael E. Hahn. A simulation-based analysis of the effects of variable prosthesis stiffness on interface dynamics between the prosthetic socket and residual limb. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering. no. 9 (2022).
  • McGeehan, Michael A., Peter G. Adamczyk, Kieran M. Nichols, and Michael E. Hahn. "A computational gait model with a below-knee amputation and a semi-active variable-stiffness foot prosthesis." Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 143, no. 12 (2021).
  • McGeehan, Michael A., Peter G. Adamczyk, Kieran M. Nichols, and Michael E. Hahn. "A Reduced-Order Computational Model of a Semi-Active Variable-Stiffness Foot Prosthesis." Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 143, no. 7 (2021).
  • Boehm, Wendy L., Kieran M. Nichols, and Kreg G. Gruben. "Frequency-dependent contributions of sagittal-plane foot force to upright human standing." Journal of Biomechanics 83 (2019): 305-309.
  • Kieran Marc Nichols. “The Characterization of Foot Force Vector Control in Human Standing.” Dissertation. University of Wisconsin--Madison (2016).