The Story & Achievements
I founded Villanova's Combat Robotics Club with a vision, growing it into a thriving community of over 30 dedicated members. As President, I lead the charge in bringing destructive engineering to life, overseeing everything from high-level strategy to the granular details of robot fabrication.
My journey started with a solo endeavor—designing and building a 3lb combat robot that successfully competed in the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL), making it past qualifiers and deep into the main bracket. Through an iterative design process, I learned on the fly, machining and 3D printing custom parts while constantly refining my robot's performance. Now, I'm taking things to the next level by designing a 12lb multibot equipped with a flamethrower.
Beyond my own builds, I mentor three 3lb combat robot teams and one 12lb team. I established a dedicated workspace in the Villanova Robotics Lab, where I host hands-on workshops teaching everything from SolidWorks CAD design to complex electronic component wiring. To ensure safety and NHRL compliance, I meticulously analyze rulebooks, oversee safe building practices, and even designed and built a custom test cage for safe weapon testing.
Key Leadership & Operational Roles
- Club Operations & Management: Orchestrate all General Body Meetings (GBMs), direct communications with the university, and handle the club's complex logistics—including managing hotel bookings, transportation, food, and competition deadlines.
- Financial Leadership: Successfully secured crucial funding from the university and external corporate sponsors. I manage the budget across all teams, order all parts, and ensure we maximize our resources without overspending.
- Campus Presence & Networking: Spearheaded on-campus events to drive recruitment and visibility. I also organize specialized events with potential employers to create networking opportunities for club members.
- Technical Mentorship & Safety: Ensure all designs meet strict safety and competition standards while providing hands-on mentorship in fabrication, 3D printing, machining, and engineering design principles.
