Current Projects
PhD Thesis Research – Tennis Racket Vibration and Player Feel
PI: Jan-Anders Mansson
My thesis research – tennis racket feel and control – examines the relationship between racket properties and player sensory perception, primarily vibrotactile sensations. Our first paper defined several feel parameters – Shock Ratio (quantifies peak, jarring force) and Nervousness (quantifies lingering vibration) – based on the accelerations recorded at the racket handle through experimental modal analysis. Now, my focus is on exploring how common racket customization methods effect these parameters and the vibration response. We have also designed a novel handle pallet (component under the grip tape) by leveraging the configurability and inherent damping afforded by additively manufactured components. See publications page for all papers referenced in the slideshow.
Tennis Equipment and Injury Assessment
Dr. Apollo Tran (USF Morsani College of Medicine) is leading a scoping review to investigate established relationships between tennis racket properties and injury risk factors. I was invited to join the project to focus on studies with an aspect of vibration. Our work was presented at the Emory Sports Conference and AMSSM (American Medical Society for Sports Medicine) 2026. Scoping review paper to follow.
Predicting Fandom from NCAA March Madness Bracket Entries
My colleague (Daniel Castro) and I submitted an entry into the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Case Competition in 2025. We were tasked with predicting fandom based on customer geographic information and the NCAA March Madness bracket selections they made. Our finalist presentation can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/HXTg1VswOOU?si=guJCkZgsyJpTx7ki&t=1400. This work is ongoing with more details to be published soon.
Previous Projects
As an undergraduate student I spent several semesters at the Advanced Manufacturing Processes Laboratory at Rutgers University under the direction of Rajiv Malhotra. While there I focused on operating a multiplexed FFF 3D printer and conducting calculations on the throughput achievable with the setup. I also completed a JJ Slade Honors thesis wherein I developed a script to automatically generate toolpaths for this printer with variable infill patterns and densities.