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Patricia Mellodge

Patricia Mellodge headshot

Program Director, Electrical Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture
860.768.5334 UT 304A
Education

PhD, Electrical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

MS, Mathematics, Virginia Tech

MS, Electrical Engineering, Virginia Tech

BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Rhode Island

Academic Experience

Associate Professor | July 2013 - Present

  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • University of Hartford; West Hartford, CT

Adjunct Professor | September 2012 - Present

  • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

Assistant Professor | August 2007 - June 2013

  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • University of Hartford; West Hartford, CT

Research Assistant | January 2004 - August 2007

  • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA
  • Worked in the Microwave Processing Research Facility with a multidisciplinary group consisting of materials engineers, electrical engineers, and chemists. Developed microwave hardware systems utilizing feedback control. Performed research in precious metal reclamation from fuel cell membranes and microwave waste remediation.

Instructor | January 2007 - May 2007; May 2006 - August 2006,

  • Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

Lab Instructor | August 2003 - December 2003

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

Teaching Assistant | June 2003 - August 2003

  • Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

Lab Instructor |June 2002 - August 2002; August 2000 - May 2001

  • Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

 

Industry Experience

Research Assistant | May 2001 - August 2003

  • Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  • Blacksburg, VA
  • Worked with a team of engineers and industrial designers to develop a museum exhibit highlighting automotive technology. Was responsible for the design of an autonomous mobile robot. Developed controller designs for use by the mobile robot. Designed and integrated control hardware and software.

Electrical Engineer | June 1998 - June 2000

  • Optigain, Inc.; Peacedale, RI
  • Designed and prototyped laser and temperature control circuitry for use in erbium doped fiber amplifiers and amplified spontaneous emission sources. Was responsible for PCB design. Integrated designs into full-scale production.

Student Technical Assistant | May 1996 - June 1998

  • Naval Undersea Warfare Center; Newport, RI
  • Assisted in the administration of a Windows NT network with approximately 100 users. Provided on-site technical support. Was responsible for troubleshooting and repairing department computers, printers, and fax machines. Upgraded computer software as necessary.

Visiting Researcher | August 2008

  • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA

Consulting

  • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT; January 2012 – present; Assisting with the mathematical modeling of human balance and electronic hardware design of the experimental instrumentation.
  • Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, CT; September 2010 – August 2011; Investigated the characteristics of nonlinear system behavior and advising students working on the project.
  • Taylor Guitars, El Cajon, CA; September 2008 – May 2013; Investigated the heating behavior of polyurethane coatings and advised students working on the project.

Projects Advised

GRADUATE STUDENT PROJECTS ADVISED

  • Bryant Belin, Interface Design for a DC Motor, Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, December 2011
  • Michael Carpinteri, Single Phase Self Excited Induction Generator with Voltage and Frequency Control, Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, May 2013

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PROJECTS ADVISED

  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Trinity College Fire Fighting Robot Contest; Spring 2013
  • Annie Becerra; Microcontroller Automated Laser Reflection; Electrical Engineering; Spring 2013
  • Ferdinand Aliaj, Joel Daniel, and Robert Hilton; Inverted Pendulum Robot; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Spring 2013
  • Luke Citriniti; Hand Controlled Cable Car; Computer Engineering; Fall 2012
  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Wireless Patient Monitoring System; Spring 2012
  • Matthew Langille and Jonathan Leon; Electronically Controlled Exoskeleton for Mobility Assistance; Electrical Engineering; Spring 2012
  • Teja Gandi and Gregory Lallman; A Simulated Microwave Curing Process of Polyurethane Coated Wood in COMSOL; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Spring 2012
  • Todd Graul, Nicole Hernandez, and Daniel Pilke; Design and Construction of a Ukulele Mounting Device for a Microwave Oven; Mechanical Engineering Technology; Spring 2012
  • Terry Wright; Satellite Control System; Electronic Engineering Technology; Fall 2011
  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Using TEC-nology to Regulate Core Body Temperature; Spring 2011
  • David Comeau and Vanessa Lannaman; Prediction of Limit Cycles; Electrical Engineering; Spring 2011
  • Christopher DiPreta, Calvin Ortique, Paul Sekas, and Laura Zeleznicky; Design and Construction of a Microwave Conveyor Belt; Mechanical Engineering Technology; Spring 2011
  • Fouad El Khoury; The Heat is On? Part II; Computer Engineering; Spring 2011
  • Gregory Giddings and Richard Laraque; Identifying Principles of Balance Control; Electrical Engineering; Spring 2011
  • Jeljk Jagodickuridza and Michal Lach; Balance and Coordination During Curvilinear Locomotion; Electrical Engineering; Spring 2011
  • Tom Burns and David Dick; Design of a Repeatable Guitar Picker; Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Fall 2010
  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Wheelchair 2.0; Spring 2010
  • Brad Deschenes and Klaudio Doko; The Heat is On?; Computer Engineering; Spring 2010
  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Remotely Monitoring a Patient’s Mobility; Spring 2009
  • Engineering By Design Class Project; Digital Health; Spring 2008

Refereeing and Reviewing

  • IEEE Press
  • Taylor & Francis/CRC Press
  • IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
  • IEEE Potentials Magazine
  • 2nd Global Conference on Microwave Energy Applications
  • 2011 ASEE-NE Section Conference
  • 2010 ASEE Annual Conference
  • 2009 ASEE Annual Conference
  • 2007 American Control Conference
  • Proceedings of the 30th International Conference and Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites

Seminars Given

  • Using the Arduino Platform to Enhance Student Learning Experiences, Our Best Work: A Celebration of Innovation in Teaching and Learning, University of Hartford, September 2011
  • Engineering Creativity, Our Campus Creates, University of Hartford, August 2011
  • Classes without Quizzes, Hawktober Weekend, University of Hartford, October 2010
  • Introduction to LabVIEW, Life Support and Sustainable Living Program, University of Hartford, January 2009  

Workshop Attendance

  • Introduction to COMSOL, University of Connecticut, March 2011
  • Purdue Guitar Workshop, Purdue University week-long guitar building workshop, July 2010
  • Exploring Comprehensive Design and Product Lifecycle Management through Guitar Design and Manufacture, Purdue University four-day workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation, July 2009
  • Introduction to LabVIEW and Computer-Based Measurements Hands-On Seminar, National Instruments seminar hosted by Bloomy Controls, June 2009
  • Introduction to LabVIEW, National Instruments course hosted at the University of Hartford, September 2008
  • Enhancing Student Engagement through Problem-Based Learning, Institute for Transforming Undergraduate Education two-day workshop hosted at the University of Hartford, May 2008
  • Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Virginia Tech Environmental Health and Safety Services training, June 2006
  • Successful Grant Writing, Virginia Tech Faculty Development Institute workshop, September 2005

Professional Service

  • Chair, IEEE-CT Student Activities Committee, Fall 2013 – present
  • Faculty Advisor, University of Hartford IEEE Student Branch, Fall 2010 – present
  • Session Co-Chair and student poster judge, 2nd Global Conference on Microwave Energy Applications, July 2012
  • Judge, 2008 & 2009 Connecticut Invention Convention
  • Volunteer, MEPS (Materials Engineering Professional Societies), Fall 2005 – Spring 2007
  • Judge, 2005 FIRST LEGO League

Faculty Committees

  • Working Group on Annual Faculty Evaluation; Spring 2013 – Fall 2013
  • FCLD Faculty Advisory Committee; Spring 2010 – present
  • Academic Standings Committee for the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture; Spring 2009 – present
  • President’s Commission on Full-time Faculty Compensation; Spring 2011 – Spring 2012
  • Faculty Senate; Fall 2008 – Spring 2012
  • Bent, Larson, Trachtenberg committee; AY 2009-10, AY 2011-2012
  • Environmental and Sustainability committee; AY 2008-09, AY 2009-10
  • Faculty Affairs committee; AY 2010-2011
  • Grants and Stipends committee; AY 2008-09, AY 2011-2012
  • Student Affairs committee; AY 2010-2011
  • Faculty Search Committee, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering; Spring 2010

Professional Societies

  • Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honor Society
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Research Areas
  • Nonlinear control design using abstraction
  • Mathematical modeling of microwave-material interactions
  • Bio-instrumentation and digital health application

Honors and Awards

  • Fall 2005 Virginia Tech SIAM Student Chapter’s Outstanding Presentation Award
  • 2001 Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Academic Achievement Award
  • 1998 URI President’s Award for Student Excellence in Electrical Engineering
  • 1998 Eta Kappa Nu inductee
  • 1995 Junior Pan American Games Bronze Medalist in the Hammer Throw
  • 1995 United States Junior National Hammer Champion
  • 1994-1998 URI Centennial Scholar

Grants

  • Reducing Human Falls through Mathematical Equations, subcontractor with Assistant Professor Adam Goodworth, Greenberg Junior Faculty Research Grant, University of Hartford, AY 2012-2013, $8850.00
  • Development of Dana 321 into an Automated Systems Laboratory, with Professors Hisham Alnajjar and Ladimer Nagurney, College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture Faculty/Student Initiatives Grant, University of Hartford, Summer 2012, $6000
  • Using the Arduino Platform to Enhance Student Learning Experiences, Co-PI with Professor Ingrid Russell, Educational Technology Grant, University of Hartford, Summer 2011, $9006.70
  • Microwave Processing of Guitar Woods: Development of a Summer Transitional Program, Summer Stipend, University of Hartford, Summer 2010, $2500
  • Developing Faculty Expertise in the Use of ELVIS II Hardware Modules for Engineering Technology Courses, Educational Technology Grant, University of Hartford, Summer 2009, $3916.25
  • Using Wikis in Engineering by Design, Emerging Technologies Pilot Program, University of Hartford, Spring 2009, $1000

Books

  • P. Mellodge and P. Kachroo, Model Abstraction in Dynamical Systems: Application to Mobile Robot Control, Springer, October 2008.

  • P. Kachroo and P. Mellodge, Mobile Robotic Car Design, McGraw-Hill, August 2004.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers

  • P. Mellodge and C. Vendetti, “Remotely Monitoring a Patient’s Mobility: A Digital Health Application,” IEEE Potentials, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 33-38, March/April 2011.

  • P. Mellodge and D. Folz, “Microwave Curing of Guitar Finishes,” IEEE GOLDRush, pg. 13, March 2011.

  • P. Mellodge and P. Kachroo, “Uncertainty Propagation in Control Systems Via the Liouville Equation,” International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 392-399, 2010.

  • P. Mellodge and P. Kachroo, “Uncertainty Propagation in Abstracted Systems Via the Liouville Equation,” Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, vol. 132, no. 4, pp. 044503-1 – 044503-4, July 2010.

  • P. Mellodge and P. Kachroo, “Scaled instrumented vehicle system: modelling, control, and hardware,” International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems, vol. 2, no. 1/2, pp. 71-103, 2004.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations with Published Proceedings

  • P. Mellodge, T. Gandi, and G. Lallman, “Modeling the Curing of Polyurethane in a Multi-mode Microwave Cavity Using COMSOL,” Proceedings of the 2nd Global Conference on Microwave Energy Applications, 2013, pp. 177-189.

  • V. Quattropani, D. Suttmeier, and P. Mellodge, “Assisted Mobility Wheelchair with Data Acquisition,” Proceedings of the 2011 ASEE-NE Section Conference, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, April 29-30, 2011.

  • P. Mellodge and D. Folz, “A Summer Transitional Program for an Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Project: Planning and Assessment,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, KY, June 20-23, 2010.

  • P. Mellodge and F. El Khoury, “Using Wikis in a Sophomore Engineering Design Course,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, KY, June 20-23, 2010.

  • P. Mellodge and D. Folz, “A Multi-University, Interdisciplinary Senior Design Project in Engineering,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, TX, June 14-17, 2009.

  • P. Mellodge and B. Deschenes, “Digital Health: A Sophomore Level Interdisciplinary Engineering Design Project Course,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, TX, June 14-17, 2009.

  • J. Hill and P. Mellodge, “Control System Design and Implementation Using the Motor Controls Toolkit - The Robotic Car,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA, June 22-25, 2008.

  • P. Mellodge and P. Kachroo, “Open-Loop Vehicle Control Using an Abstraction of its Model,” Proceedings of the American Control Conference, pp. 3023-3028, New York, NY, July 9-13, 2007.

  • P. Mellodge, J. West, D. Folz, and D. Clark, “Heating Rates of Silicon Carbide in a Microwave Field,” Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings: Mechanical Properties and Performance of Engineering Ceramics and Composites II, R. Tandon, ed., vol. 27, issue 2, pp. 505-512, Cocoa Beach, FL, January 22-27, 2006.

Conference Presentations without Published Proceedings

  • P. Mellodge and I. Russell, “Using the Arduino Platform to Enhance Student Learning Experiences,” presented at the 18th Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, University of Kent at Canterbury, United Kingdom, July 1-3, 2013.

  • D.C. Folz, P. Mellodge, R.D. Celmer, “A University-Industry Collaboration to Implement Microwave Processing,” presented at the 2nd Global Conference on Microwave Energy Applications, Long Beach, CA, July 23-27, 2012.

  • D. Comeau, V. Lannaman, and P. Mellodge, “Prediction of Limit Cycles in a Control System with Nested Feedback Loops” presented at the 2011 SIAM Conference on Control & Its Applications, Baltimore, MD, July 25-27, 2011.

  • P. Mellodge and S.S. Townsend, “Approximating Bessel Functions of the First Kind Using Super-Gaussians,” presented at the Joint Mathematical Meetings, Washington DC, January 8, 2009.