Melina
Fuentes-Garcia
Research Scientist & Engineer
Who I Am
About Me
From a young age, my natural interest in mathematics drove me to pursue higher education in science and engineering. Throughout my academic journey, I have been involved in advocacy efforts to encourage under-represented groups to explore their passions in STEM, something I hope to continue in future endeavors.
Summary
Interdisciplinary researcher with 10+ years experience in instrumentation, control systems, hardware fabrication, analog/digital electronics, ultra-high vacuum systems, and advanced measurement techniques.
Click here to view my resume
Where i've Worked
Research Experience
2022 to Present
Vacuum Systems engineer
LIGO Lab
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA, USA
- Manage and oversee ultra high vacuum systems (<1E-9 Torr)
- Support vacuum recovery, material outgassing, scatter, and optical contamination research labs
- Perform cleaning, vacuum baking, RGA qualification, and leak testing
- Design/test/integrate data acquisition and control systems
- Analyze data to investigate material compatibility issues
- Procure needed equipment, ensure safe operations, and thoroughly document research activities
2021 to 2022
Post doctoral researcher
Physics
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
- Operate experimental particle beam line, including upgrades and maintenance
- Create thin film samples in nanofabrication facility
- Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate students
- Compose, edit, and submit manuscripts for technical publications in leading field journals
2015 to 2021
Graduate Student researcher
Physics
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
- Designed, repaired, and maintained ultra-high vacuum systems
- Repaired existing hardware and fabricated custom analog/digital electronics
- Experienced with instrumentation, system integration, and hardware interfacing
- Tuned, diagnosed, and characterized experimental particle beam line
- Trained over 15 undergraduate visiting scholars, interns, and workers
2015
research Lab Assistant
Physics
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
- Assembled electrical components, diagnosed issues, and developed interactive control software
- Trained undergraduate interns and workers
Where i've TAUGHT
Teaching Experience
2020 to 2022
Part-Time Professor
Physics
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, CA, USA
- Taught Introduction to Physics (Conceptual Physics) and College Physics II (Electromagnetism & Optics)
- Class sizes between 25-60 students
- Created and presented material for lectures
- Prepared and conducted laboratory sessions
- Created new laboratory manuals for remote courses
2016 & 2021
Teaching Assistant
Physics
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
- Taught Electronics for Physicists & General Physics II (Thermodynamics)
- Taught Intro to Materials Science & Engineering, and Intro to Mechatronics
- Created and presented material for discussion sections
- Prepared and conducted laboratory sessions
- Revised laboratory manuals for efficiency
2014
Peer Educator
Academic Resource Center
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
- Assisted remedial math students, to achieve retention in College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences
- Mentored ~5 students in their adjustment to college life
- Tutored intermediate algebra in one-on-one and small group sessions of ~10 students
2014
Tutor
Mathematics
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA, USA
- Tutored in one-on-one and group settings of ~50 students
- Topics included intermediate algebra up to multi-variable calculus
- Designed and taught calculus workshops of small groups of ~10 students
What i've Learned
Education
2021
Doctor of Philosophy
Ph.D.
Materials Science & Engineering
Physics research group
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
2018
Master of Science
M.S.
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Dual program
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
2014
Bachelor of Science
B.S.
Applied Mathematics
Physics
Double major
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
2012
Associate of Science
A.S.
Mathematics
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA, USA
What i can do
Skills & Proficiencies
Instrumentation
Design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and integration of various electronics, hardware interfacing devices, UHV chambers and components, etc.
Leadership
Ran various group meetings. Led small teams of researchers. Represented research lab in meetings with wider research community, including domestic and international collaborations.
Mentoring
Mentored and trained several student interns over the years.
Nanofabrication
Magnetron sputtering, electron beam evaporation, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, profilometry, scanning electron microscope, wire bonding.
Personal
Motivated and organized with high attention to detail. Creative with problem solving and excellent troubleshooting, critical thinking, communication, and teamworking skills.
Project Management
Planned and hosted events through student organizations. Secured funding and speakers.
Research
10+ years in experimental physics research lab. Cross-functional team collaboration on projects and experiments.
Software
LaTeX, LabVIEW, MATLAB, SolidWorks, Python, C++, Microsoft Office.
What i've worked on
Gallery
What i've worked on
Gallery
What i've EARNED
Achievements
University of California, Riverside
- Dissertation Year Fellowship (2021)
- Graduate Research Mentorship Fellowship (2017)
- BCOE Dean's Distinguished Fellowship (2015)
National Science Foundation
- Graduate Research Fellowship Program (2017-2020)
- 16% acceptance rate
- S-STEM Scholarship (2012-2013)
Pathways to Success Program
- Scholarship (2010-2012)
How I've been involved
Outreach
2014-2020
Volunteering
Involved in several volunteering opportunities intended to advocate and support underrepresented groups to pursue fields in STEM
UC Riverside
- Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Day
- MESA Regional Engineering Education Learning Conference
- Society of Women Engineers BCOE Day
Miscellaneous
- Walnut High School Girls in Future Technology (GIFT) Career Fair
- Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair
- Creekside Elementary School STEAM Day
- City of Riverside Family Fun Days
2016-2019
Association for women in science
UC Riverside Chapter
Served as President for 2 years and as Officer for 1 year
- Organized events advocating for the advancement of women in science and engineering
- Secured funding for events, keynote speakers, industry professional guests, venue, catering, etc.
- Biggest events had budgets of thousands of dollars
2017-2021
Graduate Student Association
Materials Science & Engineering (MSE)
Served as President for 2 years and as Officer for 2 years
- Organized events for MSE graduate students
- Served on Graduate Student Housing committee
- Created a new discord with information for new and current MSE graduate students
What i've Written
Publications
- M.X. Asaro, S. Herrera, M. Fuentes-Garcia, et. al. "Conditions for obtaining positronium Bose-Einstein condensation in a micron-sized cavity", The European Physical Journal D 76(1):107, Jun 2022.
- A.P. Mills Jr. and M. Fuentes-Garcia, "Positron pair interactions in a nearly free-electron metal", The European Physical Journal D 76(1):102, Jun 2022.
- A.C.L. Jones, J. Moxom, M. Fuentes-Garcia, et. al. "A resistive-anode based position-sensitive Rydberg atom detector", Review of Scientific Instruments 93(1):013305, Jan 2022.
- G.G. Cecchini, A.C.L. Jones, M. Fuentes-Garcia, et. al. "Detector for positronium temperature measurements by two-photon angular correlation", Review of Scientific Instruments 89(5):053106, May 2018.
- A.C.L. Jones, G.G. Cecchini, J. Moxom, K.A. Osorno, H.J. Rutbeck-Goldman, M. Fuentes-Garcia, et. al. "A study on the performance of an electrostatic focusing mirror for Rydberg positronium", The European Physical Journal D 72(1):1, Jan 2018.
- A.C.L. Jones, H.J. Rutbeck-Goldman, K.A. Osorno, G.G. Cecchini, M. Fuentes-Garcia, et. al. "Focusing of a Rydberg Positronium Beam with an Ellipsoidal Electrostatic Mirror", Physical Review Letters 119(5):053201, Aug 2017.
Click here to view my Google Scholar profile
How to find me
Contact Me
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