Education:
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Ph.D., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 4.0/4.0 GPA
Completed June 2015
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
M.S., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 4.0/4.0 GPA
Completed June 2012
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Mechanical Engineering S.B. with Mathematics Minor, 4.5/5.0 GPA
Completed June 2011
Past Roles:
UCLA Active Materials Laboratory (Prof. Gregory Carman): Ph.D. Candidate
Los Angeles, CA, Sept 2012 – Current
- Design/fabrication of novel nanoscale magnetic devices for next-generation computer logic and memory.
- Characterized next-generation magnetic materials for thermal energy harvesting devices.
- Collaborated magnetics research with research centers at UC Berkeley, MIT, Stanford, NIST, et al.
- Individually mentored 7 undergraduates in term-long nanoscale magnetism research projects.
- Delivered technical presentations at international academic conferences (Taiwan, U.S., Brazil, Mexico).
- Taught multiple mathematics and engineering computing courses (Multivariable Calculus, MATLAB).
UCLA Micro and Nano Manufacturing Group (Prof. Chang-Jin Kim): Graduate Researcher
Los Angeles, CA, July 2011 – Sept 2012
- Performed extensive literature review of superhydrophobic surfaces for liquid slip and drag reduction applications.
- Earned clearance and equipment qualification in UCLA’s Nanoelectronics Research Facility (NanoLab).
- Conducted self-directed study of the influence of liquid flows’ gas concentration on gas layer integrity of unassisted passive superhydrophobic slip surfaces.
MIT Varanasi Group: Undergraduate Researcher
Cambridge, MA, June 2010 – May 2011
- Designed and fabricated rig for studying condensation on fabricated surfaces.
- Fabricated apparatus for synthesizing anodized aluminum oxide surfaces.
- Investigated heat transfer properties of synthesized condensation candidate surfaces.
- Extensive documentation of work in senior thesis.
National Cheng Kung University: Research Intern
Tainan City, Taiwan, June 2009 – August 2009
- Conducted research in biomimetics simulating 5 distinct functional biological surfaces.
- Presented work in annual Taiwan Tech Trek Conference for Engineering in Taipei.
MIT Micro Power and Nanoengineering Group: Undergraduate Researcher
Tainan City, Taiwan, June 2009 – August 2009
- Conducted comparative analyses of microscale steam engine components.
- Researched chemically- and mechanically-compatible elements of final apparatus design.
LumArray Inc.: Laboratory and Programming Intern
Cambridge, MA, June 2008 – August 2008
- Prepared silicon wafer samples in a clean-room environment.
- Exposed patterns on photoresist-treated silicon wafers using a laser-Lloyds mirror apparatus.
- Wrote user and software documentation for the ZPAL nano-/microscale lithography system.
Publications:
- Sun, Wei-Yang, Chen, Cai, and Carman, Gregory P. “Strain-mediated magnetoelectric control of spontaneous exchange bias in magnetic Ni/NiO ultrathin films” In process.
- Salehi-Fashami, M., Al-Rashid, Mamun, Sun, Wei-Yang, Nordeen, Paul, Bandyopadhyay, Supriyo, Carman, Gregory P., and Atulasimha, Jayasimha. “Ultra low power binary information propagation in circular magnetic nanodot arrays using strain induced anisotropy.” In process.
- Liang, Cheng-Yen, Scott M. Keller, Abdon E. Sepulveda, Wei-Yang Sun, Jizhai Cui, Christopher S. Lynch, and Gregory P. Carman. “Electrical control of a single magnetoelastic domain structure on a clamped piezoelectric thin film—analysis.” Journal of Applied Physics 116, no. 12 (2014): 123909.
- Liang, Cheng-Yen, Scott M. Keller, Abdon E. Sepulveda, Alexandre Bur, Wei-Yang Sun, Kyle Wetzlar, and Gregory P. Carman. “Modeling of magnetoelastic nanostructures with a fully coupled mechanical-micromagnetic model.” Nanotechnology 25, no. 43 (2014): 435701.
- Sun, Wei-Yang, and Kim, Chang-Jin. “The role of dissolved gas in longevity of Cassie states for immersed superhydrophobic surfaces.” Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 2013 IEEE 26th International Conference on. IEEE, 2013.
Technical Qualifications
Programming Languages:
Python, Objective-C, Swift, C, C++, MATLAB, Mathematica, LaTEX, JavaScript, PHP, HTML/CSS
Technical Software:
COMSOL, SolidWorks, LabVIEW, OMAX Suite, Instron Bluehill, Mathcad
Graduate Coursework:
Quantum Mechanics, Solid State Physics, Linear/Nonlinear Elasticity, Elastodynamics, Design & Manufacturing, Product Design & Development, Management in Engineering,
Measurement & Instrumentation, Thermal-Fluids Engineering, Mechanics & Materials
Teaching Experience
UCLA Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS): Facilitator
Los Angeles, CA, April 2014 – May 2015
- Taught calculus and differential equations concepts 2 times a week to undergraduates in an official registered classroom.
- Developed and distributed practice worksheets according to UCLA Mathematics mandated curriculum.
- Directed discussions, demonstrated concepts, and organized study reviews.
UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science: Teaching Associate
Los Angeles, CA, Spring 2012 – May 2015
- Taught an intensive MATLAB introductory workshop each quarter (~65 students each) for 3 years.
- Developed and taught curriculum for MATLAB, specifically in signal and image processing.
- Oversaw, distributed graded tasks for satisfactory completion certificate.
UCLA Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity: Teaching Associate
Los Angeles, CA, September 2013 – September 2014
- Mentored 7 undergraduates in individually-guided magnetics research projects in the UCLA Active Materials Laboratory.
- Developed and taught curriculum for MATLAB course in Bridge Review for Enhancing Engineering Students (BREES) program.
- Oversaw, distributed, and graded examinations, reports, presentations, and other assignments.
UCLA Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Teaching Assistant
Los Angeles, CA, September 2011 – September 2013
- Guided 12 teams of 5-6 undergraduate junior/senior students in course-long laboratory manufacturing projects.
- Developed manufacturing laboratory curriculum and formalized all grading guidelines and rubrics.
- Oversaw, distributed, and graded examinations, reports, presentations, and other assignments.
MIT Office for Minority Education: Seminar XL Facilitator
Cambridge, MA, September 2009 – May 2011
- Taught calculus and differential equations concepts 2 times a week to undergraduates in a classroom setting.
- Directed discussions, demonstrated concepts, and organized study reviews.
MIT Office for Minority Education: Undergraduate Tutor
Cambridge, MA, September 2009 – May 2011
- Assisted undergraduates with concepts in MIT’s General Institute Requirements (GIRs).
- Held both open and private tutoring sessions 2 or more times per week.
MIT Educational Studies Program: Splash! Instructor
Cambridge, MA, September 2008 – December 2010
- K-12 instruction program with over 2200 K-12 students annually
- Taught special topics to middle and high school students in a classroom setting (+120 students in one week)
Awards & Honors
MIT Paul E. Gray Endowment Grant, June 2010 – Dec 2010
- Academic grant funding MIT undergraduate mechanical engineering research.
Tau Beta Pi Member, Sept 2012 – Present
Inductee, MIT LeaderShape 2010
January 2010
- One of only ~60 chosen for this annual week-long intensive leadership development program.
Projects
Electric Guitar
Spring 2011
- Designed and constructed Fender Stratocaster HSS electric guitar from raw materials, using the MIT Hobby Shop and MIT Edgerton student machine shop.
Next House Party Lighting System
Fall 2010
- Assisted Next House dormitory’s makers club (Next Make) in building a programmable digital music-synchronizing LED lighting system, staple of subsequent dormitory social events.
Senior Design Project (2.009)
Fall 2010
- Worked in a diverse team of 12 students designing/fabricating a fully functional alpha prototype of a device for creating tournées (French 7-sided rounded vegetable cut).
Design and Manufacturing (2.007)
Fall 2008
- Independently designed and fabricated a competing radio-controlled robot in the MIT Pappalardo Laboratory, for entry into the annual 2.007 robot competition.
Leadership
President/Founder, UCLA Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
April 2013 – June 2014
- Achieved active membership (over 100 students, undergraduate and graduate) in 1st 5 months.
- Organized over 15 workshops (resume, interview, etc.) and career events (professional panels, etc.)
- Constantly communicated with SASE National Board and the UCLA Center for Student Programming.
President, MIT Association of Taiwanese Students
September 2008 – December 2010
- Organized campus-wide events and represented the Association in the greater Boston area.
- Directed 60+ volunteers in widely-attended Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association
(ITASA) National Conference at MIT.
Treasurer, Next House (MIT Undergraduate Dormitory)
February 2008 – February 2009
- Drafted, distributed, and oversaw use of Next House’s budget ($50,000+ annually).
- Coordinated dormitory allocation use and enforced expenditure regulations.
Other Interests
Distance running, music (piano, saxophone, guitar, voice), juggling and diabolo, science fiction writing,
recreational programming (Linux, Python, language learning), travel