Maria Celeste Castillo

Relevant Skills & Competencies

• Computer Skills: Solidworks, NX, Autodesk Fusion, Data Analysis and Thermal Simulation in Python (matplotlib, pandas, numpy, scipy, sklearn), Microsoft Office

• Highly Experienced with 3D Printing Technology: SLA, Powder-Bed Jetting, DIW, FDM

• Product Design & Fabrication: GD&T (basics), Design for Manufacturing, Human-Centered Design, Mill, Lathe, Drill Press, Abrasives

• Sustainability: Life-Cycle Analysis, Leveraging, Three Pillars, Sustainable Manufacturing

• Coaching & Leadership: Active Listening, Influencing, Cross-Cultural Communication, Project Management, Managing Stakeholders, Collaboration, Team Problem-Solving

• Languages: English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), Japanese (intermediate), Italian (intermediate)
  

Education

MASTER OF ENGINEERING, CONCENTRATION: PRODUCT DESIGN MAY 2022, GPA 3.9
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning for Modeling Energy Conversion Processes, Heat Transfer with Phase Change, Human-Centered Design, Teaming and Project Management, R&D Technology Management and Ethics
Project: Contrast Therapy Device

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: WITH HONORS DECEMBER 2014, GPA 3.6
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
Projects: Shigley Hauler (First Place Design Award), YOLO Handcycle

Experience

Co-Founder & CEO | Thermpack | September 2022 – March 2023

• Recruited, mentored, and lead six teammates

• Outlined product requirements and created a project timeline

• Spearheaded customer discovery process, performed customer interviews, competitive analysis, and outlined product strategy

• Worked as a team to analyze value opportunity, determine hardware specifications, and model, prototype and test systems

• Selected Peltier device by creating thermal models of the human body in Python, applying the latest research in thermoelectric cooling, and speaking with manufacturers

• Increased overall knowledge of human thermoregulation, thermal treatments, and athlete recovery

• Participated in entrepreneurial programs at UC Berkeley, such as NSF I-CORPS training, StEP, and Start-up Disco

3D Printing Researcher | Structural Electronics Lab, UC Merced, CA | April 2019 - April 2021

• Solved the challenge of building an inexpensive syringe-pump driven multi-material printer by utilizing a one nozzle system with non-newtonian fluids

• Wrote Python script to modify printer G-Code and created multi-material CAD drawings in Solidworks

• Investigated printer settings to achieve 3D bioprints with novel materials

• Oversaw and mentored undergraduates in the laboratory

Assistant Language Teacher | JET Program, Koriyama, Japan | April 2016 - April 2018

• Taught English as a team with Japanese teachers and attended school activities

Process Development Engineer | 3M Company, St. Paul, MN | April 2015 - October 2015

• Created a novel mechanism for the manufacturing of cut-off wheels leading to a patent, and performed quality testing on experimental parts

• Investigated additive manufacturing methods for the manufacturing of bonded abrasives leading to a patent

• Participated in and contributed to the 3M Sustainability Group

• Converted from intern to full-time employee

Research Assistant | Manufacturing and Sustainable Technologies Lab, UC Davis, CA | April 2013 - December 2014

• Co-authored a paper analyzing the sustainability of hand-held grinding processes that surveyed sustainable design in angle grinders

• Assessed worker health impacts in manual grinding processes and surveyed sustainable design features advertised in power tools

• Created videos for online learning of machine shop facilities at UC Davis

• Assisted in editing Dr. Barbara Linke’s thesis book, Life Cycle and Sustainability of Abrasive Tools

Patents

Filed by 3M OIPC Publication Number US 2020/0016725 2015 ‘Bonded Abrasive Articles Including Oriented Abrasive Particles, and Methods of Making Same.’

Filed by 3M OIPC International Publication Number WO 2018/118695 2015 ‘Abrasive Article and Method of Making the Same.’

Publications

Odum, A; Castillo, M.; Das, J; Linke, B. (2014) ’Sustainability Analysis of Grinding with Power Tools’. Procedia CIRP. Vol. 14, pp. 570-574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2014.03.011

Certifications and Online Courses

Master Statistics with Python | Codecademy | In progress

Startup School | Y-Combinator | March 2023

Basics of Plastic Part Design | Udemy | June 2023

Manufacturing Process Selection and Design for Manufacturing | Udemy | In Progress

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing: Basics | Udemy | October 2022

Advanced Product Management: Vision, Strategy, and Metrics | Udemy | October 2022

Learn SQL | Codecademy | October 2022

SQL Essential Training | LinkedIn Learning | July 2022

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach | Institute for Integrative Nutrition | August 2021

LesMills Core Group Fitness Instructor | December 2020

Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 | The Japan Foundation | August 2018

Awards

• Eaton-Hachigian Fellowship awarded to two students pursuing a Master of Engineering at UC Berkeley

• Fung Excellence Scholarship is given to a subset of MEng candidates with noteworthy accomplishments

• Joseph Bonnheim Memorial Scholarship for Academic accomplishments and potential for future achievements

• Harold Memorial Grant Prize for demonstrating excellence in upper-division coursework

• Miguel Velez Scholarship for character, ability, and Latin American Descent