Toni LaBarbara

Machine Learning Researcher, Philadelphia, PA                                                                                            8/2023 – present
National Science Foundation-REU Project, Nanoengineered Heat Transfer and Flow Lab        

o    Designed Multilayer Perceptron, Radial Basis Function Network, and Convolutional Neural Network to optimize 5+ parameters of carbon capture technologies.
o    Preprocessed 100+ data points with nonlinear characteristics from 10+ scientific journals for model training
o    Conducted hyperparameter tuning for the three models and compared performance using Mean Squared Error and Root Mean Squared Error criteria, resulting in the CNN outperforming the MLP and RBF by 20% and 13%.
o    Models developed using Pytorch, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow.
 

 

Machine Learning and Wind Turbine Engineering Intern, Trujillo, Peru                                             8/2023 – 7/2024
WindAid Institute

o    Developed linear and logistic regression models using Scikit-learn to predict maintenance dates and specific repair needs for 2 wind turbines in rural communities in San Pedro, Peru, resulting in 91% model accuracy.
o    Conducted feature engineering to identify key predictors of maintenance needs, such as wind speed, turbine vibration, power output, and weather conditions.
o    Manually fabricated and installed two 200-Watt turbines using local materials (welding, circuitry, shop tools).
o    Upgraded lead acid battery system to deep cycle batteries with 37.5% more discharge potential and a 50% longer life span, increasing usable capacity by 82%. 
o    Technical translation and interpretation of manuals and meetings between English and Spanish.
 

 

Solar Design Engineer, Solar District Cup Competition                                                                                9/2023 – 4/2024 
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

o    Time series analysis on energy/power demand data using ARIMA and SARIMA in python and forecasted potential for 12.6 MWdc solar installation to achieve net-zero emissions for the property by 2040. 
o    Performed financial feasibility analysis using Excel to estimate $6 million savings over 25 years with predictable panel leasing rates, relative to fluctuating utility rates.
o    Designed 14 PV systems using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Aurora 3D software for roof-mounted panels, solar carpark structures, and substation connections.
 

 

Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Researcher                                                                            1/2022 – 8/2023
Environmental Interfacial Chemistry Group
o    Coded data visualization of dynamic time series for 14 experiments using Numpy.
o    Led senior capstone project as sophomore student, and mentored freshman researcher.
o    Innovated filtration system using biochar to sustainably remove up to 80% PFAS from drinking water.
o    Drafted/edited research proposals and manuscripts, group presentations.

o    Received VURF and MATCH research grants through Villanova University for undergraduate research.

​