Yohannes Mergia
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Graduate student in Electrical Engineering with a strong foundation in physics and hands-on research experience in plasma diagnostics, antenna design, and space propulsion systems. Proven ability to apply analytical and computational tools such as COMSOL, SIMSOPT, and MATLAB in experimental and simulation-based projects. Passionate about advancing innovative propulsion technologies and contributing to interdisciplinary research teams in high-impact aerospace and energy applications.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Intern
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)
06.2024 - 09.2024
- Proposed a novel space propulsion concept using plasmoids (confined plasma structures).
- Investigated magnetic helicity injection to generate thrust in annular channels.
- Designed thrusters with static E/M fields and permanent magnets.
- Simulated designs using SIMSOPT (Python-based magnet optimization tool).
- Modeled plasma and EM interactions in COMSOL Multiphysics for performance analysis.
Propulsion Engineer
Bruin Spacecraft Group, UCLA
Los Angeles, USA
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Working on ion thruster integration for a CubeSat.
- Focus on high-voltage power conversion and flow system design.
- Collaborating across disciplines to support spacecraft propulsion development.
Research Assistant
Basic Plasma Science Facility, UCLA
Los Angeles, USA
02.2023 - 06.2024
- Designed and implemented a novel method for measuring complex impedance in electric dipole antennas.
- Enabled precise radiation efficiency evaluations by comparing coupled power with plasma wave interactions.
- Built and calibrated electric dipole antennas; compared measurements with simulations and theory.
- Used antenna systems to excite plasma waves from RF-generated plasma.
Education
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA06.2026
Bachelor of Science - Double major in Electrical Engineering & Physics
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA06.2024
Skills
- Altium Designer
- COMSOL
- SIMSOPT
- MATLAB
- ROOT
- Python
- C
- Plasma diagnostics
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Soldering
- Circuit design and analysis
- Analog/digital signal processing
- Electromagnetics
- Automotive repair
- Data analysis
- Probability & statistics
- Solid-state device design
Timeline
Research Intern
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)
06.2024 - 09.2024
Propulsion Engineer
Bruin Spacecraft Group, UCLA
09.2023 - 06.2024
Research Assistant
Basic Plasma Science Facility, UCLA
02.2023 - 06.2024
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Bachelor of Science - Double major in Electrical Engineering & Physics
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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