Dr. Mike Roberts earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona in 2012, but he began his engineering journey long before that. He didn't come from a family of engineers, but was always drawn to the field. From an early age, he found joy in dismantling household objects to understand their inner workings, and over time, he mastered the art of repairing and reassembling them.In his teenage years, Mike began experimenting with electronics, which further fueled his passion for engineering. He pursued his undergraduate studies at NYU-Poly, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a specialization in Mechatronics (a field that synergizes mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and robotics). He also completed a minor specialization in electronics.During his final years at NYU-Poly, Mike developed a fascination for fluid dynamics. Mike had the privilege of spending a summer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory which fueled his engineering ambition and he realized his academic journey should continue. This pursuit led him to a research assistant position at the University of Arizona, where he conducted both experimental and computational studies on fluid mechanics, specifically focusing on fluid instabilities and turbulent mixing. As an experimentalist, Mike honed his skills not only from a theoretical perspective, but also through hands-on practical experience. His work encompassed an array of tasks, from soldering electrical circuits and designing then machining parts to writing computer programs for analyzing high-speed camera images of his experiments. Regardless of the task at hand, Mike derived immense joy and pride from his work. Upon completing his PhD, Mike moved to Oregon, where he now thrives in the tech industry. Here, he also started a family with his wonderful wife. As a father to two young boys, he relishes the opportunity to share his love for engineering, inspiring a new generation to explore the captivating world of STEM.You can check out Mike's youtube channel of some of his various DIY projects over the years: [...]