About the Authors
Elissa Ledoux, Lecturer, Middle Tennessee State University
Despite beginning as a preschool dropout, Elissa found her passion for academics and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2016 and 2024, focusing on lower and upper limb rehabilitation robotics research, respectively. After working in industrial robotics 2017-2018, she joined MTSU in 2018 as a full time lecturer for Mechatronics Engineering. Elissa teaches dynamics, kinematics, robotics, FE exam prep, and senior design capstone, and is passionate about making engineering education more effective and efficient for students, as well as connecting theory to application. She uses this textbook for the ENGR 4580 and 4590 senior design capstone courses for Mechatronics Engineering.
Mohammad Moin Uddin, Professor and Program Director for TTU-ETSU Joint Engineering Program, East Tennessee State University
Dr. Mohammad Moin Uddin is a Professor of Engineering in the Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Surveying at East Tennessee State University. His teaching expertise spans data analytics, construction planning, scheduling, project management, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). He co-authored an Open Educational Resource (OER) titled Architectural CAD. Dr. Uddin has received grants from prestigious organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Board of Regents, DENSO, and ASEE, among others. He has also served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Engineering Technology and was honored with the ASCE (TN Section) Peter G. Hoadley Outstanding Engineering Educator Award in 2023.
Nicholas Matta, Instructor, East Tennessee State University
Nicholas Matta, an honorably discharged Air Force Veteran (2017), completed both his B.S. and M.S. degrees at East Tennessee State University within four years. During his Master’s program, he honed his teaching skills as a teaching assistant. Currently he serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses in Computer Aided Drafting, Safety Management, Technical Writing, Machine Tool Technology, Manufacturing Processes and Specifications, and Technical Practicum. He intends to further his education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering, with the aspiration of advancing his career in academia and contributing to innovative research in his field.
Matthew Sheppard, Adjunct Instructor, East Tennessee State University
Matthew Sheppard is the Engineering Capstone instructor at East Tennessee University. His capstone students partner with local industries to complete Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering projects. Matthew’s background is in manufacturing and engineering project management. He is a current PhD student in Engineering Education at Clemson University with a research focus on understanding the unique assets Appalachian students bring into Engineering classrooms at major universities.
