Allow us to introduce Adin Stoller, a junior at the University of Dayton studying Mechanical Engineering with a Robotics Systems Minor. In selecting his major Adin drew on his interest in automation, Legos, and robotics competitions. He likes following an idea from the drawing board all the way to the end result and has a desire to learn the whole process. Adin is a local from Springboro, OH. He had many reasons for selecting UD, including the proximity to home, smaller class sizes, which leads to more personal time with the professors, and the close-knit community that is cultivated at UD. 

About 2 years ago Adin was scanning through Handshake, looking for a campus job, and spotted an additive manufacturing job. He landed the position working in structural materials with our additive manufacturing technology group as a part-time student intern but works full-time with us in the summers. 

Adin expressed how much he has enjoyed the hands-on projects he’s been a part of, such as the creation of 3D printed wind tunnel models in collaboration with AFRL. He has also been able to work with a laser powder bed to help build a new printer, contributing to the wiring system, control board development, and overall fabrication. Adin has also had the opportunity to work in our metal lab learning how to design and assemble a finished product in a professional way. He mentioned how much he enjoys optimizing test pieces and working in the laser lab. In addition to these experiential learning opportunities, Adin has gained skill in 4 different types of 3D printing during his 2 years with UDRI. 

When talking about everything he’s learned on the job, Adin highlighted the caliber of people he’s worked with. Mentioning Bryce Laycock, Ally Cox, and Nate Maleski as some of his biggest influences. Adin emphasized that he’s learned so much from each one of them in different categories, and together they’ve helped him go from just wanting to be an engineer to becoming one. 

In the future, Adin hopes to stay in the research field, pushing boundaries on what is possible and doing what hasn’t been done before.  He’s also considering returning to grad school someday to earn an MBA with the goal of starting his own business, following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of his father and grandfather.  We wish Adin all the best as he gears up to begin his senior year in the Fall of 2025!