LSAMP Scholars: 2020 

Student Spotlight

Robert Casal

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024

What sparked your interest in your field of study? I had always enjoyed fixing things, learning how they worked and of course legos. I also really liked drawing and sketching. Then, in high school I was able to take an elective where we learned CAD and were able to design parts and such. I learned how to use machine tools like mills and lathes. This, in addition to really enjoying my more advanced math classes and physics classes made me really interested in engineering. It was very nice to be able to combine so many of my academic interests into what my major focuses on.

How has being a part of the LSAMP program impacted your undergraduate experience? :I feel it had a positive impact on my undergraduate experience. Mainly during my junior and senior year, as the first two years were a bit odd from Covid-19, I was able to meet a bunch of really great people. Especially my mentee who I hope has a great experience here as well. LSAMP has also been a great place where I can talk to people about all sorts of activities happening at stony brook and with other clubs.

How has LSAMP supported your academic and professional goals? LSAMP has helped primarily by introducing me to a lot of great resources and people. My first two years at college were definitely a bit strange due to Covid-19. However, LSAMP helped me a lot with my resume and in the internship application process. In the summer following my junior year I was able to get an internship. Right now, I am prepping to move onto my masters next year, and LSAMP has been a great help with that, answering questions and connecting me with resources for this.

Describe a memorable experience or opportunity you've had through LSAMP? I will say, one memorable experience is getting lost on the health science side of campus for my first meeting with the LSAMP coordinator. It was a very funny first meeting with it being like a mini scavenger hunt.

Have you participated in any research projects or internships? I plan on going into the 5th-year masters program for mechanical engineering. I also plan on doing the masters with thesis option and continuing my previous research. After that I intend on working in industry. I am interested in a few different fields, but I would love to work in robotics or prosthetic design. 

How do you plan to achieve these career goals, and how has LSAMP prepared you for this journey? I feel that LSAMP has helped a great deal regarding resume, applications and where to look for career opportunities. For my masters I will be focusing on robotics and mechanism design, which is directly related to my intended career.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen who are interested in studying a STEM fields at Stony Brook University?

1) Talk to people in and outside your major. I have a bunch of friends in mechanical engineering, and taking similar classes and having a good group to study with and ask questions is very helpful. Even people outside your major can give great advice regarding classes to take and professors they liked. Clubs are great for that.
2)Don't be afraid to ask your professor and TAs questions. Even if you feel it is a silly question, it's good to ask before the test. And if you are interested in their research, almost every professor would be willing to tell you about it.
3) It's not always going to be easy, there are those late nights and hard assignments you will get. But it gets better because you do too. Don't let one assignment or class discourage you. 
4) Join clubs. They are super helpful for meeting new people and getting your mind off of a the hard classes every so often.

Besides your academic and research interests, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time? I am a part of swim club, and the president of the freewheel bicycle collective. Freewheel is a bike fixing a riding club and we have a full shop on campus. I race triathlons, and freewheel is a great resource to start at. I also enjoy photography and drawing in my free time.