How an Air Force Veteran Landed at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering

The Power of Collaboration

Everything began to take shape for Vinnie in Analytical Mechanics, a course taught by Professor Gabe Perez-Giz. “The problems were complex, difficult, and forced us to work together in small teams,” Vinnie explains. “It inspired me to be more willing to rely on my classmates.”

Vinnie continued to work with Professor Perez-Giz, as well as Professor Alan Kaptanoglu, as he developed his senior project. Using the NYU Greene Supercomputer, a high-performance computing cluster, Vinnie researched stellarator coil optimization. Professor Kaptanoglu advised on theory and application, while Professor Perez-Giz helped improve Vinnie’s code.

For Vinnie, research is just the beginning. He plans to pursue a PhD and ultimately share what he learns with the public by launching a start-up. “The future of this field is very bright,” he says. “It even has bipartisan support.”

Fast Cars? Check! Rugged Roads? Check! Teamwork? Absolutely!

As team principal and engineering team lead for NYU Motorsports, a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) at NYU Tandon, Vinnie brought together about 100 student researchers to build cutting-edge, experimental vehicles that race in international competitions.

“It’s a great opportunity to take something theoretical and make it real,” he says. The team includes students from across NYU, including the Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts, and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. “Whether it’s engineering or social media, everyone has something important to contribute,” he asserts. NYU Motorsports is one of the many VIPs at NYU. Recent student teams have tackled projects in global public health, urban farming, and wearable art.

Step Outside Your Field

“I loved being a math and science student,” Vinnie remarks, “But NYU empowers you to become more well-rounded.” With his interests in music and writing, Vinnie has taken full advantage of being at NYU. Highlights include:

• Attending craft talks from local authors like Ocean Vuong offered by the NYU Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House
• Exploring music production with Grammy-award winning Professor Juan Cristóbal Losada (Mr. Sonic) through coursework at NYU Steinhardt

Nontraditional Student? Vinnie Has Tips for You!

As a Service to School Ambassador, Vinnie has mentored many fellow nontraditional students as they navigate the college admissions process. “We bring a level of experience and maturity that other students may not have,” he says.

His advice is to search for colleges that are aligned with your values and will empower you to learn more about what you’re interested in. “Allow yourself the grace to be afraid to apply, but once you reflect on your experiences, you’ll realize you have a lot to offer,” he concludes.