Quinlan Fahy

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I assist in the process of transferring the raw footage from the Wide Field Camera Array around the ROV into a usable 3d model that hopes to help the ROV move autonomously in the water. I will be using cutting edge software and collaborating directly with the ROV team to help advance the capabilities of the vehicle.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

My initial interests sparked in class when I was trying to make a part for our can crusher project. The can crusher we were making needed a crushing arm, and the arm had to have a strong crushing head with a small and compact frame. So I decided to design a model and 3d print a working part. The part worked beautifully and it showed me the beauty of 3d printing parts.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My father is a big inspiration to me, he has participated in multiple other expeditions on the nautilus and has shared multiple story's about his experiences. Hearing about his travels and the types of things he was able to do, sparked my interests in not only engineering but exploring in new environments and

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating thing I did In school recently was setup our new resin 3d printer. My teachers tasked me with the job after my internship over the summer involved some resin printing. It was a cool experience, it was intriguing to learn all the limits of this form of manufacturing and since I set it up I was allowed to print what ever I wanted on the machine.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I applied for the bunk spot through my father and his connection with the Nautilus and past expeditions. I also lived close to the URI bay campus, so seeing all the exploration vessels introduced me to ocean exploration and further.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

I took a internship at a 3d printing shop during the summer before my senior year. In that position I learned to build and design different parts for customers, and maintenance and run $500,000 3d printers.

What are your hobbies?

I love sailing, basketball and volleyball. Roll Skips!

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If someone was trying to get into any facet of engineering, much less additive manufacturing, I would recommend that they get an internship. It does not matter during what progression of your education it occurs in, but I whole heartedly encourage it. It is work based learning that gives you a step up, not only against other students, but in the classroom as well. It gives you a better understanding of key concepts that other students are learning for the first time, and it lets you see what real work looks like in that field.