Raúl E. Torres Muñiz Professional Engineer Licensed in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Current Address: P.O. Box 9141 Mayagüez, PR 00681-9141 Phone: (787)832-4040 Ext.2191 e-mail: rtorres@ece.uprm.edu

BIOGRAPHY

Raúl E. Torres Muņiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 25, 1969. He became a member of the National Honor Society at University Gardens High School, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. In his early education, he won several national and international prizes in math and science. He obtained his BSEE from the Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus (UPRM) on December of 1991. He went to graduate school at the University of Virginia, where he obtained my MSEE and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1994 and 1998 respectively. His research interests include automatic control, mobile robots, vision systems, applied image processing, sensor fusion, biological inspired systems, neural networks, and manufacturing processes. Raúl E. Torres is a member of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, and ex-alumni of the GEM Consortium. .

EDUCATION

May 1998

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Dissertation Topic: Biologically Inspired Architecture for Mobile Robot Navigation

May 1994

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Major: Neural Networks applied to Robotics, Minors: Manufacturing Systems, and Image Processing
Grade Point Average: 3.72/4.0
Master Thesis Title: Mobile Robot Navigation with Vision-Based Neural Networks

December 1991

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering: University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR
Major: Automatic Controls, Minor: Economics. GPA: 3.63/4.0, Major GPA: 3.78/4.0

July 1998 to Present

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus,
P.O. Box 9042, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681-9042.
Department of Electrical Engineering: Assistant Professor

Summer 1996

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Department of Physics: Production of electronic control boards to be used in nuclear reactor experiments.
Supervisor: Bill Stephens

Summers of 1993 and 1992

Honeywell Inc., 1985 Douglas Dr. N., Golden Valley, MN 55422-3992.
Home and Building Control Division: New Product Development--design aid for damper actuators: Designing tests for new prototypes to ensure they meet their specifications.
Supervisor: Larry Rodgers

January 1992 - April 1992

Adianez High School, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00969
Duties: Teaching math courses: Pre-algebra, algebra II, and geometry; and coaching their College Basketball Team.

Summer 1991

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), P.O. Box 790, Mayagüez , Puerto Rico 00681.
Mayagüez Regional Office: Software development and computerize records. Introducing computer technology to personnel.
Supervisor: Gaspar Rodríguez

October 1990 - May 1991

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus,
P.O. Box 9042, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681-9042.
Department of Electrical Engineering: Setting up experiments and searching for equipment for a new Control Laboratory.
Supervisor: Gerson Beauchamp

Summer 1990

Puerto Rico Electrical Power Authority
G.P.O. Box 4267 San Juan, PR 00936-4267
Electric System Training Center: Microprocessor application design for training courses.
Supervisor: Carlos Taulet

Summers of 1984 and 1985

San Pedro Mártir Summer Camp, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00969
Duties: Assistance Leader of the 8 years old group.

• Bilingual
• Group Organizing
• Public Speaking
• Fast Learning
• Leadership
• Computers
  • Programming Languages (Basic, C++, Assembly)
  • Softwares: Excel, XCELL+, CC, Matlab, and many others.
  • Operating Systems (User and Programmer): DOS, UNIX, and WINDOWS.
• Technical
  • Implementing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Applications.
  • Production of Electronic Boards.
  • Design of Manufacturing Systems.

• Torres, R.E., "Biologically based neural network fo mobile robot navigation", Mobile Robots XIII, SPIE Proceedings, November 1998."

• Iñigo,R.M. and Torres, R.E., "Mobile robot navigation with vision-based neural networks", Mobile Robots IX, SPIE Proceedings Vol.2352, November 1994."

• College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Seminar.
  Sponsor: JR Electronics & Pneumatics
  Ave. Campo Rico #829, Country Club, Rio Piedras, P.R. 00924
  Lecturer: Carlos Rivera
  
  
• Green Lights and Energy Star Buildings Workshop.
  Sponsor: United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Lecturer: Alden Hathaway
  
  
• Microcontroller 68HC12 Family
  Sponsor: Motorola Lecturer: Norbel Navarro
  
  

• GEM Fellow of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (1992-1993).
• Dean's List (1989-1991)
• First Prize in the Calculus Bowl, celebrated in Cayey Campus, University of Puerto Rico (1988).
• Third Prize in the Second Iberoamerican Mathematics Bowl celebrated in Uruguay (1987).
• Honorable Mention in National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program Competition, College Board (1987).
• First Prize in the Science Fair of the District of San Juan, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (1986).
• National Honor Society, Hortus Chapter (1986).

• CPR "C" trained
• Nutrition and weight training
• Biking
• Teaching
• Coaching basketball
• Playing guitar
• Singer and choral director
• Council of Family Housing Association
• Magic performer
• Minor auto mechanics
• Hand craftsmanship.