{"511631":{"#nid":"511631","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Student Spotlight: Sachin Mehta: NASA and Beyond","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESachin Mehta is keeping busy. He has just started an out-of-this-world internship with NASA, is a graduate student at Georgia Tech earning his professional masters in applied systems engineering (PMASE 2017), and is founding his own company, DynamiCoupons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMehta has taken a somewhat circuitous route to get to ISyE: He earned his bachelor\u2019s degree at the University of Nevada in electrical engineering, with an emphasis on biomedical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe found his way to the PMASE program at Tech because, he explains, \u201cI was always fascinated by the large-scale complex systems that are all around us and wanted to learn more about what it takes to weave together so many moving parts. Not only do you have to engage in technical engineering design but you must also take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and consider all the other aspects like manufacturing, operations, human factors, business\u2014and the inherent uncertainty of it all.\u201d After doing research on his various options for graduate school, he says he \u201cquickly came to select Georgia Tech because it fit all my criteria\u201d -- world-renowned faculty, a fully online degree program, and the fact that the Stewart School for Industrial \u0026amp; Systems Engineering (ISyE) is consistently ranked No. 1 in its field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs for pursuing an internship with NASA, Mehta notes, \u201cI have a grounding in electronic and electrical systems but have always been curious about other arenas, so I\u2019m thrilled to be confronting not just one problem space at NASA, but several altogether.\u201d He adds, \u201cIt all goes back to the leaps and bounds [NASA\u2019s] been making for decades and answering the question of \u2018What else is out there?\u2019 \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cReally we\u2019re just a speck in the known universe; there\u2019s so much more out there that has yet to be explored, so being able to collaborate with the visionaries here at Langley to help in answering those questions is a humbling experience. Fortunately, I\u2019ve been afforded an opportunity to work directly in the two areas that pique my interest \u2013 system architecting and modeling and simulation (MODSIM).\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESystem architecting and MODSIM are fields of study experiencing rapid growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMehta says, \u201cThe essence of architecting is bringing order out of chaos: unifying components, their relationships, and the principles governing their design into an organized manner. It\u2019s both an art and a science because you can end up with countless alternative solutions to the same problem, and you\u2019re left with the mission of balancing all the moving parts in order to find a sweet spot.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMODSIM is another cornerstone of engineering because it can be applied across the board \u2013 to experimentation, testing, training, risk analysis, and even cost estimation. One good example of how useful it can be is when you consider the fact that it\u2019s not practical to fly into space or travel 300 days to Mars just to test a new design or piece of equipment, so simulation modeling is the next best thing.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMODSIM has applications beyond space exploration and space travel, involving large-scale projects in construction, defense, manufacturing, and medicine.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMehta will specifically be working in the Systems Engineering and Engineering Methods branch at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. While there, he will be \u201ctasked with conceiving, architecting, maturing, and integrating a model based systems engineering infrastructure that will facilitate both ongoing and future space exploration missions, like the journey to Mars.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen asked how IE will play a role in his internship, Mehta has a ready answer: \u201cWe\u2019ve already covered a lot of material in our first few classes like system architecting, robust design, human systems integration, engineering economics, and probabilistic methods. I really love how the focus of Tech\u2019s coursework is comprehensive in nature, covering end-to-end phases of the product lifecycle.\u201d His next couple of PMASE classes, which cover advanced system modeling and simulation, will have direct applicability to his NASA internship across multiple NASA projects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConversely, Mehta\u2019s internship will also expand his IE skills. He explains, \u201cIf I\u2019ve learned anything over the years, it\u2019s that there\u2019s always room to grow. The icing on the cake for me is that I get to collaborate with engineers who work day-in and day-out in my precise field of study \u2013 so I fully expect to flourish not only as a systems engineer, but also as a person.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs if Mehta doesn\u2019t have enough to keep him busy as a full-time PMASE student and NASA intern, he has also become an entrepreneur, starting his own web-based company called DynamiCoupons. Unlike such Internet coupon companies as Groupon and LivingSocial, Mehta says that DynamiCoupons \u2013 which will launch in mid to late 2016 \u2013 focuses on the mom-and-pop enterprises that make up the backbone of American business, putting \u201cmoney and marketing power\u201d back into their pockets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe explains that the site will work \u201cby offering merchants and businesses the DIY ability to create their own deals, offers, ads, coupons, and promotions and post them in real time \u2013 without breaking the bank. The searchable database is updated constantly using an exclusive interconnected network. This provides customers the opportunity to find the things they want most by keyword, type of product or service, city, and zip code \u2013 all free of charge. I even integrated geo-location capabilities via Google Maps to the site so anyone can search for nearby deals on their cell phone, tablet, or mobile device.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe site for DynamiCoupons has largely been developed, so the next step for Mehta is getting the word out about his enterprise. He is confident in the venture\u2019s potential success: \u201cI really believe that businesses and customers alike will be impressed when they start using our platform \u2013 and then the real growth potential begins.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis promises to be a challenging venture. In addition, the NASA internship lasts six months, during which time his full-time school work on his PMASE degree will continue. \u201cI know it won\u2019t be easy,\u201d acknowledges Mehta \u2013 but then he adds, \u201cWhen has anything worthwhile ever been easy?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Professional Master\u2019s in Applied Systems Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s College of Engineering, the division of Professional Education, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute collaboratively designed the Professional Master\u0027s in Applied Systems Engineering (PMASE) program for experienced professionals interested in building and expanding their systems engineering expertise. The systems engineering master\u0027s program offers a practical, hands-on approach to learning how to successfully integrate systems engineering processes to gain a competitive advantage in any industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis master\u0027s in systems engineering will help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully compete in the global market. Students gain real-world experience by collaborating in a team environment. They will learn how to think strategically to determine project plans and identify areas of risks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EISyE Professor Emeritus Leon McGinnis teaches in the PMASE program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information on the program, click \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pe.gatech.edu\/degrees\/pmase\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESachin Mehta has just started an out-of-this-world internship with NASA, is a graduate student at Georgia Tech earning his professional masters in applied systems engineering, and is founding his own company, DynamiCoupons.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Sachin Mehta has just started an internship with NASA and is keeping busy with other activities."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2016-03-10 11:22:18","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:01","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-03-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-03-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"511591":{"id":"511591","type":"image","title":"Sachin Mehta Outside the NASA Engineering Directorate","body":null,"created":"1458923712","gmt_created":"2016-03-25 16:35:12","changed":"1475895273","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:33","alt":"Sachin Mehta Outside the NASA Engineering Directorate","file":{"fid":"204989","name":"outside_engineering_directorate.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/outside_engineering_directorate_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/outside_engineering_directorate_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":412681,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/outside_engineering_directorate_0.jpg?itok=G5iekZEu"}},"511611":{"id":"511611","type":"image","title":"Sachin Mehta using the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Simulator","body":null,"created":"1458923712","gmt_created":"2016-03-25 16:35:12","changed":"1475895273","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:33","alt":"Sachin Mehta using the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Simulator","file":{"fid":"204991","name":"using_oculus_rift_virtual_reality_simulator_in_the_engineering_design_studio.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/using_oculus_rift_virtual_reality_simulator_in_the_engineering_design_studio_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/using_oculus_rift_virtual_reality_simulator_in_the_engineering_design_studio_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241847,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/using_oculus_rift_virtual_reality_simulator_in_the_engineering_design_studio_0.jpg?itok=EoP8DBLP"}},"511601":{"id":"511601","type":"image","title":"Sachin Mehta","body":null,"created":"1458923712","gmt_created":"2016-03-25 16:35:12","changed":"1475895273","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:33","alt":"Sachin Mehta","file":{"fid":"204990","name":"sachin-mehta-002.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/sachin-mehta-002_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/sachin-mehta-002_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":50791,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/sachin-mehta-002_0.jpg?itok=ptpK9C6X"}}},"media_ids":["511591","511611","511601"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"3472","name":"entrepreneurship"},{"id":"4044","name":"internship"},{"id":"426","name":"isye"},{"id":"408","name":"NASA"},{"id":"170012","name":"professional master\u0027s in applied systems engineering"},{"id":"170011","name":"Sachin Mehta"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@isye.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWriter\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStewart School of Industrial \u0026amp; Systems Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E404.385.4745\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["shelley.wunder-smith@isye.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}