Kushagra Dashora - GCSP Portfolio

About me

I am a Senior pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in Robotics Engineering

As a participant in the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges Scholars Program, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of how engineering can address humanity's most pressing challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

My journey through the GCSP has been centered on the theme of "Joy of Living" — a commitment to developing technologies that enhance quality of life and restore independence to individuals facing physical challenges.

Throughout my college career, I have been actively engaged in numerous student organizations and have proudly served in more than 5 leadership positions, demonstrating my commitment to service and community building.

About the Grand Challenges Scholars Program

The GCSP prepares the next generation of engineers to address humanity's most pressing challenges through five key competencies:

Talent

Research or Creative Project Experience

Multidisciplinary

Interdisciplinary Coursework

Entrepreneurship

Business Viability Skills

Multicultural

Global Perspective

Social Consciousness

Service Learning

Talent Competency

Research & Creative Projects

Capstone Project

Wisk Aero Partnership

Automated Battery Sorting System

As part of my capstone project, I am collaborating with Wisk Aero, a pioneering company in autonomous electric aviation. Our team is developing an innovative Automated Battery Sorting System designed specifically for their factory assembly line to handle battery pouches for their Generation 6 electric VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft.

Team Collaboration

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers to design, prototype, and test the automated sorting system

Technical Skills Developed

Automation systems, robotics integration, quality control mechanisms, and manufacturing optimization for aerospace applications

Impact & Innovation

Improving manufacturing efficiency and safety standards in the emerging electric aviation industry

Project Objectives

01 Design an automated system to efficiently sort and organize battery pouches based on quality metrics and specifications

02 Integrate computer vision and sensor systems for real-time quality assessment and defect detection

03 Optimize the assembly line workflow to reduce manual handling and improve production throughput

04 Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards and safety protocols

Key Learnings

Understanding the critical role of automation in modern manufacturing
Applying robotics engineering principles to solve industry-specific challenges
Managing complex project timelines and stakeholder expectations
Collaborating effectively in a professional engineering environment

Connection to Joy of Living Theme

This research experience directly aligns with my Joy of Living theme by contributing to the advancement of sustainable electric aviation technology. The development of efficient, automated manufacturing systems for electric VTOLs supports the creation of cleaner, more accessible transportation solutions that can enhance quality of life by reducing travel time, decreasing environmental impact, and improving urban mobility.

Multidisciplinary Competency

Interdisciplinary Learning

FSE 150

Introduction to Grand Challenges

Course Experience

The introductory course to the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, FSE 150, provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the program's main focus areas. The course aimed to familiarize students with diverse engineering solutions and their wide-ranging implications on society.

Historical Context & Cultural Impact

We explored historical technologies and their cultural impacts—examining both positive outcomes and negative consequences. This analysis raised important ethical considerations that are essential when developing solutions to global challenges.

Science Fiction & Engineering Innovation

A particularly fascinating aspect was examining how science fiction influences real engineering developments. This perspective challenged me to think beyond current constraints and envision the potential future applications of emerging technologies.

Ethical Engineering Framework

The course established a foundation for understanding the ethical dimensions of engineering work, emphasizing the responsibility engineers have in considering long-term societal impacts of their innovations.

HST 318

History of Engineering

Course Experience

The History of Engineering class was a transformative multidisciplinary experience that encouraged the development of a systems mindset through examining engineering from multiple perspectives. This course transcended traditional technical boundaries, exploring the complex interplay between engineering and broader subjects.

Interdisciplinary Connections

We investigated how engineering intersects with policy, politics, human behavior, economics, ethics, and business—developing a holistic understanding that engineers must consider multiple domains when solving complex problems.

Technology & Culture Reciprocity

One of the most impactful aspects was exploring the reciprocal relationship between technology and culture. We examined major engineering milestones since 1500, key historical figures, and pivotal events that have shaped global technological progress.

Learning from Engineering Failures

Projects analyzing engineering failures, such as the Bhopal gas tragedy, underscored the critical importance of learning from past mistakes to prevent future calamities.

Value & Connection to GCSP Theme

These interdisciplinary courses have been fundamental in shaping my approach to engineering challenges within the Joy of Living theme. By understanding the historical context of technological development and its cultural implications, I've learned to approach engineering problems with a broader perspective that considers societal impact, ethical considerations, and long-term consequences.

Entrepreneurship Competency

Business Viability & Innovation

FSE 301

Entrepreneurship Course

Transforming Devils Prosthetics from Project to Business Venture

The FSE301 entrepreneurship class has been a pivotal turning point in my academic journey, fundamentally shaping how I approach my team venture with Devils Prosthetics. From the start of the class to our final Evidence-Based Pitch Deck, I engaged deeply with every stage of the entrepreneurial process.

Active Listening & Empathy

By genuinely engaging with potential users of our prosthetics, I learned not just to hear but to understand their diverse needs and concerns.

Research & Critical Thinking

During the course, I decided to work with my team at Devils Prosthetics to transform it into a successful venture, using this class as a launch pad.

Pitch Development & Funding

This class helped me refine our pitch for funding. The skills learned led us to win additional funding in various pitch competitions.

Stakeholder Communication

I learned to articulate the importance of our solutions from various perspectives, ensuring our pitches were compelling and grounded in real-world applications.

Key Skills Developed

Throughout the course, the emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement helped me see challenges not as barriers but as opportunities for growth:

Active listening and user empathy
Effective communication and presentation
Adaptability and problem-solving

Continuous learning and improvement
Business model development
Evidence-based decision making

Connection to Joy of Living Theme

This entrepreneurship experience directly embodies the Joy of Living theme. The class instilled in me a mindset geared toward thoughtful innovation and meaningful engagement with the community, as it brings immense satisfaction to work on projects that enhance people's lives by providing more cost-effective prosthetic solutions.

Multicultural Competency

Global Perspectives

ASB 300

Food and Culture

Course Experience

ASB 300: Food and Culture offered a fascinating exploration of how food serves as a lens for understanding diverse cultures, social structures, and historical developments.

Cultural Significance of Food

We examined how food traditions reflect cultural values, religious practices, economic systems, and social hierarchies.

Globalization & Food Systems

The course explored how globalization impacts food production, distribution, and consumption patterns worldwide.

Cross-Cultural Communication

By studying food as a cultural artifact, I developed deeper cultural sensitivity and awareness.

Connection to GCSP Theme

Understanding cultural diversity through food systems relates to the Joy of Living theme by recognizing that quality of life is deeply influenced by cultural traditions and access to nutritious food.

SLC 212

Languages and Cultures Clash

Course Experience

SLC 212: Languages and Cultures Clash provided an in-depth examination of how language shapes cultural identity and how cultural conflicts arise from linguistic differences and communication barriers.

Language as Cultural Identity

We explored how language serves not just as a communication tool but as a fundamental component of cultural identity.

Navigating Cultural Conflicts

The course examined historical and contemporary examples of cultural clashes resulting from language barriers and miscommunication.

Global Collaboration Skills

I learned strategies for effective communication across cultural boundaries—essential skills for collaborating with international teams.

Connection to GCSP Theme

This course deepens my understanding of the Joy of Living theme by highlighting how effective cross-cultural communication enhances collaboration and understanding.

Value of Multicultural Competency

For my work in robotics and prosthetics—particularly with Devils Prosthetics—this cultural awareness is essential. Different cultures may have varying attitudes toward assistive technologies, different aesthetic preferences, and unique functional requirements based on their daily activities and traditions.

Social Consciousness Competency

Service Learning

EPICS Program

Devils Prosthetics - Electrical Design Lead

3D-Printed Myoelectric Prosthetic Development

As Devils Prosthetics' electrical design lead within EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service), my focus centered on developing a 3D-printed myoelectric prosthetic for trans-radial amputations.

Leadership Role

My role extended beyond technical design to encompass leadership that fostered open communication and mutual respect among team members.

Community Partnership

We initiated communication with our community partner, Noah Nemgar, CPO at Limb Labs, ensuring our prosthetic met real-world needs.

EPICS Elite Funding

The success of securing $10,000 in EPICS Elite Pitch Funding highlighted the effectiveness of our collaborative approach.

Community Impact & Social Responsibility

Our collaboration with Limb Labs went beyond theoretical considerations. Witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts on individuals facing challenges underscored the significance of empathy and social responsibility in the engineering process.

Fulton Ambassadors

3.5 Years • Poly Co-Tour Director • Poly President

Bridging Communities & Building Futures

Fulton Ambassadors (FAs) stands as a vital link between prospective students and donors and the vibrant engineering community within the university.

Leadership Evolution

Throughout my four years with the organization, I assumed several leadership roles including:

Poly Co-Tour Director: Coordinating campus tours and visitor experiences
Poly President: Leading the organization and strategic initiatives

Diverse Responsibilities

My responsibilities spanned:

Conducting one-on-one sessions with incoming students
Representing the school at donor events
Participating in high school visits
Conducting campus tours

Personal Growth

My time as a Fulton Ambassador has marked significant personal growth—from honing public speaking and leadership skills to expanding my network within the engineering community.

Connection to Joy of Living Theme & Engineering

Both service-learning experiences directly embody the Joy of Living theme through meaningful community engagement. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to using engineering as a force for enhancing human well-being and quality of life.

Concluding Remarks

Becoming a Grand Challenges Scholar

Achieving GCSP Goals Across Five Competencies

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program has been a transformative journey that has shaped me into a more well-rounded, socially conscious, and capable engineer.

Talent Competency

Through my capstone project with Wisk Aero, I developed advanced technical skills in automation and robotics.

Multidisciplinary Competency

FSE 150 and HST 318 broadened my perspective beyond pure technical work.

Entrepreneurship Competency

FSE 301 transformed how I approach innovation by teaching me to convert technical projects into viable business ventures.

Multicultural Competency

ASB 300 and SLC 212 developed my cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Social Consciousness Competency

My service-learning experiences with EPICS and Fulton Ambassadors reinforced that engineering is ultimately about serving people.

The Connectivity: Joy of Living as a Unifying Theme

What makes my GCSP experience particularly meaningful is how all five competencies interconnect through the central theme of Joy of Living. This theme isn't just a label—it's the thread that weaves together every course, project, and experience into a cohesive vision of engineering for human well-being.

From Research to Real-World Impact

My research with Wisk Aero contributes to sustainable electric aviation. This connects directly to my service work with Devils Prosthetics, where we're developing affordable assistive technology.

Cultural Awareness Meets Social Impact

My multicultural coursework taught me that improving quality of life requires understanding diverse cultural contexts.

Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle for Impact

The entrepreneurship skills I developed are essential for translating innovative ideas into sustainable solutions that can reach more people.

Preparation as an Engineer and Future Career

The GCSP experience has fundamentally shaped how I approach engineering challenges and has prepared me exceptionally well for my future career in robotics engineering.

Technical & Leadership Skills

Advanced technical expertise in automation and robotics
Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams
Project management and stakeholder communication
Business development and entrepreneurial thinking

Holistic Perspective

Understanding of ethical implications and social responsibility
Cultural awareness for working in global teams
Systems thinking considering multiple factors
Commitment to meaningful social impact

Overall Opinion of the GCSP Experience

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program has been one of the most valuable aspects of my undergraduate education. It has transformed me from a student focused primarily on technical skills into a well-rounded engineer prepared to tackle humanity's greatest challenges.

Feedback for Program Improvement

One suggestion for enhancing the program would be to create more structured opportunities for GCSP scholars to collaborate across different Grand Challenge themes.