Nicolas Brown is an optical engineering graduate from the University of Rochester with extensive skills in optics, computing, leadership, and research. He has work experience in optics research labs at UR and MIT Lincoln Lab, as well as in IT roles at Xerox and a startup company developing an autorefractor. Brown maintains a high GPA, has published papers and conference proceedings, and received awards for optical design and business plan competitions. His resume demonstrates strong technical abilities combined with leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

1. Nicolas S. Brown
(585) 880-7599 · n.brown@rochester.edu · linkedin.com/in/nsbrown93
Applied Research and Engineering Qualifications
 Strong theoretical and applied background in optical engineering. Strong in computer science and programming, and information
technology. Developing background in medicine, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and business.
 Strong computing skills: MATLAB, Mathematica, Code-V, Zemax, FRED, Java, Python, C#, Simulink, LabVIEW, Excel, SQL, HTML/CSS/PHP.
 Strong lab, research, and technical writing skills: 2 years in optics research group (1 published paper, 1 conference proceeding), 2-3
credits of lab with writing every semester (5), TA for Honors Organic Chemistry Lab with Advanced Writing Component.
 Consistent leadership and teamwork experience: 2 years (ongoing) as President of a competitive engineering team, leadership
development and brotherhood chair of fraternity, extended leadership development programs, leading workshop groups as TA (x2).
 Awards: Synopsis Code-V optical design competition; Forbes and Mark Ain Business Plan Competitions (3rd and semi-finalist respectively)
Education and Extra-curricular Experience
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ROCHESTER, NY
Bachelor of Science Degree in Optical Engineering May 2015
 Cumulative Optical Engineering GPA of 3.84 (out of 4.0). Graduated with High Distinction.
 Selected Coursework in addition to core optics major: Graduate and Advanced Graduate Lens Design, Control Systems, Applied PDEs,
Data Structures, Artificial Intelligence, Signals and Systems courses, Technical Entrepreneurship, and 3 core economics courses.
Extra-curricular Activities
 UR Baja SAE President, May 2012-May 2014: Competitive, off-road car design team. Restructured team to increase effectiveness.
Spearheaded fundraising strategy ($16,000/yr). Manage external image/relations. Develop and manage software solutions to improve
effectiveness. Learned skills in structuring, motivating, and supporting effective multi-disciplinary engineering and business teams.
 Teaching Assistant for Honors Organic Chemistry Lab, Spring 2012 and Geometrical Optics, Fall 2013 and 2014: Supervised lab work, led
workshops, graded lab reports/homework. Included course for developing technical pedagogy, mentorship, and motivational skills.
 Sigma Nu Fraternity, 2012-present: Leadership Development Chair, Chaplain (Brotherhood), Philanthropy Chair, Disciplinary Committee
 Medical Emergency Response Team, Fall 2012-present: Volunteer first responder in student-run, state EMS agency. Member of month.
 Compass to Personal Success, 2011-2013: Three-year program for developing leadership through community-based activities.
Research and Industrial Work Experience
OVITZ CORPORATION ROCHESTER, NY
Director of Engineering, Information Technology November 2013-June 2015 Part-time, June 2015-present Full-time
 Ovitz is a startup designing a small, low-cost autorefractor for use by ophthalmologists and primary care physicians around the world.
 Directly coordinating full product design lifecycle and scope including mechanical, industrial, electrical, optical and software engineering
as well as direct involvement with marketing, business development, and science. Planned, analyzed, and reported clinical trial results.
 Designed and implemented device’s core image processing software algorithms on embedded hardware with MATLAB and C/C++.
 Implemented all of the company’s current internal IT systems including the website, email account, and project management software.
MIT LINCOLN LABORATORY BOSTON, MA
Optical Engineering Group Intern, Engineering Division Summer 2014 Full-time
 Performed stray light analysis on telescopic system after merging mechanical and optical models. System included dynamic steering
mirrors and filter assemblies. Advised program on baffling, painting, surface finish, and clean room assembly requirements.
 Evaluated a fast steering mirror (FSM) control system and tuned control loop response for program-specific requirements.
 Gained exposure to large-scale applied R&D, specifically in the defense industry and in the optical engineering and control systems fields.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF OPTICS ROCHESTER, NY
Research Group Member (Wayne H. Knox Group) January 2012-January 2014 Part-time, Summer 2013 Full-time
 Member of a group researching femtosecond micromachining applied to corneal refractive laser eye surgery.
 Developed algorithms for rapid precision laser scanning system using LabVIEW, MATLAB, Simulink, and xPC Target (Real-time OS).
 Implemented acousto-optic modulation system for varying refractive index change across cornea to write arbitrary refractive structures.
 Learned research, experimental design, and laboratory skills and worked very closely with several PhD students and professors.
XEROX CORPORATION ROCHESTER, NY
Information Technology Engineer (XCEL Intern) – LinkedIn Recommendation Summer 2012 Full-time
 (Completed two primary projects) Improved scalability of an internal system designed to improve the efficiency of managing Hyperion
Essbase cubes used by Xerox financial analysis (and other) teams. Gained significant exposure to SQL and Oracle databases.
 Start-to-finish first-iteration development of customer account number matching software for Xerox's Customer Information group.
This system will save Xerox an estimated $300,000 annually.
McQUAID JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL ROCHESTER, NY
Computer Network Technician – LinkedIn Recommendation Summer 2010, Summer 2011, Winter 2012 and part-time 2010-2011
 Executed user support, systems administration, and creative implementation of new ventures in school computer network (~300
computers). Gained in-depth knowledge of specific computing technologies and design philosophy through close mentorship.