Education

• PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Summer 2016
  University of Missouri

• Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Spring 2010 – Fall 2011
  University of Missouri, GPA: 4.0/4

• Completed courses equivalent to a Major in Mathematics, Jan 2008 – Dec 2009
  Del Valle University, Guatemala City, Guatemala, GPA: 93.9/100

• Bachelor of Science, Electronics Engineering, Jan 2001 – Dec 2005
  Del Valle University, Guatemala City, Guatemala, GPA: 95.3/100

Work and Teaching Experience

Research Assistant

• Vision-Guided and Intelligent Robotics Laboratory Spring 2012 – Summer 2016
  University of Missouri, Advisor: Dr. Guilherme DeSouza

Teaching Assistant

• Summer Transition Program, Mathematics Module – University of Missouri.  Summer 2014 and 2015.

• Real Time Embedded Computing (ECE4220/7220) – University of Missouri.  Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2014.  “Outstanding Achievement as a Teaching Assistant” recognition, Fall 2012.

• Undergraduate Math, Physics, Electronics and Computer Science courses and laboratories – Del Valle University.  Jan 2003 – May 2005.

Instructor

• Real Time Embedded Computing (ECE4220/7220) – University of Missouri.  Fall 2014, Spring and Fall 2015, Spring 2016.

• Elementary Spanish 2 (Spanish 1200) – University of Missouri.  Fall 2012.

• Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, II – Del Valle University.  Jan 2007 – Dec 2009.

• Introductory Physics I, II – Del Valle University.  Jan 2007 – Dec 2009.

• Introduction to Electromagnetic Theory I, II – Del Valle University.  Jan 2007 – Dec 2009.

• Capstone project coordinator – Del Valle University.  Jan 2006 – May 2006.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in C/C++, Visual Basic, MATLAB, MS Office, multi-threaded programming, microcontroller and Linux programming.

• Experience with embedded ARM programming, Linux kernels, Real Time scheduling, network protocols, USB and serial communication for real time systems and applications using TS-7250 embedded devices and Raspberry Pi embedded systems.

• Proficient and experienced with technical software including Eclipse, MobileSim, LabView Express, Lyx.

Research Interests

• Assistive Technology

• Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition

• Computational Intelligence

• Embedded Systems

• Robotics and Automation

Publications

• N. R. Smith, L. A. Rivera, M. M. Dietrich, C. R. Shyu, M. P. Page, and G. N. DeSouza, “Detection of Simulated Vocal Dysfunctions using Complex sEMG Patterns”, IEEE-EMB Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Vol. PP, No. 99, October 2015.

• L. A. Rivera and G. N. DeSouza, “Detecting Terahertz Signatures Using Guided Under-determined Source Signal Separation”, 40th IEEE International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, Hong Kong, August 23 - 28, 2015.

• N. R. Smith, L. A. Rivera, N. Burford, T. Bowman, M. O. El-Shenawee, and G. N. DeSouza, “Towards Root Phenotyping in situ Using THz Imaging”, 40th IEEE International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, Hong Kong, August 23 - 28, 2015.

• L. A. Rivera, N. R. Smith, and G. N. DeSouza, “High-Accuracy Recognition of Muscle Activation Patterns Using a Hierarchical Classifier”, 5th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, São Paulo, Brazil, August 12 – 15, 2014.

• L. A. Rivera and G. N. DeSouza, “Haptic and Gesture-Based Assistive Technologies for People with Motor Disabilities”, book chapter in Assistive Technologies and Computer Access for Motor Disabilities, IGI Global, 2013.

• L. A. Rivera and G. N. DeSouza, “Control of a Wheelchair using an Adaptive K-Means Clustering of Head Poses”, IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence, Symposium on CI in Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, Singapore, April 16 – 19, 2013.

• L. A. Rivera and G. N. DeSouza, “A Power Wheelchair Controlled using Hand Gestures, a Single sEMG Sensor, and Guided Under-determined Source Signal Separation”, 4th RAS & EMBS IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, Rome, Italy, June 24 – 27, 2012.

• L. A. Rivera and G. N. DeSouza, “Recognizing Hand Movements from a Single sEMG Sensor using Guided Under-determined Source Signal Separation”, 12th IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, June 29 – July 1, 2011.

Projects

• “An Embedded Control System for Intelligent Wheelchairs”, using a Raspberry Pi Embedded system.

• “An Embedded surface Electromyographic (sEMG) Signal Acquisition and Analysis System”, for Robotic Assistive Technology Applications.

• “Wheelchair Control using Head Poses”, using Kinect and Sonar sensors.

• “Speech Recognition Interface”, for Assistive Technology Applications.

• “Detecting Terahertz Signatures Using Guided Under-determined Source Signal Separation”.

• “Generic Robot Simulator using Matlab”, as a Mechatronics and Robotic Vision course project.

• “Wireless control of a cell phone through sEMG signals”, using an Arduino system and Bluetooth protocol.

• “An Interface for Measuring the Response Time of Patients with Muscle Dystrophy”.

• “Design and Implementation of a Self Sufficient Robotic System”, as a B.S. graduation project, inspired by the Mars rovers.

Awards and Recognitions

• Travel fund grant to attend and present a research paper at the 40th IEEE International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, IRMMW-THz 2015, in Hong Kong (August 2015).

• Travel fund grant to attend and present a research paper at the 5th IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob2014, in São Paulo, Brazil (August 2014).

• "Outstanding Achievement as a Teaching Assistant", recognition by the Missouri Students Association (November 2012).

• Fulbright-Laspau scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in the USA (January 2010 - December 2011).

• "Person of the month" at Del Valle University (December 2009).

• Second place of the “Premio a la Excelencia 2006” (Excellency Award 2006), by Fundación Pantaleón, Guatemala (March 2007).

• “Cum Laude” graduation distinction (March 2006).

• “Estudiante Distinguido” (Distinguished Student) diploma, second highest distinction, of the Del Valle University for students’ performance, year 2005.

• “Honor por Méritos Académicos” (Honor to the Academic Merit) diploma, highest distinction of the Del Valle University for students’ performance, years 2001, 2002, 2003 y 2004.