Mechanical engineering

Robert
Cherkas

I’m a mechanical engineering student interested in robotics, mechatronics, and emerging technologies designed around the people who use them.

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About me

I’m a junior studying Mechanical Engineering at Florida State University, where I move between physical design, embedded systems, and interdisciplinary research. As Associate Team Lead for FSU iGEM, I help connect technical decisions with the people and public-health questions behind them. I also teach mechatronics, facilitate Student Innovators projects, and lead hands-on work in robotics. I’m working toward a career in assistive robotics and mechatronic systems for human interaction. Outside of school, I spend time outdoors, build personal projects, and read.

Current roles

FSU iGEM Associate Team Lead · Mechatronics teaching assistant · Student Innovators Project Facilitator Intern

Areas of interest

Assistive robotics · Mechatronic design · Human-machine interaction · Emerging technology

Highlighted work

Selected research, design, and team projects spanning synthetic biology, mechanical design, robotics, and embedded systems.

Project 01 2025 — Present

FSU iGEM

Current research on phthalate exposure and gut-based bioremediation, developed through an engineering and human-centered lens.

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My current iGEM work asks a practical question: how can a synthetic-biology intervention address chronic phthalate exposure without losing sight of the people, behaviors, and systems surrounding the technology?

Context
The 2026 FSU team is studying how DEHP and related phthalates leach from consumer products, interfere with hormonal signaling, and might be addressed through gut-based remediation.
My role
Associate Team Lead, bridging engineering decisions, human-centered strategy, project coordination, and public communication.
Current work
Developing the remediation framework and presenting the team’s research through FSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Visit the FSU iGEM wiki Research profile
FSU iGEM team member at the 2025 Tallahassee Biotechnology Expo
FSU iGEM community outreach, 2025Aidan Marengo / FSU iGEM ↗
Project 02 2025

Bioreactor Design

A compact cylindrical assembly developed from individual SolidWorks parts into a complete, reviewable mechanical system.

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This project pushed me past isolated part modeling and into the decisions that make a real assembly understandable: interfaces, access, fasteners, packaging, and drawing clarity.

Design
A cylindrical enclosure with an integrated handle, service fittings, outer shell, base, and fastening features.
My role
Modeled the components, resolved their fit in the assembly, and produced the SolidWorks drawing package.
What I learned
How small interface decisions compound across an assembly and why documentation is part of the design—not an afterthought.
Sanitized isometric CAD view of Robert's bioreactor assembly
Sanitized assembly viewCAD by Robert Cherkas
Project 03 2026 — Present

Think & Drive

A beginner-friendly autonomous vehicle project built around Arduino control, ultrasonic sensing, and clear system architecture.

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I’m leading Think & Drive as a practical entry point into robotics: a small car that gives newer builders a reason to learn wiring, embedded code, sensor processing, state logic, and disciplined team workflow together.

Context
Fall 2026–Spring 2027 Student Innovators project at the FSU Innovation Hub.
My role
Project Lead, guiding an approachable build for students developing programming, microcontroller, and data-processing skills.
Status
In development, with the team defining the chassis, electronics stack, sensor behavior, and navigation states.
View Student Innovators
Representative ultrasonic-sensor robot car used as a reference image for Think and Drive
Representative robot-car reference; build photos coming soonMikhail Seleznev / Unsplash ↗