Vaughn Gzenda
MASc Student (2020- )
| Degrees: | BASc (University of Alberta) |
| Email: | vaughngzenda@cmail.carleton.ca |
Vaughn received his BSc (Honors) in Mathematics from the University of Alberta, where he studied geometry and mathematical physics. His undergraduate thesis topic was on a mathematical model of figure skating using methods of geometric mechanics with non-holonomic constraints. His research interests include mathematical modelling using methods from differential geometry, applied to systems which arise in applied science and engineering. In particular, he is most interested in the intersection of differential geometry, control theory and robotic systems. He joined the ASRoM-Lab in the Fall of 2020 to pursue his studies of robotic systems with non-holonomic rolling constraints. His thesis work is centered around developing mathematical models which capture the nonlinear transition between the two physical regimes of rolling without slipping (due to static friction forces) and the physical regime of slip and/or drift (due to dynamic friction forces). The intended application of this work is in modelling and control of wheeled vehicle systems.