Dr. Nickels is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at Trinity University in San Antonio TX. He is working with the Mobility and Manipulation Group during the 2005-2006 Academic year while on leave from Trinity.
Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1998
Dissertation Title: Model Based Object Tracking."
M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1996
Thesis Title: Textured Image Segmentation Using Markov Random Fields: Returning Multiple
Segmentations."
B.S. with Distinction, Computer and Electrical Engineering Purdue University, West Lafayette,
IN, 1993
Trinity University, San Antonio TX:
- 2005-present: Associate Professor of Engineering Science
- 1998-2004: Assistant Professor of Engineering Science
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
- June 2005 - July 2006 : Senior Engineer in Avionics Systems and Space Technology, Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA. Vision and Manipulation for In-Space Assembly"
- Summer 2003 : Faculty Fellow in Aeronautics and Space Research, Johnson Space Center,
Houston TX. (Hand-Eye Calibration for Robonaut")
- Summer 2002 : Faculty Fellow in Avionics Systems and Space Technology, Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Pasadena CA. (Fusion of LIDAR and stereo range data for JPL's URBIE
mobile robot")
- Summer 2000 : Faculty Fellow in Aeronautics and Space Research, Johnson Space Center,
Houston TX. (Vision System Stabilization for Mobile Robot Base and Ground Movement")
Vision for Mobile Robots, Image & Scene Analysis, Kalman & Optimal Filtering, Mobile Robotic
Motion Planning & Execution
Education in Digital Design, Effective Classroom/Laboratory Teaching, Design-Oriented Education,
Active Learning, Learning Modes/Styles