Avendano, Juan
Juan Camilo Avendano
Assistant Professor | College of Engineering and Science - Mathematics and Systems Engineering
Director of the Center for Advance Manufacturing and Innovative Design
Contact Information
Personal Overview
Dr. Juan Camilo Avendano is an Assistant Professor in the Systems Engineering Department and the Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID) at the Florida Institute of Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Systems, which he received in 2020, an M.S. in Systems Engineering, an M.S. in Engineering Management, and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, from the Florida Institute of Technology. He also has significant industry experience as a systems consultant for several years, enhancing his practical understanding of engineering challenges.
Dr. Avendano specializes in advanced manufacturing techniques, digital twin models for transportation infrastructure, and structural health monitoring. In his research, he has completed several projects for companies such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Weisman Worldwide. He has created data acquisition techniques for bridge structural inspections and developed advanced prototypes in the areas of electronics and biomedical engineering.
In addition to his research, Dr. Avendano is committed to educational innovation, incorporating advanced visualization and prototyping technology into his teaching. He teaches courses like Systems Analysis and Design for a (AGILE) Modern Systems and Requirements Engineering, which emphasize hands-on learning and real-world applications. His efforts have attracted external funding, including, most recently, the NSF ExLENT grant, which focuses on leveraging manufacturing and advanced prototyping techniques to enhance engineering education and research, and is aimed at empowering youth through advanced manufacturing and microelectronics.
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Engineering Systems Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Dissertation: "Development of Data Acquisition Techniques and Parametric Representation of Structural Loading and Surface Defects for Bridge Structural Inspection"
M.S. in Systems Engineering Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Thesis: "Development of an Autonomous Structural Inspection System for Limited Access Structures Using a Robotic Aerial Aid to Assess the State of Bridges and High Mast Poles"
M.S. in Engineering Management Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Professional Experience
Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID)
October 2021 – Present
- Lead strategic planning and execution of advanced manufacturing initiatives.
- Develop and manage industry partnerships and collaborative research projects.
- Supervise a multidisciplinary team and manage the center’s operations.
- Assisted in securing diverse funding opportunities and managed over $1 million in state-awarded funds.
Director of Student Projects
August 2017 – November 2021
- Coordinated the recruitment, management, and assessment of Capstone Projects.
- Managed project budgets and ensured financial sustainability.
- Acted as primary liaison between project clients, college administration, faculty, and students.
Director of Operations, Space Coast Fablab (Project Based Learning LLC)
September 2015 – August 2017
- Directed and coordinated activities across engineering, operations, and education departments.
- Developed and maintained innovative curricula for lectures and classes.
- Trained and managed faculty instructors and staff.
Director of Business Development, Site Systems Software Inc.
January 2015 – August 2015
- Identified and pursued new sales opportunities, driving business growth.
- Acted as primary liaison between software developers and clients.
- Managed project documentation and quality management protocols.
System Integration Engineer, Site Systems Software Inc.
April 2013 – January 2015
- Integrated complex client software architectures and ensured seamless functionality.
- Directed troubleshooting sessions and developed comprehensive testing protocols.
Current Courses
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Requirements Engineering (CSE 4610 - 01) Level: Undergraduate
Requirements Engineering (SWE 5110 - 01) Level: Graduate
Systems Requirements Analysis (SYS 4460 - 01) Level: Undergraduate
Systems Requirements (SYS 5460 - 01) Level: Graduate
Systems Requirements (SYS 5460 - NG1) Level: Graduate |
Selected Publications
“Development of a Morphing Wing Using Agonist-Antagonist Rubber Muscle Actuators and Controlled Buckling of Composite Materials.” (JIM-12-008) Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, presented at ICAST2011: 22nd International Conference on Adaptive Structures Technology, Corfu, Greece.
“Preliminary Development of an Aerial Structural Inspection System for Limited Access Structures.” 2013, Avendano Arbelaez JC.
“A Review of System Analysis Methods for Emergency Systems.” Jeffrey McDougall, Luis Daniel Otero, and Juan Avendano, 2013 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon).
“Towards the Development of a Complex Structural Inspection System Using Small-Scale Aerial Vehicles and Image Processing.” Juan Avendano, Luis Daniel Otero, and Paul Cosentino, 2013 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon 2013).
“Development of an Autonomous Structural Inspection System for Limited Access Structures Using a Robotic Aerial Aid to Assess the State of Bridges and High Mast Poles.” IEEE Access, 2016.
“Application of Statistical Machine Learning Algorithms for Classification of Bridge Deformation Data Sets.”JC Avendano, Luis Daniel Otero, 2021 IEEE International Systems Conference.
“Optimization of Sensor Placement in a Bridge Structural Health Monitoring System.” JC Avendano, LD Otero, C Otero, 2021 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), 2021.
“Understanding the Effectiveness of Modern Technologies Compared to Traditional Training Methods of E-Learning on Content Retention and Satisfaction.” Andressa Camacho Ortiz, Luis Daniel Otero, Juan Avendano, Mary Ann Gaal, 2023.
Recognition & Awards
• NSF ExLENT Grant: Explorations: Advanced Manufacturing and Microelectronics to Empower Youth Aging out of Foster Care. $942,765
• BAM State Funding: Principal Investigator for $1 million grant to support advanced manufacturing initiatives.
• Northrop Grumman Digital Twin Project: Principal Investigator for $50,000 project to develop a digital engineering twin for a jet dragster.
• Member of the CareerSource Brevard Industry-Education Consortium board.
• Recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Business Award for Technology and Innovation.
• Keynote Speaker at the 1st Colombian Congress on Aerospace Development.
Research
Research Interests
· Advanced Manufacturing Techniques
· Digital Twin Models for Transportation Infrastructure
· Structural Health Monitoring
· Machine Learning Techniques for Structural Health Analysis
· Pedagogical Inclusion of Advanced Visualization and Prototyping Technology