Zac Abero

Experience

• 

  Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at University of Denver

  Jan 2020 - now

  MicroFactory Consultant

  The Innovation Labs' microFactory is a program where students act as real-time consultants for different jobs on and off campus. These jobs range from creating custom gifts for donors such as laser engraved cutting boards, to 3D printing brain-slicing jigs for medical research facilities.

• 

  University of Denver

  Nov 2022 - now

  As the Woods and Plastics Lab manager, I oversee the general practice and safety of a staff of 10-15 work-study students. As part of a larger team, we are required to communicate amongst our team staff in the Innovation Labs' Digital lab as well. I teach individual workshops for facilitators to help bolster their skillsets in the space as well as facilitate and lead larger workshops that take place in our space. On top of teaching students skills on tool usage, providing insight to their projects and helping with resource allocation, I also teach tool maintenance, upkeep and repair as part of my role, including and not limited to: Tablesaws, Bandsaws, Mitre Saw, Jointer, Planer, Sanders (Belt, Oscillating, Hand, Drum), Sharpening and cleaning hand tools, Router table, Drill Press, 4x8' 3 Axis CNC Router, Wood Lathes, 4-color screenprinting press, exposure unit, 40-ton hydraulic press, steam bender, etc.)I am also responsible for managing our monthly budget, spending, creating and revising curriculum for students to learn from.My favorite part of this role has been my responsibility for actively upgrading the space, I have a long list of numerous jigs, fixtures and features I have made to further develop the Woods & Plastics lab and lower the barrier to use in the space. My main goal as the manager of the space is to make it easier to understand and use tools (powered and not) and spend less time cleaning. Show less My role at the University of Denver was within the Ritchie School of Engineering's Innovation Labs. As a student facilitator, I handled materials, design, and process of productions for other students may have an idea to produce something requiring some type of base material, such as metal, wood or plastics. I also have experience in teaching safety classes on how to use the school's machine equipment, with a particular specialization in the woodshop machinery, such as a range of saws, CNC router, hand tools, power tools and more. Show less Team leads for the Innovation Labs run workshops instructing other students, we also work to keep our makerspaces clean, organized and functional. Inclusive of leading workshops, our team makes decisions on spending our budget or acquiring grants for different projects in the space; some examples of which being a plastics recycler, workbench, organizational infrastructure or new 3D printers for our student accessible makerspace.I particularly specialize in repair and upkeep of the 4x8' wood router CNC, teaching lathe workshops and training our staff members to give safety orientations on different tools within the workspace. On top of that, leads play a role that we must communicate with each space (Digital, Wood, Plastics) on what needs maintenance/upkeep. Show less DU2SRI is the Unmanned Systems Research Institute. As a lab developer, I handle the creation and revision of code that was developed as part of a class focused on controlling an iRobot ATRV-JR. The modifications to the ATRV-JR ranged from simple systems such as LED lights controlled by an Arduino to more complex onboard Raspberry Pi control systems. Outside of the coding world, I also handle the organization and break-down of old projects and materials within the lab, providing a cleaner space and more efficient work-flow for the researchers in the lab. Show less

  • Innovation Labs Woods Lab Manager

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Makerspace Facilitator

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2023

  • Makerspace Team Lead

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2023

  • Embedded Systems Lab Developer

    Nov 2022 - Aug 2023
• 

  The Worrell Lab

  Dec 2023 - now

  Worrell Lab Assistant

  The Worrell Lab has hired me on to hack a 96-well bio plate reader to accept a modified version of a 96-well plate that has temperature control. My role currently involves establishing the framework, and functionality of this device for others in the lab to use. The role also involves machining, electronics skills, CAD, programming and some ability to document my work for others to read. In this role I am self guided whilst managing another assistant who aids me in documentation and programming.https://www.bradyworrell.com/ Show less

• 

  Scientific Project Zone

  Apr 2024 - now

  Founder

  Scientific Project Zone is a design to fabrication consultancy company created to aid research groups with creating the tooling they need to work more effectively.