############### James D. Turner ############### Email: james@turner.link Web: https://james.turner.link Summary ======= Mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate with research and industry experience in reinforcement learning, nonlinear dynamical systems, mechanical simulation, electromechanical controls, numerical optimization, state estimation, testing and verification, data analysis, and software development. Education ========= Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering – 4.00 GPA 2015–present Duke University Durham, NC * 2017 National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellow: Merit-based, national, full-ride fellowship * 2015 James B. Duke Fellow: Merit-based, four-year fellowship * 2015 Pratt/Gardner Fellow: Merit-based fellowship B.S. Mechanical Engineering – Valedictorian, 4.00 GPA 2011–2015 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC * Minors: Spanish & Computer Programming * 2015 NCSU Mech. & Aero. Engineering Senior Award for Leadership * 2014 Goldwater Scholar: Merit-based, national scholarship * 2011 NCSU Park Scholar: Merit-based, full-ride scholarship Publications & Presentations ============================ Little, J. A., J. D. Turner, and B. P. Mann. “Improving empirical characteristic multiplier estimation through a change of basis”. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 488 (Dec. 2020). Wang, X.-S., J. D. Turner, and B. P. Mann. “Constrained attractor selection using deep reinforcement learning”. Journal of Vibration and Control (May 2020). Turner, J. D., L. H. Manring, and B. P. Mann. “Reinforcement learning for active damping of harmonically excited pendulum with highly nonlinear actuator”. Nonlinear Structures and Systems, Volume 1: Proceedings of the 37th IMAC, Jan. 2019, (2020), pp. 119–123. Turner, J. D., M. J. Mazzoleni, J. A. Little, D. Sequeira, and B. P. Mann. “A nonlinear model for the characterization and optimization of athletic training and performance”. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 9.1 (Feb. 2017), pp. 82–93. Turner, J. D. and B. P. Mann. “Sensitivity of final field position to the punt initial conditions in American football”. Proceedings of the ASME 2016 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Charlotte, NC, August 2016. Turner, J. D. and Y. Zhu. “Three-dimensional structures from electrically-activated self-folding of polymer sheets”. Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, NC, July 2014. Mack, C. M., B. J. Lin, J. D. Turner, A. F. Johnstone, L. D. Burgoon, and T. J. Shafer. “Burst and principal components analyses of MEA data for 16 chemicals describe at least three effects classes”. NeuroToxicology, 40 (Jan. 2014), pp. 75–85. Qin, Q., R. W. Mailen, J. D. Turner, Y. Liu, J. Genzer, M. D. Dickey, and Y. Zhu. “Self-folding of polymer sheets into origami: modeling and experiments”. SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics. Lombard, IL, June 2013. Work & Research Experience ========================== Duke University, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science Aug. 2015 – present Graduate Researcher Durham, NC * Conducted independent research involving reinforcement learning, embedded controls, nonlinear dynamics, optimization, and data analysis. * Designed, built, configured, and documented a computer cluster for the lab group; trained the group to use the cluster. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory June–Sep. 2020 NREIP Research Intern Washington, D.C., (remote) * Conducted independent research involving reinforcement learning for control of an AUV and particle filtering for state estimation. Applied Research Associates May–Aug. 2015 Engineering Intern Raleigh, NC * Designed and developed graphical, memory management, and simulation components of vulnerability assessment engineering software. * Developed custom Python scripts for version control, data visualization and analysis, and systems integration route visualization. N.C. State Univ., Dept. of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Sept. 2011 – May 2015 Undergraduate Researcher Raleigh, NC * Developed automatically foldable structures out of prestrained polymer sheets using nanowire film to generate localized heating. * Designed and fabricated equipment and samples, developed procedures, tested samples, analyzed results, devised improvements. Deere & Company May–Aug. 2013 Product Research & Development Engineering Intern Waterloo, IA * Developed and tested the control software for the power takeoff (PTO) on 5M/5R series tractors. Started with no functioning PTO; by the end of the summer, had fully functional PTO with new mode of operation and superior performance than previous model tractors. Applied Research Associates May–Aug. 2012 Engineering Intern Raleigh, NC * Performed and improved validation testing, analysis, and debugging for accreditation of state-of-the-art munitions effects simulation software. * Received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Summer 2010 & Summer 2011 Research Intern Durham, NC * Developed multiple custom computer programs and scripts to analyze experimental data; modified existing software to work with EPA’s data. Leadership, Involvement, & Service ================================== Open Source Software Project Manager 2018–present ndarray, ndarray-npy, ndarray-rand, ndarray-stats, ndarray-linalg, py_literal National Honor/Professional Societies 2011–present Tau Beta Pi, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, ASME, SIAM University Honor Societies 2011–present Society of Duke Fellows, NCSU Golden Chain, NCSU University Honors Program N.C. State Engineers’ Council 2011–2015 Department Representative, Secretary, Committee Chair * Managed two events with panels, mock interviews, and group sessions to prepare 280 students for Engineering Career Fairs. General H. Hugh Shelton Leadership Center 2008–2013 Coach/Mentor/Trainer, Organizing Subcommittee Chairman, Peer Leader