CV
CJ O'Neill CV
Basics
Name | Christopher (CJ) O'Neill |
Label | Aerospace Engineering Researcher |
Christopher.Oneilljr@colorado.edu | |
Phone | 720-219-7622 |
Work
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2025.01 - Present Boulder, CO
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Radar and Remote Sensing
CU Boulder
Research focused on using novel radar technologies to characterize the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) to protect Hawaiian forests.
- Simulated radar cross sections of ʻŌhiʻa canopies to demonstrate detectable changes in tree health using parameters of satellites currently in orbit; presenting at AIAA SciTech Forum Jan. 2026.
- Generated a full 3D synthetic aperture radar (SAR) scenario of Hakalau National Wildlife Reserve using MATLAB Radar Toolbox to validate the proposed radar application.
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2024.08 - 2024.12 Boulder, CO
Teaching Facilitator - Intro to Thermodynamics and Aerodynamics
CU Boulder
- Held regular office hours to support student learning by breaking down complex concepts.
- Served as Accommodations Lead, managing logistics and testing for over 20 students requiring academic accommodations.
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2023.05 - Present Boulder, CO
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Spacecraft Systems Engineer
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)
Systems engineer for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA). Working 15-20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer.
- Engineered a novel Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithm using JPL's SPICE toolkit to optimize spacecraft attitude planning during asteroid flybys.
- Performed high-fidelity, full dynamics simulations using Basilisk, including gravity assists, flybys, and maneuvers.
- Integrated spherical harmonics into EMA attitude simulations for more accurate spacecraft positional models.
- Created Camera Kernels (CKs) and Instrument Kernels (IKs), directly informing ConOps to prevent component over-temperatures and to optimize solar array pointing.
- Analyzed observation windows to identify stray light interference, informing optimal baffle design; presented at AIAA Student Conference (1st place) and presenting at AIAA SciTech Forum.
- Architected a comprehensive spacecraft block diagram, streamlining assembly, integration, and test (AIT) processes.
- Authored detailed overviews for each spacecraft subsystem and their components.
- Led technical reviews and prepared interface documentation, resolving critical inter-subsystem dependencies.
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2022.09 - 2023.10 Boulder, CO
Student Ambassador
CU Boulder
- Guided prospective students and families on campus tours, providing insights into academics and student life.
- Presented key information and responded to questions during high-profile Admitted Students Day panels.
Volunteer
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2024.05 - 2025.05 Vice President
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
- Spearheaded the complete restructuring of the struggling organization, leading to a 10x increase in member engagement.
- Led back-to-back semesters of the largest initiation classes since 1980.
- Created a $200 annual chapter scholarship and instituted transition documents for leadership continuity.
- Organized philanthropic events including blanket making for Children's Hospital, a food drive for Harvest of Hope (>200lbs collected), and a creek cleanup (>100lbs collected).
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2023.02 - 2025.02 Collegiate Mentor - STEMSCAPE
BAE Systems & CU Boulder
Annually mentored a group of high school students through an aerospace engineering spacecraft design challenge (Feb 2023, 2024, 2025).
- Guided student groups to win 1st place (2024) and 2nd place (2025).
- Helped students prepare and present their spacecraft designs to professional engineers.
- Led STEM activities and puzzles for over 100 students.
Education
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2022.08 - 2026.05 B.S.
University of Colorado Boulder
Aerospace Engineering
- Radar and Remote Sensing
- Aerospace Electronics
- Planets and their Atmospheres
- Aerospace Vehicle Design
- Attitude Dynamics and Orbital Mechanics
- Aircraft Dynamics
- Computational Methods
Awards
- 2025.08
Charles A. Barth Scholarship in Space Research
The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)
- 2025.06
Henry Ogrodzinski Scholarship Recipient
National Association of State Aviation Officials (National)
- 2025.06
Balance Scholarship
Theta Xi Fraternity (Chapter)
- 2025.04
1st Place, Undergraduate Research Category
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Student Conference
- 2024.12
Academic Excellence Award
Interfraternity Council (University)
- 2024.07
Brems Scholar
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society (National)
- 2024.06
Rudd Scholar
Theta Xi Fraternity (National)
- 2022.08 . Present
CU Boulder Esteemed Scholar - President Horace M. Hale Award
Received 6 times
- 2022.08 . Present
Dean's List - College of Engineering and Applied Science
Received 6 times
- 2022.12
- 2022.04
- 2021.04
Publications
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2025.06 -
2025.06 Modeling Trajectory and Attitude to Optimize Baffle Design for the Optical Navigation System of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt
Aerospace Research Central, AIAA SciTech Forum
Accepted
Skills
Software | |
MATLAB | |
Python | |
Basilisk | |
GIT | |
DOORS | |
Confluence |