My Portfolio

About Me

Hi, I’m Julia Faubus.

I’m a third-year Computer Engineering student at Northeastern University with a passion for embedded systems and computer architecture. I’ve explored these areas through undergraduate research, my role as an Embedded Medtech R&D Engineer at StemWave, and most recently as an Embedded Engineer with the Sherman Center’s Generate Product Development Team. I enjoy building hardware–software systems and working on projects that bring theory into real-world applications. Fun fact: I ran my first half marathon in June!

I created diagnostic tools for this electric shockwave device!

StemWave R&D Co-Op

At StemWave, I focused on building embedded diagnostic tools to improve device reliability and streamline repairs. My work spanned real-time data logging, modular hardware design, and accelerometer-based QA testing.

  • Overview:

    • Built a Python + hardware system to analyze the consistency of applicator heads. Used accelerometer data to measure wave output strength and ensure devices met QA standards.

    Key Features:

    • Mount accelerometer directly on applicator head.

    • Filtered and smoothed high-frequency data with Python signal processing.

    • Grouped and compared test runs for consistency across devices.

    Impact:

    • Provided engineers with a reliable way to validate shockwave output performance, ensuring consistent therapeutic output for patients.

  • Overview:

    • Developed a non-invasive diagnostic plug to simplify voltage measurement within the top unit. The design routes internal voltages through a coaxial connector, enabling safe external probing.

    Key Features:

    • Modular coaxial cable with embedded signal lines.

    • External port for simplified voltage access during troubleshooting.

    • Eliminates need for repeated disassembly (device has many screws).

    Impact:

    • The plug dramatically reduced time to diagnosis, allowing engineers to measure critical voltages without opening the system.

  • Overview:

    • Designed an STM32-based diagnostic tool that monitors the device’s capacitor charging and power pack outputs in real time. Implemented DMA with ADC to handle high-frequency sampling without overloading the CPU.

    Key Features:

    • Real-time capacitance tracking with anomaly detection.

    • Analog Watchdog thresholds for event detection.

    • Circular buffer system to capture pre- and post-event data.

    • Data logging to SD card for later analysis.

    Impact:

    • This system makes the device more reliable and safer for the user while also enabling engineers to analyze anomalies after they occur.

Parses Research Lab

What I Did:

  • Tested origami-inspired robots with ROS + Python.

  • Used pressure sensors & actuators to measure deformation.

  • Explored how Kresling origami responds under load.

I worked with this 3D-printed origami Kresling!

Furthering Research (PEAK Base Camp Award):

  • Awarded funding to study sensor placement on flexible structures.

  • Simulated stress, strain, and deformation in COMSOL.

  • Modeled TPU behavior & analyzed fold mechanics.

  • Impact: Insights for medical + assistive robotics.

My research poster!

Generate Product Development Team

Role: Embedded Engineer (Fall 2025 – Present)

  • Recently accepted to Northeastern’s Generate Club, contributing as an embedded engineer.

  • Develop firmware for a tabletop candle-making device as part of a client focused project.

  • Excited to continue applying embedded systems skills to real-world product development.

Give a Hand Club

Role: Member (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)

  • Collaborating on the design and prototyping of a muscle controlled device to support accessibility.

  • Contributed to the development and testing of a bionic hand prototype.

  • Assisted in refining device functionality through iterative testing and feedback.

Projects

  • MIPs Processor

    Personal Project (current)

    Designing a 16-bit single-cycle MIPS processor in Verilog on the BASYS 3 board.

    Implemented instruction & data memory, ALU, and control logic.

    Currently testing functionality through simulation and FPGA deployment.

  • RISC-V Processor

    Digital Design & Computer Architecture Course (current)

    Building a basic RISC-V CPU core in on the PYNQ-Z2 as part of an engineering course.

    Implementing instruction fetch, decode, execute, memory access, and write-back stages.

    Will gain experience with CPU architecture, HDLs, and simulation tools.

  • Coffee Machine

    Computer Science Honor Society

    Designed and built a microcontroller-controlled coffee maker.

    Designed the subsystem that receives and processes user instructions.

    Implemented control logic to execute brewing steps automatically.

  • HexaPod

    Embedded Design Course

    Programmed a six-legged walking robot to execute stable gait patterns.

    Implemented multi-motor coordination for synchronized leg movement.

    Applied robotics and embedded systems concepts to real hardware.

  • Mathsketball

    Cornerstones of Engineering

    Built an educational game combining math challenges with basketball.

    Programmed Arduino to display random multiplication problems, accept user input via serial monitor, and track scores and control a servo release mechanism.

    Integrated hardware (servo + screen) with 3D-printed catapult and wooden hoop stand.

  • Mystery Game

    Cornerstones of Engineering

    Created an interactive Arduino-powered dashboard for a narrative car accident simulation.

    Programmed a buzzer and dashboard light circuit with user input via potentiometer and wire-cutting challenge.

    Ensured dashboard logic aligned with the group’s story-driven experience.