About Adrian
Hi, I’m Adrian Ildefonso. I’m a research engineer in the Radiation Effects and Optoelectronics Branch at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. I’m originally from a small town in Puerto Rico called Arroyo. I completed my B.S. in computer engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, in 2014. After graduating, I moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue my PhD. I completed my M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in 2017 and 2020. While at Georgia Tech, I worked as a research assistant in the Silicon-Germanium Devices and Circuits Team led by Dr. John D. Cressler.
Research
My research is focused on the effects of space radiation on electronic systems. The goal is to build more robust satellite communication systems. I study how electronic devices and systems fail under harsh radiation conditions and find ways to mitigate the damage. My work has taken me to radiation facilities all over the world and I’ve accumulated over 1,000 hours of radiation effects testing so far. See a map of my travels below. I am also a part of the Boricua Planeteers! This is me in action!
Life is a Big Experiment
As a scientist, I believe life is one big experiment. As a leadership coach at Georgia Tech, I encourage people to craft small experiments around their behaviors and habits to figure out how to live their best lives. There is so much information in books and online about how to improve your life by changing how you manage your time, you measure your productivity, how you organize your life… It can be overwhelming! Figuring out which tools and techniques work best for you is just a matter of trying them out. The key is being mindful about these choices/experiments and, as a good scientist, taking notes about how its changing your life. If you want to know more, feel free to reach out!
Hobbies + Life Outside of Lab
During my travels, I like to explore local craft breweries, cocktail bars, and restaurants. I’m a fan of craft beer and the brewing process, though I’m partial to IPAs and sour beers. I routinely volunteer at food and beer festivals so I can talk to people with similar interests. I also enjoy mixing cocktails, in particular, whiskey- and mezcal-based drinks. I’m open to beer and cocktail recipe suggestions. I recently opened an Instagram account to chronicle my journey as I learn to make more drinks (and occasionally take pictures of them).