Waterloo electrical engineering co-op
Circuits. Strings.
A little curiosity goes a long way.
I’m an engineering student, violinist, and community builder. This is a collection of the things I make, the questions I follow, and the people I learn with.
A note from the editor
I’m studying electrical engineering at the University of Waterloo. My interests take me from rover electronics and materials research to concert halls, volleyball courts, and community classrooms. Jazz is part of the soundtrack.
01 / Work experience
Hands-on work in embedded systems and materials research. Learning by designing, testing, and asking better questions.
Contributing to the electronics behind SPEAR’s rover, from custom circuit boards to the embedded software that controls wheel movement.
Explored the mechanical behavior of nanoparticle hydrogels through synthesis, characterization, and mechanical testing.
Tools in the kit
02 / Projects · Side A
A few things I’ve helped bring into the world. The process, the details, and what came out of the work.
TRACK 01 / EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
A custom STM32 development board with EtherCAT integration for the SPEAR rover.
The challenge: upgrade older microcontroller hardware and move communications from CAN bus to EtherCAT.
My contribution: PCB design and assembly, electrical schematics, C++ programming for wheel control, and manual soldering.
The result: a reusable development board that addressed hardware obsolescence and simplified future EtherCAT prototyping.
TRACK 02 / MATERIALS RESEARCH
Studying how crosslinker concentration and nanoparticle aggregation affect hydrogel behavior.
The question: how do composition and nanoparticle aggregation influence a hydrogel’s mechanical properties?
The process: compression tests using the Mach-1 Biomomentum system, stress–strain analysis, and mapping indentation to investigate aggregation.
Beyond the lab: presented the research at FURCA and helped make testing workflows reproducible through documented procedures.
TRACK 03 / EDUCATION & COMMUNITY
Teacher Talks: a three-part interview series with teachers across Edmonton, created through EduSpark.
The idea: humanize learning and help students connect with the people behind their education.
The work: a three-part teacher interview series alongside in-school presentations and an online peer-tutoring network.
The wider effort: EduSpark supported 75+ students and grew its digital reach to 11,000+ interactions.
03 / Extracurriculars · Side B
Music, sport, culture, and education. Different ways of working with people and making something together.
2019 — PRESENT / CO-FOUNDER
Co-founded a peer-tutoring initiative and delivered 800+ hours of academic mentorship for 75+ students across five institutions. Presented interactive STEM lessons to more than 400 students.
2021 — 2025 / FIRST VIOLIN
Selected through competitive annual auditions. Performed classical and contemporary repertoire at the Winspear Centre, learning to listen closely and contribute to a much larger sound.
2024 — 2026 / FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Founded and led the club at Old Scona Academic. Organized 25+ cultural events and seminars, building opportunities for students to share, celebrate, and learn.
2023 — 2025 / VARSITY CAPTAIN
Captained Old Scona’s varsity volleyball team. Earned Team Spirit and Most Improved awards, with a Division 4 Metro Championship and a Division 3 silver medal along the way.
Different settings.
The same love of showing up.
For a team, a student, a rehearsal, or an experiment. These are the experiences I bring with me into the work.
A few meaningful recognitions
OLD SCONA ACADEMIC / 2026
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO / 2026
STEM CASE COMPETITION / 2025
04 / External links · Keep in touch
Have a project in mind, a question about my work, or a jazz recommendation? I’d love to hear it.
Electrical Engineering Co-op · University of Waterloo
j82cho@uwaterloo.ca · linkedin.com/in/jayden-cho-0724b82b7/
Bachelor of Applied Science, Honours Electrical Engineering, Co-op — University of Waterloo
C/C++, Python, Java, Arduino, Git, KiCad, CubeIDE, MATLAB, AutoCAD. Languages: English and Korean.
Collaborated on KiCad PCB designs for 10 custom microcontrollers with EtherCAT integration; programmed STM32 controllers in C++; worked on assembly and thermal regulation. Increased the motor control loop rate from 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz.
Synthesized and characterized 100+ hydrogel formulations; conducted mechanical tests; presented at FURCA; developed procedures supporting 15+ researchers.
STM32 / EtherCAT: a custom development board for the SPEAR rover.
Nanoparticle hydrogels: research into composition, aggregation, and mechanical behavior.
Teacher Talks: a three-part teacher interview series through EduSpark.
EduSpark co-founder: 800+ hours of mentorship, 75+ students, five institutions.
Senior Edmonton Youth Orchestra: first violin, 2021–2025.
Korean Cultural Club: founder and president, 2024–2026; 25+ events.
Varsity volleyball: captain, 2023–2025; Team Spirit and Most Improved awards.
Outstanding Citizen Award — Old Scona Academic, 2026
President’s Scholarship of Distinction — University of Waterloo, 2026
IYCC Silver Medal — 2025