Electrical & Computer Engineering · Vanderbilt University, Class of 2026
Omar Khan
I build systems that hold up under real constraints: 250 kW microgrid protection, precision embedded hardware, RF site planning. My background is in power systems, embedded firmware, and hardware from scratch.
About
I'm a senior ECE student at Vanderbilt working in power systems protection & control, RF/5G telecom infrastructure, and embedded hardware. My work runs from simulating fault isolation and BESS dispatch in a 250 kW islanded microgrid with Schneider Electric engineers, to building a syringe pump for under $80 that hit $800+ commercial specs. I'm most interested in problems where the tradeoffs are physical: cost, reliability, power, timing.
Experience
- Designing and simulating a 250 kW DER microgrid (~100 homes) in MATLAB Simscape Electrical
- Building feeder protection schemes to detect, isolate, and clear faults between DERs and load
- Developing SOC-based BESS control for voltage and frequency stability in islanded operation
- Modeling 24-hour load and solar irradiance profiles to validate dispatch, resilience, and performance
- Partnering directly with Schneider Electric engineers to align protection architecture with industry DER coordination standards
- 5G infrastructure site planning and RF analysis across the DMV and Northeast corridor
- Built KML/Python tooling to automate site data processing and reduce manual reporting time
- Produced AutoCAD deliverables for telecom site engineering packages
- Saved ~100 engineer hours/year by scaling a C++/Python test suite to handle terabyte-scale datasets; cut memory consumption by 50% and reduced per-session runtime by 2+ hours
- Built automated tests and an operator UI for a $100K+ fixture (Prophesee/Sony IMX636 EBS sensor, SpectralLED RS-7, Tektronix MSO58LP), doubling throughput during time-limited offsite radiation testing
- Developed a new testing methodology for the IMX636 sensor that surfaced behavioral data no one had documented before; the findings are now part of a mentor's master's thesis
- Coordinated with AFRL and Blue Halo teams and rewrote the characterization documentation after the sole architect left at the end of the summer
- Designed and built a prototype attitude control system for satellites using COTS components, with comprehensive radiation simulations to assess system resilience
- Simulated and tested radiation-hardening approaches for the H-bridge motor driver component
- Contributed foundational groundwork to Vanderbilt's independent CubeSat launch project, validating technical feasibility
Selected Projects
Canvas-based node-graph for ideas that don't fit in lists. Labeled directional connections, infinite pan/zoom, full export to JSON/CSV/plaintext, and AI-prompt templates built in.
250 kW islanded microgrid simulation covering ~100 homes. Feeder protection schemes, SOC-based BESS dispatch, and 24-hour solar/load profiling in MATLAB Simscape.
Two-year effort to secure a permanent on-campus prayer space after the original was demolished with no notice. Reviewed AutoCAD drawings, documented requirements, and kept the project moving through leadership transitions. Opened April 2026.
Custom precision pump built for <$80 — over 90% cheaper than commercial units — achieving ±0.0001 mL accuracy. PCB design, AccelStepper firmware, full CAD-to-assembly.
Founded the first-ever Vanderbilt IEEE Project Showcase — connecting 30+ student project teams with underutilized lab resources, funding, and technical mentorship.
Skills & Tools
Power Systems
Embedded & Software
Hardware
Telecom / RF
Leadership
Sustained a 3-year streak of weekly on-campus Jummah. Helped lead a two-year effort to secure a permanent $500K+ Muslim prayer space after the original was demolished with no notice — opened April 2026, capacity 75+.
Grew membership 95% to 152 members and regular attendance 200% to 40+ students. Managing a $4,500+ annual budget. Founded the first Vanderbilt IEEE Project Showcase, providing start-up funding and mentorship to 30+ student project teams.
Instructed classes of up to 30 students with 16 years of experience and a 2nd-degree black belt. Led ~30% membership growth. Choreographed Vanderbilt LNYF's inaugural Taekwondo performance for an audience of 1,000+.
Scaled membership ~250% (100 → 242 members). Managed a $5K budget and co-led a new flagship event with 500+ attendees. Directed promotional content reaching 25K+ Instagram views.
Education
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Engineering Management
Digital Fabrication