AJ La Barca

Curriculum Vitae

Anthony (AJ) La Barca

PhD Student, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder

Education

2024 – present

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering Sciences

University of Colorado Boulder

  • Advisor: Prof. Nisar Ahmed, COHRINT Lab
  • Focus: Bayesian estimation, data association, autonomous systems, time series classification
2026

M.S., Aerospace Engineering Sciences

University of Colorado Boulder

  • Specialization: Autonomous Systems
2023

B.S., Physics & Astronomy

University of Rochester

  • Minors: Computer Science, Mathematics, Music
  • Senior thesis: supernova spectra classification with Spectral-ViT, a transformer model I developed
  • Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society · Dean’s List (five semesters)

Research Experience

2026 – present

Research Intern, Machine Learning & Perception Group

Draper

  • Research on resilient AI systems; full-time in Summer 2026, continuing part-time in the fall
2025 – present

Graduate Research Assistant

COHRINT Lab, University of Colorado Boulder

  • Developing detector–tracker frameworks for the mWidar microwave imaging radar
  • Time series classification for satellite fault detection, in partnership with Trusted Space, Inc.
2021 – 2022

Undergraduate Researcher

University of Rochester

  • Studied non-principal axis rotation in binary asteroid systems and its effect on BYORP, with Prof. Alice Quillen. Published in Icarus (2021).

Publications

  1. Conference

    Robust Dynamic Object Detection Algorithms for Continuous-Capture mWidar Imaging

    A. J. La Barca, B. Jourabchi, N. R. Ahmed, F. Da Silva

    AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, FL, Jan 2026

    DOI
    BibTeX
    @inproceedings{LaBarca2026mWidar,
  author    = {La Barca, A. J. and Jourabchi, B. and Ahmed, N. R. and Da Silva, F.},
  title     = {Robust Dynamic Object Detection Algorithms for Continuous-Capture mWidar Imaging},
  booktitle = {AIAA SciTech Forum},
  address   = {Orlando, FL},
  year      = {2026},
  month     = jan,
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2026-1386}
}
  2. Conference

    Time Series Classification for Satellite Fault Detection

    A. J. La Barca, J. Waltz, N. R. Ahmed, A. Kim, I. Hussein, M. Dean, M. Simon

    AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, FL, Jan 2026

    DOI
    BibTeX
    @inproceedings{LaBarca2026Satellite,
  author    = {La Barca, A. J. and Waltz, J. and Ahmed, N. R. and Kim, A. and Hussein, I. and Dean, M. and Simon, M.},
  title     = {Time Series Classification for Satellite Fault Detection},
  booktitle = {AIAA SciTech Forum},
  address   = {Orlando, FL},
  year      = {2026},
  month     = jan,
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2026-2897}
}
  3. Journal

    Non-principal axis rotation in binary asteroid systems and how it weakens the BYORP effect

    A. C. Quillen, A. J. La Barca, Y. Y. Chen

    Icarus, vol. 368, 114826, 2021

    DOI
    BibTeX
    @article{Quillen2021BYORP,
  author  = {Quillen, A. C. and La Barca, A. J. and Chen, Y. Y.},
  title   = {Non-principal axis rotation in binary asteroid systems and how it weakens the {BYORP} effect},
  journal = {Icarus},
  volume  = {368},
  pages   = {114826},
  year    = {2021},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114826}
}

Teaching

2024 – 2025

Teaching Assistant, Orbital Mechanics & Attitude Dynamics

University of Colorado Boulder

  • Held office hours, graded assignments, and assisted with course administration
2022 – 2023

Physics Department Teaching Intern

University of Rochester

  • Led workshops, held office hours, and graded for General Physics I, Electricity & Magnetism, and Honors Modern Physics

Honors & Awards

Dec 2023

Citizen of the Month, Nassau County Legislature

Oct 2023

Citation for Extraordinary Service to the Community

2021 – 22

Winner, University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition

2021, 2023

USA Ultimate D-III Metro East Champions; 12th at College Nationals

2019 – 2022

Dean's List, University of Rochester

Skills

Programming
Python (ML, data analysis), MATLAB, Julia, C/C++, Java, LISP, LaTeX, Git, Unix
Estimation & ML
Kalman & particle filtering, data association, Bayesian inference, time series classification, computer vision
Observational Astronomy
MaxIM DL, SAOImage, CCDStack, TCS-Go Galil, TheSky, remote observation
Engineering & Lab
Vectorworks CAD, 3D printing, spectrophotometry, Mastersizer 3000 particle size analysis, XRF analysis

Selected Course Projects

  • Adoption of the Transformer Architecture for Supernova Detection in the DESI Survey (2023)
  • Effectiveness of Transfer Learning for Medical Computer Vision (2023)
  • HII and Massive Star Formation Regions, with T. Lovan (2023)
  • Presence of Dark Matter Halos in Cluster and Field Galaxies (2022)

Other Experience

2024

Tool Rental Lead

The Home Depot

  • Managed the rental center, developed sales techniques, and trained staff on heavy-lift equipment
2023 – 2024

Assistant Associate Support Department Supervisor

The Home Depot

  • Built and reviewed store scheduling, provided logistics support, and planned community outreach events

Activities

  • Society of Physics Students · Astronomy Club · Rock Climbing Club
  • Rochester Ultimate Frisbee
  • University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra