Michael Zepeda
Phone: 773-683-7340
Email: michael.zepeda4@icloud.com
Chemical Engineer with experience in process development, automation, controls, calibration, manufacturing, and project engineering. Skilled in PLC systems, process optimization, troubleshooting, and commissioning. Passionate about improving industrial processes through practical engineering solutions and continuous improvement.
Personal project of a PLC driving a stepper motor pump.
Tools gained and worked with as Industrial Maintenance Specialist.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Industrial Maintenance Specialist
Novolex
Bridgeview, IL
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Performed maintenance on grinders, crystallizers, extruders, formers, and trim press.
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Documented all work performed in maintenance logs and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
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Followed all safety procedures, lockout/tagout protocols, and company policies.
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Rebuilt blow by valves, balance cylinders, motor-pump adapters, toggle arms, and exhaust filters.
2025
Calibration Engineer
CSL Behring
Bradley, IL
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Provided calibration support to maintain operational continuity, performing maintenance and compliance tasks for metrology instruments.
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Identified root causes of instances where metrology instruments deviated from tolerance, and carried out risk assessments for quality events.
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Managed documentation of readings from metrology reference instruments and tracked deviations from standard instruments.
2024
Graduate Assistant
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL
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Published peer-reviewed research advancing the understanding of electrolyte modeling and CO2 surface reduction mechanisms.
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Pioneered simulation techniques to explore solid electrolyte interface dynamics, informing future material design strategies.
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Served as a graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate chemical process control course and microbiology courses, handling grading and weekly office hours.
2020-2023
Lab Supervisor
Tradebe Environmental Services
East Chicago, IN
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Prepared shift summaries, reported experimental results, troubleshot and calibrated instruments.
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Measured chemical and physical properties of incoming material using instruments like HPLC, mass spectrometry, calorimetry, and wet chemistry.​
2019-2020
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago
Doctoral Coursework & Research in Chemical Engineering
Chicago, IL
2022-2023
University of Illinois at Chicago
Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering
Chicago, IL
2020-2021
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Iowa City, IA
2016-2019