Portfolio · 2026

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UBC Mechanical Engineering Student — Vancouver, BC

View My Work Resume

"Liam is an exemplary student and leader. He is a goal-oriented and self-motivated individual, and I am confident that his commitment to learning and helping others will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset to the field of engineering."

Ramanjeet Punia Chemistry Teacher · Ecole Salish Secondary School

"Liam's superpower is how quickly he can learn and pick up new skills. Despite joining [UBC Baja] with little experience, his eagerness and initiative have allowed him to quickly integrate into our team."

Kento Yamanaka Suspension Subteam Lead · UBC Baja SAE

"Liam approaches each responsibility with a positive attitude and genuine empathy, understanding the impact of his efforts on the community members we serve. His ability to engage with individuals in a respectful and caring manner has made a noticeable difference in the atmosphere of our kitchen. "

Lynne Kirk Kitchen Coordinator · Cloverdale Community Kitchen

"Liam has expressed a strong interest in pursuing a career in engineering, and I am confident that his discipline, intelligence, and passion for learning will make him an outstanding engineer. His ability to excel in a rigorous academic environment, along with his community involvement and leadership skills, make him a perfect candidate for this scholarship."

Jesse Pesut French Teacher · Ecole Salish Secondary School
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A bit about me...

Liam Quan

I'm a second year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of British Columbia, with a passion for engineering & design. I love solving problems in a collaborative team-oriented atmosphere, and have experience in a variety of leadership and management positions. When I'm not studying, manufacturing for my design team, or working on projects, you'll probably find me practicing Taekwondo, discovering new (or old) music, or hanging out with my friends.

Currently Studying at the University of British Columbia
Based in Vancouver, BC
Interests Mechanical Design · Simulation
Seeking Internship / Co-op — Summer 2027
See My Projects →
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Projects

Hover to preview · Click to explore

Project 01 2026

UBC Baja Anti-Roll Bar Tabs

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Project 02 2025

UBC Baja Upper Control Arm Jig

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Project 03 2026

Semi-Autonomous Claw

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Project 04 2026

Magnetic Levitation Device

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Hover a project to preview it

Project 01

UBC Baja Anti-Roll Bar Tabs

Designed and manufactured rear anti-roll bar (ARB) chassis mounting tabs for UBC Baja’s single-seat off-road vehicle.

  • Parametric CAD: Modeled sheet metal tabs in SolidWorks built around suspension packaging and geometric constraints.
  • Structural Analysis & FEA: Calculated worst-case torsional loads and ran Ansys FEA simulations, iterating sheet metal thickness to minimize weight while achieving a minimum 1.4 Factor of Safety (FOS).
  • Design Communication: Presented mechanical analysis, weight optimization tradeoffs, and manufacturing plans in a formal design review to 60+ team members.
  • DFM & Fabrication: Designed a custom welding jig for accurate fixturing and fabricated the final assembly using a waterjet, lathe, and welder.
Project 1 photo 1 Project 1 photo 2 Project 1 photo 3 Project 1 photo 4 Project 1 photo 5 Project 1 photo 6
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SolidWorks (CSWA) DFM FEA Machining
Project 02

UBC Baja Upper Control Arm Jig

Designed and fabricated a custom bonding and alignment jig for UBC Baja’s first-ever carbon fiber–aluminum hybrid upper control arms (UCAs).

  • Precision Alignment & CAD: Modeled a sheet metal fixture in SolidWorks engineered to maintain concentricity between carbon fiber tubes and aluminum sleeves for uniform epoxy resin bonding.
  • Fabrication & Rapid Iteration: Manufactured the base structure via waterjet cutting; when legacy riv-nut tube clamps were unavailable, quickly adapted the fixturing using solid metal clamping blocks to apply downward clamping force and meet assembly deadlines.
  • Manufacturing & DFM Insights: Successfully bonded the hybrid suspension arms while navigating thermal warping in the welded aluminum sleeves, gaining hands-on experience in designing around upstream manufacturing tolerances.
Project 2 Project 2 Project 2 Project 2 Project 2 Project 2
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SolidWorks DFM Machining
Project 03

Semi-Autonomous Claw

Co-designed and programmed a semi-autonomous sheet metal robotic claw in a 6-person team for UBC’s APSC 101 competition to maximize rapid object retrieval.

  • Embedded Systems & Circuitry: Designed the electrical circuit and wrote C/C++ control firmware on an Arduino Uno to actuate a micro servo using real-time ultrasonic distance sensor feedback.
  • Control Logic Optimization: Implemented a 3-second ground-detection state toggle, enabling rapid recovery and immediate re-attempts after missed grabs.
  • Real-Time Telemetry & Tuning: Leveraged the Arduino Serial Monitor during live testing to log servo angles and distance thresholds, minimizing reset latency and cycle times.
C/C++ Arduino Data Acquisition Circuit Design
Project 04

Magnetic Levitation Device

Machined, soldered, and tuned an electromechanical magnetic levitation system for UBC’s MECH 220 practicum capable of suspending a 3D-printed model of UBC's famous "Engineering Cairn" for 60+ seconds.

  • Precision Machining: Manufactured components to engineering drawing tolerances, turning the aluminum coil mount on a lathe and machining the PCB mount on a vertical mill.
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication: Cut and formed the structural enclosure using a waterjet cutter and press brake.
  • PCB Assembly & Soldering: Populated and hand-soldered through-hole electronic components including resistors, diodes, and transistors onto the control board.
  • System Integration & Calibration: Assembled the complete electromechanical system and calibrated the onboard gain and offset potentiometers to achieve stable magnetic levitation.
Soldering Waterjet Lathe & Mill Press Brake
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Skills

Engineering

SolidWorks (CSWA) Ansys FEA DFMA GD&T Prototyping

Programming

C/C++ MATLAB Arduino Vibe Coding HTML

Manufacturing

Lathe Mill CNC 3D Printing Power Tools Waterjet

Other

Team Leadership Teaching & Coaching Project Management Event Planning French (DELF B2)
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Resume

Click here for PDF ↓

Experience

Sept 2025 — Present

Suspension Subteam Member

UBC BAJA SAE · Vancouver, BC
  • Collaborated in the design and manufacturing of suspension components for a single seat off-road vehicle
  • Worked and communicated with a multidisciplinary team of 60+ members
April 2026 — Aug 2026

STEM Instructor

UBC Geering Up Engineering Outreach · Lower Mainland, BC
  • Facilitated in-class STEM workshops for elementary and secondary school students
  • Led week-long STEM summer camps for students in grades 4-5

Education

Sept 2025 — Expected Apr 2030

BASc. Mechanical Engineering

University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC
  • GPA: 3.7 / 4.0

Awards & Certificates

2025

B.C. Excellence Scholarship

  • A $5000 scholarship awarded to the top 55 graduating secondary school students in the province of B.C. based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and a personal statement.
2025

Governor General Award

  • An award recognizing the student with the highest academic average across all courses in grades 11-12, awarded annually by each Canadian secondary school.