Nolan Tsuchiya

California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Los Angeles

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Nolan Tsuchiya is a dedicated mechanical engineering educator whose work centers on curriculum innovation, mechatronics education, and improving the first-year student experience. His research focuses on integrating hands-on, industry-relevant technology into undergraduate engineering programs. A key contribution is his work on the OPTO-22 Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) Learning Center, detailed in his 2017 paper, which describes how this integrated hardware-software system is used in control systems courses at Cal Poly Pomona to bridge theory and real-world automation practice. His most impactful work, however, addresses a critical juncture in student success: the redesign of the first-year mechanical engineering orientation course (ME 100L). With an annual enrollment of approximately 400 students, Tsuchiya’s 2024 study assesses how a redesigned, lab-based orientation can better engage incoming students and build foundational skills. While his citation counts (3 and 2 respectively) reflect the applied, pedagogical nature of his scholarship, his true impact is measured by the hundreds of students whose engineering journeys are shaped by his thoughtful curriculum design. Tsuchiya’s work exemplifies how engineering education research can directly enhance student learning and retention.