“I have worked with Michael for about 7 years while he was working on his PhD and as an entrepreneur. The effort related to bringing an innovative plant drought stress sensor that we co-invented to the agriculture market. This involved high level micro- and nano-technology clean room work, a lot of mechanical and electrical engineering and materials science as well as learning the many aspects of entrepreneurship in a very different market. Michael led us in the NSF I-Corps training program with weeks of interviews on the road with potential customers. Throughout this process Michael worked extremely hard and combined the ability to do a very diverse range of critical activities with the ability to laser focus on critical issues in this complex sensor development and deployment in the field. I can highly recommend Michael. ”
About
Born and raised in Puerto Rico. I went to Cornell University for my Mechanical…
Activity
-
Accurate irrigation management can improve water use efficiency. Research has shown that water savings can be up to 50%. Growers looking to improve…
Accurate irrigation management can improve water use efficiency. Research has shown that water savings can be up to 50%. Growers looking to improve…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
What’s the best part about having kids? Watching them grow up. What’s the worst part about having kids? Watching them grow up. Have a great fist…
What’s the best part about having kids? Watching them grow up. What’s the worst part about having kids? Watching them grow up. Have a great fist…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
#Sacramento you can help save a life! We're partnering with the Iranian American Cultural & Educational Center (IACEC) to help our local patient in…
#Sacramento you can help save a life! We're partnering with the Iranian American Cultural & Educational Center (IACEC) to help our local patient in…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
Experience
Education
-
Cornell University
-
Activities and Societies: ELAB
Through his research, Michael has modeled water flow in plants, microfabricated water-sensing devices, and developed a high-accuracy humidity control/measurement system. His latest efforts are to measure the thermodynamic properties of liquids under tension.
-
-
Activities and Societies: Alpha Omicron Sigma
Learned Mechanical Engineering, and interned at a few interesting places.
Publications
Patents
-
Multimodal sensor, method of use and fabrication
Filed US US 14/898,003
A multimodal sensor includes a microtensiometer for measuring the chemical potential of a sub-saturated liquid, a temperature sensor, and a water content sensor.
Other inventorsSee patent
Projects
-
Developed marketing & iconography for Sibley Graduate Research Symposium
Designed the iconographic logo for the conference, still in use today, and strategy to market to students.
Honors & Awards
-
USDA SBIR phase II: In-plant probe of water potential for feedback controlled management of water status in fruit crops
USDA
A $600k government contract to commercialize the microtensiometer chip as a sensor for water stress in woody crops. Only 50% of Phase II applications get funded.
-
NSF SBIR phase I: Water potential probe for real-time, spatially resolved measurements of water potential in precision agriculture
NSF
A $225k government contract to commercialize the microtensiometer chip as a sensor for water stress in annual crops. Less than 10% of applications were accepted.
https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1309759 -
USDA SBIR phase I: In-plant probe of water potential for feedback controlled management of water status in fruit crops
USDA
A $100k government contract to commercialize the microtensiometer chip as a sensor for water stress in woody crops. Less than 10% of applications were accepted.
-
Accepted | Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST) Prize Competition
USDA
One of four teams accepted to go through the intensive 10-week program. Get $50k, spend 6 weeks on the road to interview 100+ customers and hammer out your business model canvas.
-
Finalist | Cornell Venture Challenge
-
FloraPulse was a top 5 finalist in the Cornell Venture Challenge pitch competition.
-
Winner | Shark Tank @ Cornell
-
FloraPulse was awarded the $1,500 first place in the Cornell Shark Tank pitch competition. You have 4 minutes... GO!
-
GA Harris Research Instrumentation Fellowship
Decagon Devices
Fellowship that got our lab the awesome WP4C water potential meter. Can't beat 0.5 bar accuracy!
-
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
National Science Foundation
Funded 3 years of my PhD at Cornell.
-
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Graduate Scholarship
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Funded 3 years of my PhD at Cornell.
Languages
-
English
Native or bilingual proficiency
-
Spanish
Native or bilingual proficiency
Recommendations received
1 person has recommended Michael
Join now to viewMore activity by Michael
-
As someone whose career depends an enormous amount on highly nuanced judgment, I think a lot about cognitive heuristics and biases. One area that…
As someone whose career depends an enormous amount on highly nuanced judgment, I think a lot about cognitive heuristics and biases. One area that…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
A few weeks ago, I spoke at the Best Friends Animal Society National Conference. I had an amazing time meeting fierce advocates of animal health and…
A few weeks ago, I spoke at the Best Friends Animal Society National Conference. I had an amazing time meeting fierce advocates of animal health and…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Thank you to Andres Olivos and OLIVOSriego for the invite to Chile! Having a blast over here. Nice to have a whole event today just to talk about…
Thank you to Andres Olivos and OLIVOSriego for the invite to Chile! Having a blast over here. Nice to have a whole event today just to talk about…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Thank you to Andres Olivos and OLIVOSriego for the invite to Chile! Having a blast over here. Nice to have a whole event today just to talk about…
Thank you to Andres Olivos and OLIVOSriego for the invite to Chile! Having a blast over here. Nice to have a whole event today just to talk about…
Shared by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Thanks to my good friends at OLIVOSriego for the invite to come to Chile and present!
Thanks to my good friends at OLIVOSriego for the invite to come to Chile and present!
Shared by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
¡ATENCIÓN! Abrimos los últimos cupos. No te pierdas nuestro Seminario sobre "Estrategia hídrica para mejorar la productividad de agua en Cerezos"…
¡ATENCIÓN! Abrimos los últimos cupos. No te pierdas nuestro Seminario sobre "Estrategia hídrica para mejorar la productividad de agua en Cerezos"…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Volunteer Appreciation Post 📣 : Huge Shout Out to Michael Santiago, PhD for his commitment to helping save lives. Since meeting Michael, he's…
Volunteer Appreciation Post 📣 : Huge Shout Out to Michael Santiago, PhD for his commitment to helping save lives. Since meeting Michael, he's…
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Miss Peach Fest 2024 swabbed and joined the NMDP registry! Thank you for your commitment!
Miss Peach Fest 2024 swabbed and joined the NMDP registry! Thank you for your commitment!
Liked by Michael Santiago, PhD
-
Tiny microtensiometer probes for the win baby!
Tiny microtensiometer probes for the win baby!
Shared by Michael Santiago, PhD
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore More