Engineering Innovation Through Robotics and Research

From building robotic arms to developing hospital delivery bots, Nathaniel McQuiston made the most of every opportunity Hofstra offered. With a passion for robotics, he pursued internships at Koehler Instruments, New Standard Corporation, and a transformative co-op at Medtronic’s surgical robotics division in Boston.

“That experience changed the trajectory of my career,” said Nathaniel. “I came out the other side truly feeling like an engineer.”

Nathaniel’s academic journey included research in mechatronic systems – ranging from quadcopters to Segways – and a senior project designing a dual-armed mobile robot to support hospital staff. “Everything I learned came together in that project,” he noted.

A standout mentor, Dr. Kevin Craig, encouraged Nathaniel through research, personal projects, and career planning. “He’s someone I aspire to be like,” Nathaniel said.

He plans to enter the robotics R&D field while also pursuing a master’s degree in robotics or mechatronics. A Resident Assistant during his time on campus, Nathaniel credits Hofstra’s community with shaping him both personally and professionally.

“I’ll miss seeing my friends every day and the sense of connection on campus,” he shared. “Hofstra gave me the space to grow – and the confidence to dream big.”

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