So, Who Am I?

My name is Shant Gananian—a mechanical engineer with a strong passion for smart micro-mechatronic systems and a deep curiosity for innovation at the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing.

I recently completed my second degree: a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany, majoring in Mechatronics and Microsystems Technology with minors in Robotics and Medical Engineering. This course of study was the natural next step in preparing for the future of engineering—where automation, robotics, and integrated systems play a central role.

Academic and Research Experience

To strengthen my academic path, I worked at KIT’s Institute for Automation and Applied Computer Science (IAI) both during and after my studies. There, I contributed to research in the identification, control, and monitoring of multi-size systems, as well as the application of automation in the circular economy.

For my Master’s thesis, I explored new materials and methods for solution-based encapsulation of printed electronic devices. I:

  • Designed and modified a Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) test,
  • Developed encapsulation membranes using Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and five different nanofillers (clays, silica, graphene oxide, and glass flakes),
  • Tested them on printed electronic structures,
  • And co-authored a paper presented at the IEEE FLEPS 2024 Conference in Tampere, Finland (more on this under Publications).

Industry Background

Before pursuing my Master’s, I earned my first degree (Diploma) in Mechanical Engineering, majoring in Power Engineering, and spent over nine years in the United Arab Emirates. I held senior leadership roles including Production Manager and QHSE Manager across large industrial groups.

In these roles, I led initiatives to implement and optimize systems for production, quality, safety, and sustainability—delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency and compliance.

I bring together:

  • Leadership experience,
  • Technical problem-solving skills,
  • A hands-on understanding of product development, and
  • A strong foundation in software and programming for engineering solutions.

Project Highlights

Throughout my studies, I actively pursued hands-on learning and research opportunities. Some key projects include:

COSIMA Student Competition – 1st Place Award

With a team of four, I developed a low-cost microfluidic point-of-care testing (POCT) device for at-home monitoring of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

This was conceptualized during the “Hands-on BioMEMS” seminar and later realized at KIT’s Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT).

(Project Poster, Website, Award Certificate, COSIMA19 Flyer)

Internship – Humanoid Robotics (KIT IAR)

Our team programmed Armar-6, a humanoid robot, using C++ and the ArmarX framework. The robot was trained to:

  • Navigate autonomously in a factory setting,
  • Avoid collisions,
  • Grasp and assemble parts correctly using motion planning and visual servoing.

Internship – Microfabrication project: Development and production of a microsystem

At KIT’s wbk Institute of Production Engineering, and in collaboration with ROSSWAG Engineering, we developed and implemented a concept to improve the efficiency of a generatively manufactured impeller. The approach involved boundary layer control using micro-blowout channels to reduce surface resistance, and was realized within the scope of a microfabrication project, involving:

  • Combination of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and micro-milling,
  • Micro-blowout channels for flow stabilization,
  • Objective: friction reduction, cooling, and self-cleaning.

Cyber-Glove Development (Virtual Reality internship – KIT-IMI)

We developed a sensor-equipped cyber-glove with custom-built electronics and transmission protocols to work inside a CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment).

Tasks included:

  • Hardware design (bending sensors, PCB, housing),
  • Wireless communication protocol optimization,
  • Arduino firmware development, and
  • Integration and testing of gesture-based VR control.

Current Role

I currently work as a Mechatronics Engineer in the Quality Management and Assurance (QMS) department at KIT, within the Project, Process, and Quality Management (PPQ) service unit. My role focuses on quality assurance and technical support for large-scale, interdisciplinary investment projects (each exceeding €2.5 million). I support these projects throughout all major phases:

  • Initiation Phase: Helping define quality requirements and ensuring compliance with relevant standards, laws, and regulations.
  • Planning Phase: Assisting in the specification of technical and quality requirements, and supporting procurement documents.
  • Execution Phase: Overseeing implementation through supplier audits, design reviews, and factory/site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT).
  • Final Phase: Ensuring comprehensive technical documentation and supporting commissioning.

Through this role, I work closely with engineering, procurement, and compliance teams, bridging disciplines to ensure technically sound and quality-driven project execution.

My Work Philosophy

I approach my work as an extension of how I live: with focus, care, and ethical responsibility. I strive to:

  • Stay present and purposeful in every task,
  • Act fairly and with integrity,
  • Maintain discipline in my craft, and
  • Embrace challenges with endurance and adaptability.

I see myself as part of a broader community—local and global—and try to contribute through meaningful, reasoned actions that serve others and build a better future. Growth, for me, is a daily pursuit of self-improvement, learning, and putting knowledge into practice.

Why I Built This Website

After completing my studies, I wanted to consolidate and showcase the work I’ve done across disciplines and domains. I dedicated months to deepening my knowledge in CAD, CAE, and programming by tackling complex technical problems and personal projects.

To bring it all together, I built this website from scratch—teaching myself HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Markdown, and Liquid along the way. It was a challenging but rewarding project that helped me grow beyond my comfort zone.

My hope is that this site can serve as a bridge:

  • For employers and collaborators to learn more about me and my capabilities,
  • And for fellow learners to find insights or inspiration through the projects I’ve shared.

Publications