Sergio Zerpa

9 Honeysuckle Road

Southampton England SO163HT

szerpadiaz@gmail.com

(+44) 7717463509

Summary
Specialist in Embedded Computing Systems looking for the opportunity to develop and
implement embedded systems in a international work environment where I can contribute
my knowledge and experience to produce efficient results and continue learning new skills.

Education
From: Sept 2013
To: Present

Master of Science in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS)

2nd Year: University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Dissertation: Estimation of the communication overhead of a multiple-FPGA Sparse
Matrix LU Factorisation Solver
Relevant teamwork project: Design of a Pulse Induction Metal Detector.
Responsible for the implementation of part of the digital design block (ADC and computer
interface) on a Xilinx FPGA using a model-based approach and tools such as: Verilog,
Modelsim, Simulink, Xilinx System Generator and Chipscope. Additional responsibilities:
development of initial tests with the MBED platform and signal processing in MATLAB.
Relevant modules: Digital System Design, EDA Principles and Practices.

From: Oct 2012

To: Sept 2013

From: Oct 2003

To: Aug 2009

1st Year: Technische Universitt Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Relevant modules: Real time systems, Embedded Systems Lab, Architecture of digital
systems, Wireless communications, Verification of digital systems, Synthesis of digital
systems.
Relevant teamwork project: Design a CAN controller and connect it to an OpenRISC
1200 processor implemented on a FPGA.
Reponsible for the hardware design of the CAN receiver module and part of the embedded software running on the processor fors tasks such as: handling switches and timer
interruptions, Read data from CAN bus and Display it on a LCD.

Bachelor of Science in Electronic engineering. (Cum laude)

National Experimental University (UNEXPO) Antonio Jos de Sucre. Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

Work Experience
From: Aug 2009
To: Jul 2012

Software development and Technical Support - Falcn, Venezuela.

VTELCA (Subsidiary of ZTE Corporation)
Developed innovative web applications and performed database administration tasks as
part of a team. Supervised the production lines assembling mobile phones, including:
Troubleshooting, installation and configuration of equipment and PC applications used
in the assembly, configuration and testing of mobile phones.

From: Feb 2009

To: May 2009

Industrial Trainee Engineer - Falcn, Venezuela.

PDVSA (Venezuelan Oil Company)
Analysed in detail the instrumentation and control modules of an Emergency Shutdown
System to generate a technical document that suggested improvements based on the
safety standards in the oil sector.
*This was part of my industrial training for my bachelor degree.

From: Oct 2005

To: May 2008

Tutoring modules: Linear Algebra, Electronics and Control Systems - Barquisimeto - Venezuela.
UNEXPO Antonio Jos de Sucre
Presented concepts and practical ideas to first year students taking those modules in a
classroom environment
*These were paid positions offered to me by the University during my bachelor studies.

Publications
Jan 2010

RIAI - www.revista-riai.org - Valencia, Spain.

Jun 2009

WebLABAI : Remote Laboratory for Industrial Automation. on Revista Iberoamericana

de Automtica e Informtica Industrial.
LACCEI - www.laccei.org - Tchira, Venezuela.
Public presentation of WebLABAI at The Seventh LACCEI.

Core Competencies
Hardware development platforms

FPGAs, Microcontrollers, PLCs

Languages

C, C++, Assembly language, PLC ladder diagram programming, Matlab, Simulink, SystemVerilog, VHDL, ModelSim, and Digital design
synthesis tools. Other languages: JAVA, PHP, MySQL, HTML

Databases

SQL Server, Microsoft Access

Skills for analysis, design and implementation of hardware-software solutions.

Able to learn programming languages and to adapt to development tools quickly.

Aditional courses
May 2012

Java Programming Course - Dublin, Ireland.

Given by The School of Computer Technology (20 hours).

Jun 2008

Industrial Communication Networks Course - Bogota, Colombia.

Given by Schneider Electric Training Center (40 hours).

Aug 2006

PIC microcontrollers Programming - Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

Given by UNEXPO university (40 hours). Barquisimeto, Lara.

May 2006

Basics of MATLAB.
Given by UNEXPO university (40 hours). Barquisimeto, Lara.

Awards
2013

EMECS Scholarship
Awarded to complete the Master programme in Embedded Computing Systems by the
EMECS consortium.

2009

Academic distinction
For having reached the highest GPA on the XXXV UNEXPO Engineering Graduating class.

2003

Academic distinction (Department of Mathematics)

Received a distinction for having reached the highest grade on the module Calculus I in
the Spring 2003 semester granted by the Department of Mathematics (UNEXPO).

Languages
Mother tongue Spanish Fluent English Conversational German Basic Mandarin
Interests and Activities
I enjoy going to the gym, playing table tennis, walking, cycling and sociable jogging with friends.
I also like reading Sci-fi and adventure books, cooking Venezuelan and Italian food for friends
and listening to Indi, Latin, Pop and Classical music among other music genres.
I like travelling and have lived in four countries; apart from my home country, Venezuela, I lived
in Dublin, Ireland for three months, Kaiserslautern, Germany for a year and presently I have
been in Southampton, England for a year. I have also visited many cities around the world;
Panama, Bogota, Edimburg, London, Bath, Bournemouth, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Malaga,
Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris, Nancy, Metz and Brussels.
I particularly enjoy learning new languages; my mother tongue is Spanish, I speak fluent English
and conversational German. I also learnt some Mandarin when I was working with Chinese
engineers in Venezuela and I would like to continue learning it in the near future.
I intend to take driving lessons when I am settle into a job.