Leonardo Soto Hernandez: From AI Models to Drone Repairs
Student success is built through real-world experience, innovation, and a commitment to solving complex problems. Originally from Douglas, Arizona and a transfer from Cochise Community College, Leonardo Adrian Soto Hernandez is now a junior at the U of A majoring in Cyber Operations with an emphasis in Engineering. As a student worker with CyVerse, he works closely with advanced systems and contributes to projects that address real challenges. Through the Data Science Institute’s AI Zone, he helps make AI accessible through interactive demonstrations. He is supported by Edwin Skidmore, his supervisor at CyVerse, and Nirav Merchant, Director of the Data Science Institute, who created the AI Zone as a platform for hands-on learning and public engagement.
Soto Hernandez chose to attend the University of Arizona because of its leading cybersecurity program and for opportunities for real-world experience. As a CyVerse student worker, he initially handled traditional tasks like reprovisioning, upgrading, and configuring servers and played an important role in supporting infrastructure, solving hardware issues, and writing code to improve system reliability. He then became the subject matter expert with the AI Zone which is designed to make AI more accessible through hands-on demonstrations. While he prepared these demonstrations, his understanding of AI technologies deepened and he better defined his ability to explain complex topics clearly to diverse audiences including professors, students, farmers, and more.
Photo by Deanna Rodriguez
Soto Hernandez has presented AI Zone demonstrations at a variety of events across campus and in the community, including the AgTech conference, Sahuarita High School student tour, Love Your Data Day mall pop-up, a U of A Honors College seminar tour, and Behind BIO5 open house. The audience sizes has ranged from small classroom to too busy and too many to count. He engages his audiences by first asking, “What do you know about AI?” which allows him to adjust each demonstration to fit their experience levels. His presentations combine visuals and interactive elements to connect abstract AI concepts with real-world applications.
In many ways his presentations have already created meaningful results. He recalls the instance when he helped a U of A professor adapt the AI Zone segmentation model for his research. The professor learned how to use machine learning to automate counting legumes. What began as a demonstration turned into a practical solution for research efficiency.
In addition to his AI Zone work, Soto Hernandez has taken on the complex task of restoring a drone for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The main drone that needs repairing spans nine feet across, while the other, a scaled replica, measures about a third of the size. He notes that it is easier to work on the smaller drone and transfer the changes to the larger drone. The project involves diagnosing mechanical failures, sourcing and installing replacement motors, recalibrating flight control systems, and troubleshooting electrical and communication issues critical to safe flight. The repairs require methodical testing and verification to ensure the drone, when fully repaired, meets operational standards.
Alongside the physical repairs on the drone, Soto Hernandez creates thorough technical documentation that outlines each procedure like system diagrams, calibration settings, and troubleshooting protocols. His detailed records not only support immediate repair needs, but they will also serve as a long-term technical reference for the agency’s future maintenance and training efforts with the drone. The scale and complexity of the work demand precision, patience, and a high level of technical skill, all of which Soto Hernandez delivers.
At CyVerse, Soto Hernandez continues to take on new challenges with server upgrades and future AI Zone demonstrations. His work demonstrates a commitment to making technology understandable and useful, whether by restoring advanced drones or breaking down AI concepts for new learners. Through every task, Soto Hernandez shows how student employees can drive innovation and valuable solutions for the broader research community with advanced AI technology to real-world problems.