Dr Vasudevan Kanjirakkad is an Associate Professor in Thermo-fluid Mechanics at the School of Engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex . He is a member of the Thermo-fluid Mechanics Research Centre (TFMRC) , focusing on aerothermal design and analysis of gas turbine components. His expertise spans high-pressure turbine rim-sealing, flow transition in compressors, heat transfer in rotor cavities, and stall margin improvement techniques. Specializes in gas turbine technology and renewable energy systems Teaches Engineering Thermodynamics and Advanced Turbomachinery Led industry-funded projects on compressor disc cavities and rim-seal aerothermal mechanisms Recipient of Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (2014)
Dirk Martin Luchtenburg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Cooper Union, holding the C. V. Starr Distinguished Professorship of Engineering. He leads the Dynamics and Control Lab, where undergraduate students design model-based controllers for smart vehicles such as quadcopters and ground robots. His research spans fluid mechanics, dynamics, and control systems, with applications in active flow control, nonlinear aerodynamics, and robotics. Education: He earned his MS in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) and his PhD in Fluid Mechanics from TU Berlin. He held postdoctoral and lecturing roles at Princeton University before joining Cooper Union in 2013 as a research fellow, becoming a full-time faculty member in 2015. Key Research Areas: Fluid flows, feedback control, robotics, and model reduction. Applications: Active flow control, nonlinear stall models, and smart vehicle control. Recent work includes gyroscopic control of robotic systems, dynamic mode decomposition for complex systems, and compliant leg designs for robotic landings. His lab emphasizes hands-on student involvement in cutting-edge projects. Awards: C. V. Starr Distinguished Professor of Engineering (2023) Ben-Gurion University Summer Research Fellowship (2025) Grants & Advising: Co-authored papers with students, including David Shekhtman and Yeeho Song. Received the 2021 Educational Innovation Grant. Mentors undergraduates in the Dynamics and Control Lab, focusing on robotics and fluid dynamics research. Labs & Collaborations: Cooper Dynamics and Control Lab. Collaborations include work on plasma blasters and participation in conferences like ASME and ICRA.
Michał Frant is an Assistant Professor at the Military University of Technology, specializing in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), jet engine intake systems, and the aerodynamic characteristics of missiles, UAVs, and aircraft. He has authored 27 publications, supervised 13 promoted theses, and led 4 research projects. His work emphasizes turbulence modeling, ground effect analysis, and propulsion-aerodynamics integration in defense and aerospace applications. Research Interests: Dr. Frant’s expertise spans experimental and numerical studies in aerodynamics, including intake vortex dynamics, missile design optimization, and airborne launch platforms for space operations. His CFD-driven approaches address complex flow phenomena such as gust effects, blade cascade flows, and asymmetric/symmetric flow conditions. Key Achievements: With an h-index of 3 (Scopus/WoS), his work bridges theoretical fluid dynamics and practical applications in defense technology. Notable projects include analyzing intake system stability under flow throttling and investigating composite materials for aerial targets. He has also explored the repurposing of decommissioned fighters as space launch platforms. Advising & Grants: Having mentored 13 thesis students, his academic contributions extend to training future engineers in CFD and experimental aerodynamics. His 4 research projects likely involve collaborations with defense industries and military institutions, focusing on advanced propulsion systems and UAV design. Labs/Teams: While specific lab affiliations are not detailed, his work aligns with the university’s aerospace and mechanical engineering departments, leveraging wind tunnel facilities and computational resources for aerodynamic testing.
Dr. Chris J. Nicholls is a Senior Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow at Trinity College, University of Oxford, affiliated with the Oxford Thermofluids Institute. He holds a DPhil in Active Flow Control from Lincoln College (2016) and an MEng from Hertford College (2016). His research bridges fluid mechanics and control theory, focusing on fluidic devices, acoustically-excited flows, and aerodynamic control. Notable projects include fluidic oscillator development for aerospace applications, boundary layer control in wind tunnel experiments, and hydrogen-fuelled aviation technologies through the £31.4M Liquid Hydrogen Gas Turbine (LH2GT) project. He collaborates with industry partners like Rolls-Royce and Reaction Engines. Current projects involve acoustic modulation of fluid jets, stall prevention via flow injection, and sensor-integrated fluidic oscillators. He contributes to the Active Flow Control Group and Thermal Propulsion Systems initiatives. Recent work explores closed-loop control methodologies and nonlinear flight control systems for tiltwing VTOL aircraft. Affiliated with multiple colleges (Pembroke, St Catherine’s, Trinity, Jesus College), his work addresses challenges in thermal propulsion and zero-carbon aviation. Publications span Physics of Fluids , AIAA Journal , and other journals/conferences, emphasizing analytical modeling and experimental validation of fluid dynamics phenomena.
Dr. Takafumi Nishino is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He holds a BEng and MEng from Kyoto University and a PhD in Aerodynamics from the University of Southampton. His career includes a NASA Postdoctoral fellowship (2007-2010), postdoc roles in Oxford, and a Lectureship at Cranfield University before joining Oxford permanently. His research focuses on theoretical fluid mechanics and offshore renewable energy, particularly wind and tidal-stream energy systems. Key achievements include developing multi-scale flow models for tidal turbines and extending these to wind farms through collaborations with the UK Met Office. Research interests include wind farm aerodynamics, turbine wake dynamics, two-scale momentum theory, and vortex instability control. He leads the Flow Physics and Modelling Group and contributes to the Multi-Wind project addressing large-scale wind energy challenges. Awards include the NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship and Osborne Reynolds PhD Competition Finalist recognition. Current work emphasizes coupled turbine/farm optimization using hybrid momentum-theory/NWP models. He also investigates fundamental fluid dynamics phenomena like boundary layer transitions and stall mechanisms in aero/hydrofoils.
Timothy Takahashi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), where he contributes to graduate engineering education and advanced aerospace research. He previously served as Professor of Practice at Arizona State University for 13 years and has held engineering and legal roles at NASA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Mechanical & Aerospace Sciences and a J.D. in Law, both from Santa Clara University and the University of Rochester, respectively. His dual expertise enables a unique integration of engineering and regulatory perspectives in his work. Dr. Takahashi's research focuses on aircraft performance, aerodynamic design, flying qualities, and the regulatory challenges of unmanned aircraft systems. He has developed methodologies for conceptual aircraft design, performance optimization, and safety analysis, with applications in both military and commercial aviation. His work often bridges engineering and legal frameworks, particularly in drone regulation and certification standards. His publications include two-volume books on Aircraft Performance & Sizing and nearly 200 archival conference papers. A recent trend in his research involves historical reassessments of classic aircraft (e.g., Bell X-1, Avro CF-105) using modern analytical tools, alongside studies on supersonic transport, transonic aerodynamics, and flight safety. Bronze Award for Best Written Paper, Royal Aeronautical Society, 2023 Associate Fellow, AIAA Member, Phi Beta Kappa Member, Tau Beta Pi He has advised numerous graduate students on thesis projects in aircraft design, performance modeling, and multidisciplinary optimization. His work has been supported by collaborations with industry and government agencies. He is actively involved in the AIAA Aircraft Design and History Technical Committees and has contributed to the development of educational curricula in aerospace engineering.
Dr. Michael Candon is a Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, specializing in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics. His work focuses on aeroelasticity, nonlinear systems, and computational methods for predicting structural behavior under unsteady flow conditions. Key research areas include shock buffet analysis, freeplay nonlinearity, and model reduction techniques. Candon's recent contributions involve developing Python-based fluid-structure interaction tools and data-driven approaches for real-time trajectory prediction. He holds a strong publication record in transonic aeroelastic systems and has collaborated on projects involving store release certification and turbulence modeling.
Mehmet Sahin is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), where he specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and numerical methods. His research focuses on advanced algorithms for fluid flow simulations, including the HEMLAB Algorithm, Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) methods, and anisotropic mesh adaptation. He leads projects funded by TUBITAK and BAP, addressing challenges in compressible flows, multiphase dynamics, and aerospace applications. Key research areas include numerical simulation of aerodynamic configurations (e.g., rotorcraft, high-lift systems), fluid-structure interaction (FSI), and parallel computing for large-scale problems. His work spans aerospace engineering, biomedical applications (e.g., cerebral aneurysm modeling), and fundamental fluid dynamics studies, such as flow around biological organisms like Drosophila. Sahin has developed open-source tools and collaborated on international standards like the AIAA and JAXA high-lift prediction benchmarks. Notable contributions include the HEMLAB Algorithm for CFD, advancements in mass-conserving ALE formulations for multiphase flows, and scalable parallel solvers. His projects emphasize algorithm robustness, high-fidelity simulation, and real-world applications in aviation and biomedical engineering.
Sohaib Obeid serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering within the College of Engineering, Business & Education at the University of Bridgeport. His office is located in the Engineering & Technology Building, Room #133, and he can be contacted at sobeid@bridgeport.edu. His academic credentials include: B.Sc. in aerospace engineering from the Military Technical College, Egypt M.Sc. in aerospace engineering from the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the University of Khartoum, Sudan DET in fluids and transfers from Ecole Nationale Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l’ espace, Toulouse, France Ph.D. in Mechanical engineering from Clarkson University, USA Dr. Obeid's research spans aerospace engineering, fluid dynamics, and computational methods with significant contributions to aerodynamic performance analysis, active flow control systems, and environmental fluid dynamics. His work integrates theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, and experimental validation to address challenges in aviation and public health. He maintains active research interests in RANS simulations, NARMAX-based control algorithms for airfoil flow separation, and the transport dynamics of respiratory aerosols in indoor environments. His interdisciplinary approach bridges traditional aerospace engineering with contemporary public health concerns, particularly in airborne disease transmission. Analysis of his publication record reveals a clear evolution from fundamental aerospace applications toward interdisciplinary environmental health research. Early work focused on aerodynamic optimization of airfoils and turbomachinery using computational fluid dynamics, while recent publications demonstrate increasing engagement with public health applications through aerosol transport modeling. This trajectory reflects growing recognition of fluid dynamics' role in understanding disease transmission pathways. No scientific awards are documented in the available profile information. Details regarding student advising, research grants, or sponsored projects are not specified in the current profile. His professional background includes service as an Aerospace Engineer at airbases in Sudan and Ethiopia, research positions across nine countries (Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, France, Brazil, South Korea, and the USA), and faculty appointments at institutions in Sudan, France, and the United States. Information about specific laboratories, research teams, or collaborative initiatives is not provided in the available materials.
Mehmet Hanifi Doğru is an Associate Professor at Gaziantep University, Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautics, Department of Pilotage. He has been serving in this position since 2020, following his appointment as Doctor Lecturer (2016-2020) and Lecturer (2014-2016) at the same institution. Prior to that, he worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Gaziantep University's Faculty of Engineering (2011-2014). Dr. Doğru has held significant administrative roles including Department Chair (2016, 2018-2019, 2020) and Vice Dean (2016) at Gaziantep University. He is also a member of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers since 2009. His educational background includes: Doctorate (2012-2015) from Gaziantep University, Institute of Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering Master's degree (2008-2012) from Gaziantep University, Institute of Science, Mechanical Engineering (With Thesis) Bachelor's degree (2004-2008) from Atatürk University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Doğru's research spans multiple areas in aerospace engineering and materials science. His primary focus is on composite materials, particularly their behavior under ballistic impact and various loading conditions. He has conducted extensive research on aerodynamics, including airfoil optimization, morphing wings, and VTOL aircraft design. His work also encompasses structural analysis of aircraft components, rotorcraft design, and propulsion systems. His approach typically combines experimental testing with computational analysis to address complex engineering problems. His publication record shows a strong emphasis on practical applications of aerospace engineering principles. Recent works focus on improving the performance of composite materials for aerospace applications, optimizing aircraft components for better aerodynamic efficiency, and developing control systems for VTOL aircraft. His research often bridges theoretical concepts with practical implementation, demonstrating a commitment to real-world engineering solutions. Dr. Doğru has received several academic awards: 2017 Best Reviewer Award from Osmaniye Korkut ATA University 2017 Best Presentation Award from Selçuk University 2017 Best Paper Award from Selçuk University As an advisor, Dr. Doğru has supervised 14 master's theses on diverse topics including single-seat aircraft design, VTOL systems, rotorcraft design, composite structures, and missile aerodynamics. His teaching portfolio includes courses on rotorcraft design, computer programming (C and Matlab), and statics. He has led three research projects related to projectile impact analysis and multicopter design and control. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to both theoretical understanding and practical application in aerospace engineering. Dr. Doğru is a prolific inventor with 13 patents to his name, primarily focused on aircraft components, landing gear systems, and rotor designs. His patent portfolio includes innovations in thermal fatigue devices, cervical dislocators, wing profiles, walking orthoses, ducted fan systems, and specialized landing gear for various aircraft types. These inventions reflect his comprehensive understanding of aerospace engineering challenges and his ability to develop innovative solutions.
Themistoklis P. Sapsis is the William I. Koch Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering at MIT, affiliated with the Schwarzman College of Computing. He serves as Director of the Center for Ocean Engineering and Associate Director of MIT Sea Grant. His research focuses on nonlinear dynamical systems, probabilistic modeling, and data-driven methods applied to fluid flows, ocean engineering, and extreme events. Notable roles include editorial positions at journals such as Journal of Nonlinear Science and SIAM/ASA Journal of Uncertainty Quantification . Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2006–2011) Diploma in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (2001–2005) Research Interests: Sapsis’ work bridges nonlinear dynamics, probability, and machine learning to predict extreme events in complex systems such as turbulent flows, nonlinear waves, and ship motions. His methods emphasize statistical quantification and optimization of systems with transient features. Awards and Honors: Bodossaki Award on Basic Sciences: Mathematics (2021) Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (DoD, Applied Mathematics) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2015) Three Department of Defense Young Investigator Awards (Navy, Army, Air Force) Multiple career development chairs at MIT Grants and Advising: Sapsis has secured funding for projects on climate modeling, ocean engineering, and machine learning applications. His advising includes collaborations on reduced-order models and extreme event prediction. He leads the Stochastic Analysis and Nonlinear Dynamics (SAND) Lab at MIT. Labs and Teams: The SAND Lab focuses on integrating data-driven methods with physical models to address challenges in fluid mechanics, climate science, and ocean engineering. Collaborations span academia and industry, emphasizing real-world applications of predictive modeling.
Dr. Sam Grimshaw is a Senior Research Fellow at the Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge, specializing in turbomachinery research with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Reaction Engines. His work bridges industrial gas turbine optimization, electric aircraft propulsion, and advanced measurement techniques. He contributes to undergraduate mathematics and compressible flow supervisions at Girton College. Research Focus: Compressor aerodynamics and bleed system efficiency Stall inception mechanisms in axial compressors Electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) aircraft design Innovative pneumatic probe development for non-uniform flow fields Scientific Recognition: Three-time ASME Best Paper Award recipient (2014, 2016, 2017) Lead author in 15+ high-impact publications on turbomachinery systems Educational Contributions: Supervises 4th Year Masters students Develops international research opportunities through Clifton Scientific Trust programs Mentors PhD projects on cricket ball aerodynamics and turbomachinery
Nicole Key holds the Avrum and Joyce Gray Professorship in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and serves as Associate Head for Graduate Studies at Purdue University's West Lafayette School of Mechanical Engineering. She is also a Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics (by courtesy). Her research focuses on aerothermal aspects of turbomachinery, axial/radial compressor performance, and experimental fluid mechanics. Key earned her B.S., M.S.E., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2000, 2002, and 2007, respectively. Her notable contributions include pioneering work on centrifugal impeller design, blade row interaction effects, and stall inception in compressors. She leads the High Speed Compressor Research group and has authored over 10 influential papers in journals like ASME Journal of Turbomachinery and AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power. Awards: ASME Fellow (2017), ISABE Best Paper Award (2016), ASME Turbo Expo Best Paper Award (2016), and 17+ other accolades. Grants: Active in securing funding for propulsion and turbomachinery research. Labs/Teams: Directs the High Speed Compressor Research laboratory at Purdue.
Edward M. Greitzer is the H. N. Slater Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has served in multiple leadership roles including Interim Department Head (2018), Founding MIT Pillar Head for the Engineering Product Development Pillar at Singapore University of Technology and Design (2009-2016), and Director of the Gas Turbine Laboratory (1986-1996). His research spans gas turbines, turbomachinery, propulsion system-airframe integration, active control of fluid systems, and vortex flows, with significant contributions to industry-university collaboration initiatives. Education: B.A. in Physics, Harvard College, 1962 M.S. in Engineering, Harvard University, 1964 Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Harvard University, 1970 Dr. Greitzer's research focuses on fundamental and applied fluid dynamics in propulsion systems, particularly compressor instabilities (surge and rotating stall), boundary layer phenomena, and aeromechanical control systems. His work bridges theoretical fluid mechanics with practical engineering applications, emphasizing industry-academia partnerships. He pioneered research on active stall control, boundary layer ingestion for aircraft efficiency, and surface waviness effects on fan performance. His leadership in the Cambridge-MIT Silent Aircraft Initiative and NASA-sponsored D8 "double-bubble" aircraft project demonstrates his commitment to sustainable aviation solutions. The integration of experimental methods with computational modeling remains central to his approach, as reflected in his seminal textbook Internal Flow: Concepts and Applications . His publication record shows consistent focus on turbomachinery fundamentals evolving toward system-level integration and environmental impact reduction. Recent work (2015-2022) emphasizes boundary layer control, surface imperfection effects, and propulsion-airframe integration for next-generation aircraft, indicating sustained relevance in addressing aerospace efficiency challenges. Awards and Honors: National Academy of Engineering Member AIAA Honorary Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering International Fellow US Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award ASME R. Tom Sawyer Award Four-time ASME Gas Turbine Award recipient MIT Everett Moore Baker Teaching Award ASME Freeman Scholar Award Dr. Greitzer has secured significant research funding through NASA-sponsored projects (including the D8 "double-bubble" aircraft) and industry partnerships via the Gas Turbine Laboratory. His advising philosophy emphasizes hands-on experimental projects and close mentorship, reflected in his two-time receipt of departmental teaching awards. He has trained numerous engineers through MIT's graduate programs and industry collaborations, with research supported by NASA, the US Air Force, and major aerospace corporations. His industry-university collaboration framework has become a model for technology transfer in propulsion research. He founded and directed MIT's Gas Turbine Laboratory, establishing it as a premier research hub for turbomachinery and propulsion systems. The lab fostered deep partnerships with Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and other industry leaders, facilitating joint research on compressor stability, novel aircraft configurations, and sustainable propulsion technologies. His leadership in the Singapore University of Technology and Design initiative extended this collaborative model internationally.
Dr. Xiong Liu is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong's School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), particularly in areas such as CO2 pipeline safety, gas decompression modeling, wind turbine dynamics, and environmental risk assessment. He specializes in analyzing fluid flow, heat, and mass transfer phenomena using advanced computational methods. Dr. Liu's work combines experimental studies with numerical simulations to address challenges in energy systems, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen-natural gas mixtures, and wind energy infrastructure. He has contributed to projects like the CO2Safe-Arrest full-scale pipeline burst tests and studies on dynamic stall effects in wind turbines. His research interests span CFD modeling of gas dynamics, quantitative risk assessment for industrial pipelines, and the environmental consequences of gas releases. He actively supervises postgraduate students in relevant fields and collaborates on international projects. Notable outputs include studies on CO2 dispersion patterns, pipeline failure consequences, and turbine blade aerodynamics.
