David Gildfind

Dr David Gildfind is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, and an affiliate of the Centre for Hypersonics. He holds a PhD in Hypersonics from UQ and graduated with a B.A. in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University (2001).

Research Interests:

• Experimental hypersonics and scramjet propulsion
• Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) aerobraking for planetary entry
• Expansion tube facility development
• Aerothermodynamics of spacecraft atmospheric entry

Prominent Article Trends: His recent work focuses on MHD aerobraking for Mars and Venus entry missions, radiation mitigation in hypersonic flows, and expansion tube facility optimization. Publications highlight shock stand-off measurements, heat flux analysis, and turbulence-chemistry interactions.

Scientific Awards:

• ARC DECRA Fellowship (2017-2020)
• ARC Discovery Projects (2023-2025, 2025-2027)
• Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group grants
• Queensland Bavaria Collaborative Research Program

Supervision & Grants: Leads major ARC-funded projects on MHD heat shielding and aerobraking. Supervises PhD candidates in hypersonic flow control, spacecraft thermal protection, and atmospheric entry optimization, collaborating with experts like Professor Vincent Wheatley and Dr. Christopher James.

Labs & Teams: Works at UQ's Centre for Hypersonics and contributed to the T6 Stalker Tunnel commissioning. Collaborates internationally with institutions in Australia, Singapore, and the Netherlands.