Sihong Yan

Sihong Yan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF). His research focuses on multiphase and thermal fluids in hazardous atmospheric conditions (e.g., icing clouds, freezing drizzle, hailstones) and advanced vertical lift vehicles, including rotor aerodynamics and fluid-structure interactions. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University and a B.Sc. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Prior to UCF, he served as a postdoctoral scholar at Penn State’s and Georgia Tech’s Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence (VLRCOE) programs.

His work includes developing icing experiment techniques for eVTOL certification and studying aero-propulsive coupling in electric ducted fans. Awards include the First Place in the 41st Annual Student Design Competition (as Faculty Advisor), the Leonard J. LeVasser Scholarship, and the Best Paper Award in the 74th AHS Annual Forum’s Test and Evaluation Session.

Key research areas also encompass quantum computing for smart building controls, ventilation optimization in elevators, and thermal comfort models in automotive environments. His interdisciplinary approach bridges aerospace engineering, environmental science, and smart technology for aviation safety and sustainable systems.