Stephen T. McClain

Stephen T. McClain is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University, with a research focus on in-flight ice accretion, gas turbine blade aerodynamics, uncertainty analysis, and experimental techniques. He holds a Ph.D. and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University (2002, 1997) and a BSME from the University of Memphis (1995).

His research spans ice accretion modeling for aircraft safety, additive manufacturing roughness in turbine cooling channels, cold-soaked fuel frost analysis, and biomimetic hair sensors for gust mitigation. Collaborative projects with NASA, the Air Force, and the FAA address aviation safety, turbine efficiency, and fluid dynamics challenges.

Recent publications emphasize additive manufacturing roughness, frost evolution in cold climates, and microwave systems for water collection efficiency. These works fall under broad keywords like Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Fluid Dynamics, with sub-fields including Turbulent Flow Modeling, Surface Roughness, and Phase Change.

Scientific awards include the 2007 W. M. Rohsenow Award for gas-turbine heat transfer and the 2004 ASEE Best Paper Award for innovative teaching. He has mentored 25+ graduate students and led the development of facilities like the Baylor Frost Tunnel and Climatic Chamber Aviation Frost Facility (CAFF).

Notable grants include NASA Cooperative Agreement NNX12AB85A and FAA Agreement 17-G-011. His work integrates experimental, computational, and educational initiatives, reflecting his dual role as a researcher and educator.