Resume

• 2008

  PhD

  Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

  Michigan Technological University

• 2007

  MS

  Mechanical Engineering

  Michigan Technological University

• 2003

  Bachelor of Arts

  Physics

  Mathematics

  Illinois Wesleyan University

• Research

  Heat Transfer

  Fluid Mechanics

  Mathematica

  Finite Element Analysis

  CFD

  Matlab

  Thermodynamics

  Simulink

  LaTeX

  Labview

  Johnson

  Northwestern University

  University of Chicago

  Michigan Technological University

  Illinois Wesleyan University

  Michigan Technological University

  Graduate Research Assistant

  \tIntegrated a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded combustion research laboratory containing a constant volume high pressure vessel with optical access to study fundamental spray

  homogenous and diffusion combustion aspects

  and emissions of conventional and alternative fuels. \n\tSpecified and integrated equipment for laboratory functionality including nitrogen generation

  gas mixing

  system control including monitoring and data acquisition.\n\tAs the lead graduate student in the laboratory

  developed solid leadership skills by mentoring an undergraduate student as well as several fellow graduate students in their research work in addition to ensuring efficient and safe laboratory use. \n\tIntegrated and assimilated optical and laser diagnostics

  including high speed imaging techniques for characterizing fuel sprays. \n\tPreformed chemical kinetics modeling of the combustion vessel experimental procedure to understand the impact of the use of the thermodynamic state generation process and the generated minor species on diesel autoignition. \n\tBroadly disseminated results to industrial partners (Ford

  E3)

  collaborating institutions (Sandia National Laboratory and others as part of the international Engine Combustion Network initiative). Published results in well-known conference proceedings and journals

  improving communication skills. \n\tUndertook work for various industrial sponsors including Ford (diesel spray characterization) and E3 (spark ignition and flame kernel imaging)

  consisting of test and optical diagnostics development and experimental testing in addition to results and image processing

  compilation and documentation.

  Michigan Technological University

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  \tPerformed physics research in the area of magneto-optics and laser applications. \n\tConstructed an apparatus to investigate Faraday rotation in AC magnetic fields which was used to measure Verdet constants of water

  ethyl alcohol and flint glass to understand the impact of magnetic field frequencies on the rotation of the polarization plane of light. \n\tPrepared a poster presentation detailing findings for the John Wesley Powell research conference at IWU in spring 2006 titled

  ‘Investigating Faraday Rotation Using Alternating Current Magnetic Fields’.

  Illinois Wesleyan University

  Graduate Teaching Assistant

  \tTeaching assistant for graduate students enrolled in the Sustainable Futures-I course.\n\tInstructed and assisted students on the use of SimaPro software

  focusing on life cycle assessments. \n\tGraded students’ homework providing insightful comments on means of improvement and concept applicability.

  Michigan Technological University

  NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates

  Project title was Fabrication of Random and Periodic Silica Microstructures for Optical Measurements. Produced random samples of microstructures for use with lasers to quantify light propagation and scattering

  and fabricated monodisperse silica spheres to grow crystals resembling opals with a periodic structure.

  Northwestern University

  NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates

  Project was the Simulation and Analysis of Calibrator Signals and Cosmic Ray Strikes in South Pole Telescope data. Improved accuracy of telescope simulations by adding glitches induced by cosmic ray strikes and the behavior of the detector response function. Analyzed simulated data using IDL programming language to develop processing techniques for identifying cosmic ray spikes in data and methods to use calibrator signals for extracting detector time constants to enable the removal of the detector response from the data.

  University of Chicago

  Illinois Wesleyan University

  Tutor for undergraduate entry level physics courses. As a teaching assistant

  helped with laboratory setup and directed course labs for undergraduate physics 1 and physics 2 courses. Work included directing lab

  running experiments and grading and providing constructive feedback to students.

  Tutor / Teaching Assistant

  Bloomington/Normal

  Illinois Area

  Houghton

  MI

  Instructor for various mechanical engineering courses including undergraduate Energy ThermoFluids 1 (Thermodynamics)

  Fluid Mechanics

  Heat Transfer

  Internal Combustion Engines and Graduate level Advanced Thermodynamics and Internal Combustion Engines. Class sizes range from 35 - 85 students. \n\nDirector of the Mechanical Engineering Learning Center

  which provides tutoring to undergraduate students in core mechanical engineering courses. Responsibilities include hiring coaches

  overseeing coaches and learning center operation

  and developing center capabilities including technical writing assistance and tutoring with new practice based lab courses. \n\nAdvised senior design teams in the Mechanical Engineering Senior Capstone Design program

  working with four teams per semester as a primary faculty adviser

  and assisting others as the topical expert in the Energy Thermo Fluids area. Projects range from aquatic fitness tool design and prototyping

  to engine intake manifold design and heat stress prevention kits. \n\nFaculty coordinator for the Energy Laboratory which runs concurrently with the undergraduate Fluid Mechanics course with responsibilities including coordinating and overseeing laboratory experiments and Teaching Assistants.

  Lecturer

  Michigan Technological University

  Houghton

  MI

  Post-Doc Associate from August 2011 - December 2012. \n\nInstructor for numerous mechanical engineering courses including undergraduate Statics

  Mechanics of Materials

  Dynamics

  Fluid Mechanics and Dynamic Systems and Controls

  in addition to graduate level Advanced Thermodynamics and Internal Combustion Engines. Developed and disseminated lectures

  hosted office hours for student mentoring

  prepared and graded student assessment materials

  and new course preparation. \n\nAs a research engineer

  led research in the Combustion Vessel research laboratory

  which includes an optically accessible combustion vessel that can simulate and replicate engine conditions for fundamental spray and combustion studies. Responsibilities included mentoring and guiding graduate and undergraduate students

  completing experimental studies in diesel spray and combustion characteristics for industrial partners with some work on spark ignition characterization

  integrated and developed optical diagnostics

  undertook thermodynamic and combustion modeling and simulation in conjunction with experimental testing

  prepared technical proposals for industrial and federal sponsors for research funding

  developed and integrated a new optically accessible pressure vessel for low temperature fuel ignition energy studies

  and analyzed and interpreted data for progress reports and publications

  among other responsibilities including safety

  budget monitoring and outreach coordination.

  Research Engineer / Instructor

  Michigan Technological University

  English

  French

  MEEM Teacher of the Year Nominee

  Nominated for ME-EM Teacher of the Year at Michigan Technological University for 2014-2015 academic year; 1 of 3 nominees

  Michigan Technological University

  MEEM Teacher of the Year Nominee

  Nominated for ME-EM Teacher of the Year at Michigan Technological University for 2013-2014 academic year; 1 of 3 nominees

  Michigan Technological University

  SAE Excellence in Oral Presentation

  Recipient of the 2013 SAE Excellence in Oral Presentation for presentation titled Investigation of Key Mechanism for Liquid Length Fluctuations in Transient Vaporizing Diesel Sprays Using Experimental Results and CFD Modeling at SAE World Congress in April 2013.

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  Teaching Evaluation Excellence

  Recognition from the Michigan Technological University Provost for being in the top 10% of faculty based on student evaluation results for Fall 2014 Semester (MEEM 3210 Undergraduate Fluid Mechanics)

  Michigan Technological University