What is your role within the George H.W. Bush Combat development Complex?
My role within BCDC includes performing high-fidelity CFD computations directed towards the design and analysis of hypersonic systems (within the technology area of Turbulence and Transition Modeling and Validation for Hypersonic Vehicles). This includes a focus on surface heating and boundary-layer stability for various representative configurations.
Do you have other roles at Texas A&M University?
I am also a member of the Computational Stability and Transition (CST) Laboratory at Texas A&M University and work with the Aerospace Engineering department.
Previous education?
Bachelor of Science, Texas A&M University, Aerospace Engineering
“I’ve always wanted to see something that I have worked on reach the stage where it gets utilized in a real-world setting, and being a part of BCDC has helped me to accomplish that.”
Doctor of Philosophy, Texas A&M University, Aerospace Engineering
Where are you from?
San Antonio, TX
What is a project or accomplishment you’re proud of?
Since the beginning of my graduate program, I have been helping to develop a software (called EPIC) that can help identify and evaluate the amplification of instability mechanisms that can cause a boundary layer to transition from laminar to turbulent flow. This code has now been distributed to the Army for use in the evaluation of relevant geometries.
What are your goals within BCDC?
My goals within BCDC are to help expand the range of existing testing and evaluation capabilities available in the field of hypersonics. Additionally, I seek to enhance the design cycle of hypervelocity geometries by developing tools to reduce uncertainty in flowfield behavior and improve design iteration speed.
How did you get to the BCDC?
The BCDC began taking shape right as I neared the end of my graduate program, and I saw joining as a perfect opportunity to continue to expand my knowledge and work in a field I truly enjoy. It also presented a situation where I could smoothly transition my past years of academic learnings to real world applications.
How long have you been at A&M? At BCDC?
I have been at Texas A&M for around 12.5 years and a part of BCDC for around 1.5 years.
Why are you interested in high-speed fluid dynamics?
My interest in high-speed fluid dynamics first stemmed from a set of classes that I took during my undergraduate coursework at Texas A&M. After discovering that I wanted to learn more about this topic area, I was fortunate enough to get the chance to begin undergraduate research with one of those professors (Dr. Helen Reed). The rest is history!