2013 Graduates

Name: Erik Axdahl
University/Date: Georgia Institute of Technology, December 2013
Degree: PhD in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Alan Wilhite
Thesis Topic: A Study of Premixed, Shock-Induced Combustion with Application to Hyperveloctity Flight
Present Position: Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion Branch, NASA’s Langley Research Center

Name: Brett Bathel
University/Date: University of Virginia, August 2013
Degree: PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Christopher Goyne
Thesis Topic: Application of Molecular Tagging Yelocimetry to Study Laminar Flow and Laminar-to-Turbulent Transition in Hypersonic Boundary
Present Position:

Name: Sean Currey
University/Date: Georgia Institute of Technology, May 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Alan Wilhite
Thesis Topic: Optimum Thrust to Weight Ratio for an Earth Departure Stage Using Particle Swarm Optimization
Present Position: Thermal Dynamics, SpaceX, California

Name: John Gregory
University/Date: Old Dominion University, August 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Colin Britcher
Thesis Topic: Design Advantages of Skin Friction Drag Reduction Using Riblets
Present Position: Engineer, Defense Contract Management Agency, Connecticut and PhD Candidate, Colorado State Unviersity

Name: Michelle Jones
University/Date: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, May 2013
Degree: ME in Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Walter O’Brient
Thesis Topic: Turbomachinery and Thermodynamics
Present Position: Aerothermodynamics Branch, NASA’s Langley Research Center

Name: Ben Phillips
University/Date: Old Dominion University, December 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Colin Britcher
Thesis Topic: “New Test Capabilities for the 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Wind Tunnel”
Present Position: Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch, NASA’s Langley Research Center

Name: Derek Liechty
University/Date: University of Maryland, May 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Mark Lewis
Thesis Topic: 
Present Position: NASA’s Langley Research Center

Name: Michael Polanco
University/Date: Old Dominion University, December 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Sebastian Bawab
Thesis Topic: Examination of Micromotion-Induced Transient Effects of Brain Tissue Interfaced with a Neural Probe
Present Position: Eagle Technologies, LLC, Newport News, Virginia

Name: Eric Ragan
University/Date: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Degree: PhD in Computer Science
Advisors: Dr. Doug Bowman and Dr. Kathryn Logan
Thesis Topic: Supporting Learning Through Spatial Information Presentations in Virtual Environments
Present Position: Research Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Name: Shane Seaman
University/Date: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, May 2013
Degree: ME in Electrical Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Randy Heflin
Thesis Topic: Earth Observation Satellite Optical System Design
Present Position: PhD Candidate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Name: Matthew Smith
University/Date: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, December 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Christopher Fuller
Thesis Topic: 
Present Position: Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, The Boeing Company

Name: Kurt Swieringa
University/Date: Georgia Institute of Technology, May 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Amy Pritchett
Thesis Topic: 
Present Position: NASA’s Langley Research Center

Name: Mark Thornblom
University/Date: University of Maryland, May 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. David Akin
Thesis Topic: 
Present Position:

Name: Jake Tynis
University/Date: Old Dominion University, May 2013
Degree: MS in Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Robert Ash
Thesis Topic: 
Present Position: Engineer, Schafer Corporation