Please help us congratulate our outstanding students:
De'Ajree Branch, a Ph.D. graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, plays a pivotal role in developing an innovative underwater system titled "Bio-Inspired Renewable Energy (BIRE) for Highly-Efficient Low-cost Riverine Hydrokinetics." Led by Prof. Hilary Bart-Smith, the SHARKS program involves multiple institutions. De'Ajree's research focuses on extracting energy from rivers using oscillating hydrofoils. Her remarkable achievements include the 2023 Outstanding Graduate Leadership and Diversity Award, Inclusive Excellence Fellowship, SREB Doctoral Scholarship, NREL GEM Fellowship, and various leadership roles such as Graduate Program Coordinator for MOCHA/WOCHA, MAE Graduate Student Board's DEI Representative, and Co-chair for MAE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Selected as a Nextprof Pathfinder attendee and serving as the Copresident of Shades of Sisterhood, De'Ajree actively contributes to her field. De'Ajree aspires to pursue a career as a professor, combining teaching and research, or exploring opportunities in the industry.
Advisor: Eric Loth
Md Shafkat Bin Hoque, a Ph.D. graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, is focused on advancing laser-based thermal conductivity measurement techniques. His work is important in characterizing materials critical for enhancing the efficiency and lifespan of microprocessors, integrated circuits, light-emitting diodes, high-power radio frequency devices, hypersonic vehicles, advanced rocket motors, next-generation gas turbines, and nuclear reactors. Leveraging his expertise in thermal characterization techniques, Md Shafkat specializes in characterizing semiconductors and ultrahigh temperature ceramics. Recognized for his outstanding research contributions, he received the Outstanding Graduate Research Award. Post-graduation, Md Shafkat aspires to pursue a career in academia, utilizing his expertise to develop energy-efficient devices that significantly reduce power and electricity consumption.
Advisor: Patrick Hopkins
Evan Dooley is a mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. graduate specializing in developing a validated simulation framework. His focus is assessing how propulsive forces from a posterior walker impact walking stability and energy cost. Evan's research aims to create a posterior walker that reduces walking workload, enabling extended walking for improved physical health, muscle development, and quality of life. By enhancing assistive devices, Evan's work benefits individuals reliant on aids, providing physiological, mental, and social advantages. He has recently received prestigious awards including the UVA MAE Outstanding Graduate Leadership & Diversity Award and the American Society of Biomechanics' President's Choice Service Award. Evan is driven to explore industry opportunities in human motion biomechanics, aspiring to help people improve their mobility and well-being.
Advisors: Shawn Russell, Silvia Blemker (BME), Jason Forman (MAE), Matt Panzer (MAE), Mark Romness (Ortho)
Cori Espelien, a fourth-year graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, engages in automotive safety research with a focus on diverse occupant populations. Her work encompasses two significant projects. The primary project centers on collecting and analyzing data to enhance the response of a new-generation small female crash test dummy, serving as the cornerstone of her dissertation research. Cori's secondary project delves into studying injury trends among pregnant occupants. Her exceptional contributions earned her the MAE Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award in 2023 and the Raven Society Scholarship. She also received the MAE Outstanding Graduate Leadership Award and served as the MAE Graduate Student Board President in 2022. As a SEAS Dean's Scholar Fellow from 2019 to 2021, Cori has demonstrated her commitment to excellence. Cori aspires to pursue a career in the automotive safety research sector post-graduation, though she remains undecided between government, OEM, or academic paths.
Advisor: Jason Forman
John Kelly, a Ph.D. graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, delves into the world of hydrodynamics in fish schools and fish-like robot swarms through computational fluid dynamics. With an impressive academic journey, John has been recognized as an ASME FEDSM Graduate Student Scholar, ASME FEDSM Graduate Returning Scholar, and recipient of the prestigious Physics of Fluids: Editors Pick Paper award. His exceptional work also secured him first place in the ASME FEDSM Who's Who video competition and third place in the UVERS Poster contest. John envisions embarking on a research career in a national lab or university after graduation.
Advisor: Haibo Dong
Kristen Reynier is a mechanical engineering Ph.D. graduate who focuses on biomechanics research, specifically focusing on brain injuries from automotive crashes. Her work quantifies the impact of sex and biomechanical factors on brain deformation, enhancing understanding of injuries in both male and female crash victims. Kristen recently received the UVA MAE Outstanding Graduate Student Award (April 2023). Looking ahead, she aims to leverage her expertise as an engineering consultant in sports. Kristen's goal is to study brain injuries and protective equipment, ultimately improving athlete safety.brain injuries and protective equipment in sports, with the ultimate goal of better protecting athletes.
Advisor: Matthew B. Panzer
Sophia Tushak is a Ph.D. graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, specializing in biomechanics and injury prediction of lumbar spine fractures in motor vehicle crashes. She was awarded the NSF GRFP Fellowship, the UVA Graduate Endowed Fellowship, and was a participant in the AAAM H. Clay Gabler Scholars Program in recognition of her academic accomplishments. Sophia has her sights set on a career in research, either in university or in industry.
Advisor: Jason Kerrigan