Graduate Students

Currently guiding the following students:

Ph.D. (Expected Graduation)
A. Abhishek (Dec 2008)	Peter Copp (Dec 2008)
Jaye Falls (May 2008)	Benedict Moble (May 2008)
Jason Pereira (May 2008)	Vikram Hrishikeshvan (2009)
Jeff Singleton (June 2008)

Past Years - Thesis Advisor:

Guided the following students in their Ph.D. dissertations:

1. Nithiam Sivaneri, "Aeroelastic Stability of Rotor Blades Using Finite Element Analysis," June 1982, (Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of West Virginia)
   - Associate Dean & Director of Graduate Program
2. Brahmananda Panda, "Dynamic Stability of Hingeless and Bearingless Rotor Blades in Forward Flight," August 1985, (Senior Technical Specialist, Boeing Helicopters-Philadelphia)
3. Chang-Ho Hong, "Aeroelastic Stability of Composite Rotor Blades in Hover," July 1985, (Professor, Choong-Nam National University, Korea)
   - Department Chairman of Aerospace Engineering
4. Gunjit S. Bir, "Gust Response of Articulated and Hingeless Rotors," November 1985, (Senior Dynamist, Department of Energy, NREL)
   - Head of Rotor Dynamics Group
5. Andrew L. Dull, "Aeroelastic Stability of Bearingless Rotors in Forward Flight," July 1986, (Col. U.S. Army, now Technical Manager at Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntsville, AL) - Former Chairman of Aerospace Engineering Department, U.S. Military Academy, West Point
6. Venkat Raghavan, "Unsteady Force Calculations on Circular and Elliptical Airfoils with Circulation Control," December 1987, (Research Engineer, ASTROX Corp.)
7. Andrew S. Elliott, "Calculation of Steadily Periodic and Gust Responses of a Hingeless Rotor Helicopter Using 2-D Time Domain Unsteady Aerodynamics," October 1987, (Senior Engineer, Mechanical Dynamics Inc.) - Head Dynamics Group
8. Joon W. Lim, "Aeroelastic Optimization of a Helicopter Rotor," June 1988, (Research Engineer, U.S. Army, Ames Research Center) - Head 2GCHAS Comprehensive Analysis Group
9. Jinsoek Jang, "Ground and Air Resonance of Bearingless Rotors in Hover and Forward Flight," August 1988, (Chief, Rotary-Wing Division, Agency of Defense Development, Korea) - Head of Advanced Rotorcraft Development Program in Korea
10. David J. Haas, "Aeroelastic Characteristics of Aircraft With Circulation Control Wings," June 1989, (Aerospace Engineer, David Taylor Naval Research Center)
    - Program Head DoD Sponsored JAHUM Program: Highly visible national program
    Branch Head, System Aviation
11. Khanh Nguyen, "Application of Higher Harmonic Control to Rotors Operating at High Speed and Maneuvering Flight," August 1989, (Aerospace Engineer, NASA Ames Research Center) - Former Chief Rotorcraft Dynamics Group
12. Michael S. Torok, "Rotor Loads Validation Utilizing a Coupled Aeroelastic Analysis With Refined Aerodynamic Modeling," August 1989, (Chief Engineer, Martime Program)
    - Formerly Director Flight Sciences
13. Ki C. Kim, "Effects of Three Dimensional Aerodynamics on Blade Response and Loads," July 1990, (Senior Research Engineer, U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground)
14. Fredrick A. Tasker, "Nonlinear Damping Estimation From Rotor Stability Data Using Time and Frequency Domain Techniques," May 1990, (Formerly Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UMBC, now Research Engineer at NASA Goddard)
15. Shmuel Fledel, "Coupled Rotor/Airframe Vibration Analysis," December 1989, (Col. Israeli Air Force, President and CO Cyclone Co., Israel)
    - Former Head All-Israel Aircraft Procurement Division
    - Senior Vice President, El Al Airline
16. James W. Wang, "Aeroelastic Analysis of Helicopter Rotors with Dissimilar Blades," November 1991, (Senior Dynamist and Designer, Sikorsky Aircraft)
    - Winner of 1997 United Technologies Achievement Award (one award for all United Technologies - Maritime Program Attribute Manager
17. Edward C. Smith, "Aeroelastic Response and Aeromechanical Stability of Helicopters with Elastically Coupled Composite Rotor Blades," August 1992, (Professor, Aerospace Engineering Department, Penn State)
    - Director and Founder of Rotorcraft Center of Excellence at Penn State
18. Mark W. Nixon, "Aeroelastic Analysis of a Tiltrotor Aircraft," December 1993, (Director, U.S. Army Vehicle Technology Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center)
19. Ranjan Ganguli, "Aeroelastic Optimization of Tailored Composite Rotor, May 1994, (Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, Formerly Senior Engineer, Pratt & Whitney)
20. Farhan Gandhi, "Elastomeric Modeling and Rotor Dynamics", September 1995, (Professor, Aerospace Engineering Department, Penn State)
    - A Key Faculty Member, Rotorcraft Center of Excellence at Penn State
21. Venkat Srinivas, "Aeroelastic Analysis of Advanced Tiltrotor Aircraft," December 1995, (Senior Project Engineer, Ford Motor Co.)
22. Peter C. Chen, "Development of a Smart Rotor with Induced-Strain Actuation of Blade Twist," September 1996, (Director of Advanced Technology, Techno-Sciences)
    - Founder and Head of Smart Structures Division
23. Anita L. Tracy, "Aeromechanical Stability Investigation of Elastically Coupled Composite Helicopter Rotors," October 1996, (Senior Engineer, Pratt & Whitney)
24. Judah H. Milgram, "Aeromechanics Analysis of Trailing-Edge Flap Rotors," January 1997, (Aerospace Engineer, David Taylor Naval Research Center)
25. Hyensoo Yeo, “A Comprehensive Coupled Rotor Fuselage Vibration Analysis,” May 1999 (Research Engineer, NASA Ames Research Center)
26. Taeoh Lee, “High Displacement Piezoelectric Trailing-Edge Flap Mechanism for Helicopter Rotors,” December 1999, (Engineer, Bell Helicopter Textron).
27. Jeanette J. Epps, “in-flight Tracking of Helicopter Rotor Blades with Tabs Using Shape Memory Alloys,” February 2000, (Senior Engineer, DDR&E)
28. Andreas Bernhard, “Development of Smart Rotor with Active Blade Tips (SABT),” February 2000, (Project Manager, Sikorsky Aircraft)
29. Nikhil Koratkar, “Smart Helicopter Rotor with Piezoelectric Bender Actuated Trailing-Edge Flaps,” December 2000, (Associate Professor, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, RPI)
30. Jayant Sirohi, “Piezoelectric Hydraulic Hybrid Actuator for Potential Smart Rotor Application,” December 2001 (Senior Engineer, Sikorsky).
31. Harsha Prahlad, “Development of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Torsional Actuators for Variable Twist Tilt Rotors (VTTR) Blades,” May 2002, (Research Scientist, Stanford Research Institute).
32. Mao Yang, “A Coupled Rotor-Fuselage Vibration Analysis for Helicopter Rotor System Fault Detection,” December 2002 (Associate Professor, Northwest University, China).
33. Jinwei Shen: “Comprehensive Aeroelastic Analysis of Trailing-Edge Flap Helicopter Rotors,” December 2003 (Research Engineer, NIA/NASA-Langley).
34. Datta, Anubhav: “Fundamental Understanding and Prediction of Vibratory Loads of a Helicopter,” August 2004, (Assistant Research Scientist, University of Maryland).
35. Jinsong Bao: Development of Mach Scale Rotors with Composite Tailored Couplings for Vibration Reduction,” November 2004, (Engineer, Sikorksy).
36. Beatrice Roget: “Individual Blade Control for Vibration Reduction of a Helicopter with Dissimilar Blades,” November 2004, (Research Engineer, NIA/NASA-Langley).
37. Ronald N. Couch: “Development of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy Actuators for a Swashplateless Helicopter Rotor,” May 2006 (Engineer, Swale).
38. Beerinder Singh: “Dynamics and Aeroelasticity of Hover Capable Flapping Wings: Experiment and Analysis,” December 2006 (Engineer, Consulting Company).

Note: Among graduated Ph. D. students two are African-Americans and three are women students. Seven PhD graduates are currently tenure-track faculty members and other one is non tenure-track faculty member at leading institutions.

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Guided following students in their M.S. dissertations:

1. David Matuska, "Rotor Blade Dynamic Response and Structural Optimization of Vibration Reduction for Flap Mode," September 1983, (Senior Design Engineer, Program Manager Advanced Dynamic Systems, Sikorsky Aircraft)
   - Head of Variable Diameter Tilt Rotor (VDTR) Program, Highly visible DoD Sponsored program
2. Brian R. Schwiesow, "Experimental Identification of Stiffness Coupling Terms in a Composite Beam," July 1985, (Engineer, Bell Helicopter Textron)
3. Kevin W. Noonan, "Aerodynamic Design of a Helicopter Main Rotor Blade With Consideration of Flap-Lag Flutter in Hover," December 1985, (Senior Engineer, U.S. Army Aerostructures Directorate at NASA Langley)
4. Aaron A. Salzberg, "Experimental Identification of Stiffness Coupling Terms in Composite Box Beams Manufactures by Thermal Expansion," December 1986, (Engineer, Naval Research Laboratory)
5. Randy C. Barber, "Tilt-Rotor Aeroelastic Stability Using Finite Element Rotor Modal Characteristics," June 1987, (Aeronautical Engineer, C.I.A.)
6. Hue Ngo, "Experimental Evaluation of Circulation Control Aerodynamics on a Cylindrical Body," December 1986, (Program Head, McDonnell Helicopters)
7. Philippe Benquet, "Calculated Dynamic Response and Loads for an Advanced Tip Rotor in Forward Flight," August 1988. (Head Flight Control Division, NATO Helicopter Management Agency, France) - Former Head of Rotorcraft Research in France
8. Ron M. Barrett, "Intelligent Rotor Blade and Structures Develop-ment Using Directionally Attached Piezoelectric Crystals," May 1990. (Associate Professor, Auburn University)
9. Pascal Picavet, "Calculated and Measured Blade Airloads on a SA349-2 Gazelle," Sept. 1992 (Engineer in France)
10. Pieree Y. Ouillet, "Prediction and Validation of Rotor Loads Using Nonlinear Unsteady Aerodynamics," June 1992, ( Ministry of Defense, France)
    - Former Head of Rotorcraft Research in France
11. Burtis T. Spencer, "Design and Testing of a Smart Trailing-Edge Flap using Piezoelectric Stacks," August 1995, (Major US Air Force)
12. Kiran Singh, “Design of an Improved Shape Memory Alloy Actuator for Rotor Blade Tracking,” May 2002, (GE)
13. Josh Ellison, “Investigation of Active Materials as Driving Elements in a Hydraulic-Hybrid Actuator,” December 2004, (Engineer Boeing Helicopters, Philadelphia).
14. Eric Parsons, “Investigation and Characterization of a Cycloidal Rotor for Application to a Micro Air Vehicle,” August 2005 (Engineer, Sikorsky).
15. Anne Brindejonc, “Design and Testing of an Autonomous Payload Delivery System: The Autobody,” December 2005, (Engineer Eurocopter, France).
16. Beverly Beasley, “A Study of Planar and Non-Planar Membrane Wing Planforms for the Design of a Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle,” May 2006, (Engineer Arora).
17. Nitin Gupta, “Development of Test-Bed for MAV Closed Loop Flight Control,” December 2006, (Engineer Consulting Company).
    18. Brandon Fitchett, “Development and Investigation of a Flapping Rotor for Micro Air Vehicles, June 2007.

Guided the following students in their M.S. without thesis:

1.   C. H. Hong (1983, Ph.D.) 2.   J. Jang (1984, Ph.D.) 3.   B. Panda (1984, Ph.D.) 4.   A. E. Elliott (1985, Ph.D.) 5.    J. Bate (1986, Engineer, Sikorsky Aircraft) 6.   K. Nguyen (1986, Ph.D.) 7.   B. Wunder (1986, Research Engineer,       U.S. Navy, PAX River) 8.   B. S. Fledel (1987, Col. Israel Air Force) 9.   J. W. Lim (1987, Ph.D.) 10. K. C. Kim (1987, Ph.D.) 11. M. Torok (1987, Ph.D.) 12. J. Wang (1988, Ph.D.) 13. C. Bruner (1989, Research Engineer,       U.S. Navy, Pax River) 14. J. H. Leifer (1989, Consultant) 15. E. C. Smith (1990, Ph.D.) 16. S. Dirlik (1990, Research Engineer,       David Taylor R&D Center) 17. N. Kimata (1990, Lt. Col. U.S. Army) 18. R. Ganguli (1991, Ph.D.) 19. A. Tracy (1991, Ph.D.) 20. W.P. Chan (1991, Ph.D.) 21. J. Milgram (1992, Ph.D.) 22. V. Srinivasan (1992, Ph.D.) 23. J. Smith (1992, Ph.D.) 24. Peter Chen (1993, Ph.D.) 25. S. Vellaichamy (1993, Ford Motor Co.) 26. Chris Niggemeier (1993, Engineer       at Learjet Aircraft)

27. Mike Bothwell (1994, Engineer at       Bell Helicopter Co.) 28. Curtis Walz (1994, Engineer at       Boeing Helicopter Co.) 29. Jeanette Epps (1994, Ph. D.) 30. Lazar Alon (1995, Colonel Israel       Air Force) - Chief of Rotorcraft       Procurement in Israel 31. Oren Ben-Zeev (1995, Engineer       at NAVAIR) 32. Luc Renouil (1995, Defense, France)     - Head of Rotorcraft Research in France 33. Andy Bernhard (1995, Ph. D.) 34. Hyeonsoo Yeo (1996, Ph. D.) 35. Nikhil Koratkar (1998, Ph. D.) 36. Mao Yang (1998, Ph. D.) 37. Jinwei Shen (1998, Ph. D.) 38. Jayant Sirohi (1998, Ph. D.) 39. Harsha Prahlad (1999, Ph. D.) 40. Anubhav Datta (2000, Ph. D.) 41. Beatrice Roget (2000, Ph. D.) 42. Matthew Tarascio (2001, Ph. D.) 43. Mary Vachery (2002) 44. Ronald Couch(2002, Ph.D) 45. Jason Pereira (2002, Ph D) 46. Beerinder Singh (2003, Ph D) 47. Atul Atulasimha (2003, Ph D) 48. Ben Hein (2005, Sikorsky) 49. A. Abhishek (2005, PhD) 50. Peter Copp (2007, PhD) 51. Moble Benedict (2007, PhD)

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