Principal Research Interests and Expertise
- Theoretical and experimental methods for the aeroacoustics of flight vehicles
- Development of fast aircraft noise models using semianalytical and advanced empirical methods
- Novel applications of acoustic modeling, including real-time feedback of noise exposure for pilots, low noise path planning, and providing autonomous flight systems with “acoustic awareness”
Education
- PhD Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland (2011)
- MS Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland (2008)
- BS Mechanical Engineering Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York (2005)
Professional Experience
Pennsylvania State University: Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering (2019-Present)
Building a research program at the Pennsylvania State University focused on enabling new ultra-low-noise operations of aircraft in and around communities. Improving our understanding of the physics of vertical lift aircraft noise generation through a combination of experimental measurements and semianalytical modeling of aerodynamics and acoustics. Applying this understanding to develop fast and accurate aircraft noise models. Exploring how real-time aeroacoustic models can be applied to provide piloted, semi-, and fully-autonomous systems with an intuitive “acoustic awareness” to enable low noise operations, taking advantage of recent advances in flight dynamics and control, human-machine interfaces, and autonomy.
NASA Langley Research Center: Research Aerospace Engineer (2008-2019)
Led NASA’s Mobile Acoustic Facility, overseeing major upgrades of the acoustic, aircraft state, and weather measurement capabilities. Principal Investigator for numerous acoustic flight test programs, including systematic studies of the influence of ambient environmental conditions on rotor noise generation, the aeroacoustics of maneuvering flight, and the effects of changes in vehicle configuration and trim strategy on rotorcraft noise characteristics. Developed new aerodynamic and acoustic models and analysis techniques, including the Fundamental Rotorcraft Acoustic Modeling from Experiments (FRAME) technique, a dynamic prescribed rotor wake model, and a method for estimating helicopter noise abatement information using machine learning. Developed and validated an approach for designing low noise optimal flight procedures. Invented “Device for Providing Real-Time Rotorcraft Noise Abatement Information” (US15/995,563). Developed a dynamic replanning method for providing near-real-time noise abatement guidance.
Awards and Associations
- Vertical Flight Society (VFS, former AHS) Alfred Gessow Best Paper Award (2020)
- American Helicopter Society (AHS, now VFS) François-Xavier Bagnoud Award (2018)
- VFS/AHS Forum Best Paper in Session (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- NASA Early Career Achievement Medal (2016)
- NASA Group Achievement Medal (2016 – Altitude Variation Flight Experiment)
- NASA/AHS Lichten Internship Award (2007)
- Vertical Flight Society: Member (2006-Present), Technical Director HRC (2018-2019), Associate Member Acoustics TC (2006-2012), Member Acoustics TC (2021-Present)
- Helicopter Association International: Member, Fly Neighborly Committee (2017-Present), Chair Fly Neighborly Committee (2022-Present)
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Senior Member (2002-Present)