Personnel | START and ExCCL

Our Team

Dr. Karen Thole

Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering
NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room 148
3127 Research Drive
State College, PA. 16801

Phone: 814 863 8944

Email: KThole@psu.edu

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Dr. Stephen Lynch

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering
NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room 149
3127 Research Drive
State College, PA. 16801

Email: splynch@psu.edu

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Dr. Karen A. Thole is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University where she also previously served as the Department Head. Dr. Thole’s expertise is heat transfer, additive manufacturing, and instrumentation development. She directs the Steady Thermal Aero Research (START) Lab where experimental and computational studies are conducted to advance aviation sustainability and power generation through highly efficient turbines. She is a Fellow of ASME and AIAA and has been recognized by ASME’s R. Tom Sawyer, George Westinghouse Gold, Edwin F. Church and Heat Transfer Memorial Awards. From AIAA, she has been awarded AIAA’s Air Breathing Propulsion and Thermophysics Awards.

Dr. Thole’s CV

Dr. Stephen Lynch is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. He has expertise in applications of convective heat transfer and aerodynamics for aerospace, particularly gas turbine engines. His work has utilized state-of-the-art experimental diagnostics, supported by computations. His research interests include high speed aerodynamics and heat transfer in turbines, interaction of main gas path and secondary flows, advanced airfoil cooling schemes (film and internal channel cooling), three-dimensional boundary layers, and development of advanced fluid and heat transfer diagnostic tools.

Dr. Lynch’s CV

Dr. Michael Barringer

Associate Research Professor

NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room #145
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: MBarringer@psu.edu

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Dr. Reid Berdanier

Associate Research Professor

NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room #147
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: rberdanier@psu.edu

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Jeremiah Bunch

Research Assistant

NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room #145
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: jrb63@psu.edu

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Scott Fishbone

Project Manager

NARCO Building, CATO Park, Room #146
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: sbf5013@psu.edu

More About Scott Fishbone

Dr. Barringer oversees daily operation of the PSU START laboratory and research programs. Holding a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, his expertise is in gas turbine heat transfer and aerodynamics. He is currently designing and commissioning the world-class, rotating turbine rig at the heart of the START laboratory.

Dr. Berdanier earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University in the area of experimental compressor aerodynamics with a focus on advanced measurements. In the START lab, he is active in the development and demonstration of novel experimental techniques supporting ongoing sponsored programs.

Please contact Dr. Berdanier if you are interested in a sensor demonstration program leveraging the capabilities of the START turbine research facility at Penn State.

Dr. Berdanier’s Personal Website

Mr. Fishbone is responsible for managing the research projects in the START lab. He comes from a project management background, having worked on large capital projects in the oil and gas industry around the world. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College.

Mr. Bunch is responsible for the assembly and disassembly of the complex mechanical test rig components and assisting with rig operation, including installing and troubleshooting instrumentation. He was a jet engine test cell operator in the Marine Corps and an instructor at the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Affairs.

Joel Wagner

Research Scientist

NARCO Building, CATO Park
Room #144
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: jhw5315@psu.edu

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Leland Tien

Research Engineer

NARCO Building, CATO Park
Room #144
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: leland@psu.edu

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Rebecca Lynch

Research Assistant

NARCO Building, CATO Park
Room #153
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: rml6050@psu.edu

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Justin Brumberg

Research Engineer

NARCO Building, CATO Park
Room #150
3127 Research Dr.

State College, PA 16801

Email: jtb164@psu.edu

More about Justin Brumberg

More about Joel Wagner

More about Leland Tien

Mrs. Rebecca (Becca) Lynch is responsible for administrative and programmatic support for the START Lab. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wyoming.

Mr. Brumberg supports lab testing and mechanical design work in the PSU START laboratory. His work experience includes combustion research, mechanical design, and component repair. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a mechanic. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State.