Symposium honors Professor Emeritus Michael Dunn

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Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn

On September 16 the Gas Turbine Laboratory at The Ohio State University Aerospace Research Center held a symposium and reception to celebrate the impact of Professor Emeritus Michael Dunn.

Over an academic career spanning 26 years in Ohio State’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Dunn led the Gas Turbine Lab to become internationally recognized in the field of gas turbine engine research and development and testing. The lab, which Dunn originally co-established at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in 1976 and brought to Ohio State in 1995, focuses on driving engine improvements to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, as well as enhancing performance and safety.

Symposium attendees with Michael Dunn (front center wearing tie)
Symposium attendees with Michael Dunn (front center wearing tie)

The privately funded event – Symposium Honoring Mike Dunn: Engineer, Researcher, Educator, Friend – was attended by faculty, staff, students and distinguished guests from industry, government agencies, universities and aerospace organizations.

“Mike has been an incredible mentor for me personally,” said Randall Mathison, current director of the Gas Turbine Laboratory. “I feel privileged to have worked with him, and it was a pleasure to organize this symposium in his honor. He had a significant professional impact, but he had an even deeper impact in the personal relationships he built throughout his career.”

Dunn, right center blue shirt, with other department faculty at the reception
Dunn, right center blue shirt, with other department faculty at the reception

Gas Turbine Laboratory Associate Director Kiran D’Souza commented on Dunn’s impact on the field of gas turbines. “Outside of his direct research programs that cover a wide variety of topics from dust ingestion to aerodynamic and heat transfer work to aeromechanics and structural dynamics research, he has mentored and had an influence on so many leaders in the field throughout industry, academia and the government.”

Presenters shared technical insights and anecdotal stories from their collaborations with Dunn and his associates. Topics included building research programs, blade tip rub and structural dynamics research, and heat transfer and other research. Presentations were given by current and past affiliates from the Air Force Research Laboratory, GE Aerospace, GE Aviation, Pratt and Whitney, and The Ohio State University.

The day-long event concluded with a Gas Turbine Laboratory open house and off-site evening reception.

This article first appeared on arc.osu.edu