MAE PhD student awarded SMART fellowship

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PhD student, Jordan Thayer has been awarded a SMART Fellowship by the United States Department of Defense (DOD). Thayer is advised by MAE professor Jack McNamara, and works in the Multiphysics Interactions Research Group (MIRG) directed by McNamara. Through MIRG Thayer also works in collaboration with professor Datta Gaitonde.

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Thayer
The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.  The award provides full tuition, health insurance, living expenses, and employment at a DOD facility after graduation.  Selection for an award is based on an essay, letters of reference, and educational/work background information.

Thayer’s fellowship was awarded by The Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL) at Arnold Air Force Base. His research will focus on fluid-structure interactions in high-speed, unsteady flow environments. 

“The objective of my research is to identify fluid and structural parameters that enable activation of coupling mechanisms and energy transfer between unsteady, turbulent flows and compliant structures in supersonic and hypersonic regimes,” said Thayer.

The fellowship allows Thayer to continue his research, as well as begin working in a civilian position at the sponsoring facility. He is excited about the opportunities that the fellowship opens up, both academically and professionally. 

“It's an honor to receive the opportunity to work with experimentalists and use the world-class facilities at AFRL both during and after my Ph.D. studies,” Thayer said. “I am greatly looking forward to tackling engineering problems that are relevant to national missions.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category: Graduate