Two MAE PhD students honored as Ohio State Presidential Fellows

Ohio State mechanical engineering PhD student Ali Asghari Adib and aerospace engineering PhD student Troy Shilt were selected as two of this year’s recipients of the Ohio State Presidential Fellowship.

The fellowship is given to students who “embody the highest standards of scholarship” in the graduate programs at the university going into the last stages of their dissertation research or terminal degree project. Recipients are given a monthly stipend for living expenses so they can focus solely on completing their research, as well as help with travel expenses to present at national conferences.

Asghari Adib is advised by Dr. David Hoelzle and is a doctoral candidate who came to Ohio State from Tehran, Iran.

Asghari Adib’s research focuses on developing a novel endoscopic additive manufacturing tool to 3D print biomaterials inside the patient body, in a minimally invasive manner.

He joined Hoelzle Research Lab at OSU in 2017 as a PhD student, in order to peruse his lifetime dream of making an impact at the confluence of science and engineering.

“Personally, I have had a wonderful experience working with the faculty at Ohio State. They are knowledgeable, helpful and caring,” Asghari Adib said. “I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. David Hoelzle, for his exceptional mentorship. In addition, I would like to thank my family who have always supported me from thousands of miles away.”

Asghari Adib appreciated receiving this rare distinction.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” he said. “This award motivates me even more to continue working hard and excel in my academic career.”

Troy Shilt is advised by Dr. Jack McNamara and is a doctoral candidate who came to Ohio State from Dayton OH.

“Working with the faculty at Ohio State has been a privilege,” Shilt said. “I am especially grateful to my advisor Dr. Jack McNamara for everything he has taught me. The guidance I have been provided is invaluable and will guide me for the rest of my career.”

Shilt’s research focuses on developing novel numerical solutions to long standing fluid dynamic problems using the generalized finite element method.

This approach allows the implementation of a priori knowledge using enrichment functions. A focal point of the research is determining enrichments which are well-suited for fluid dynamic problems.

“It is an honor to receive the Presidential fellowship and be acknowledged for the work I have been doing,” he said. “I also feel proud to represent the MAE department amongst the most prestigious graduate scholars at Ohio State.”