Student Projects

I’ve advised students over the summer and January interim periods, often through Lafayette’s EXCEL Scholars program; and for semester-long independent study, capstone design or yearlong honors thesis projects.  I helped launch Lafayette’s Grand Challenges Scholars Program.  If you’re interested, email me to let me know what you’re interested in and why.

The list below includes students I’ve advised at Lafayette College and their project titles.  Unless otherwise noted, the students listed were Mechanical Engineering majors:

2022-2023

  • Manaka Gomi: Design & Characterization of a Novel Musical Instrument Honors Thesis

2019-2020

  • Remziye Erdogan: Modeling Transport in the Placenta Honors Thesis

2018-2019

  • Gary Chen: Design of Self-Stabilizing Helicopter Honors Thesis

Summer 2018

  • Remziye Erdogan, Sarah Johnson, and Gary Chen

Summer 2017

  • Gary Chen: Respiratory Biomechanics in Obstructed Airways

2015-2016

  • Spring You: CFD of Respiratory Biomechanics Honors Thesis

2012-2013

  • Scott Albert (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering): Renal Artery Hemodynamics Honors Thesis
  • Kate Yoder: Aerodynamics of Flying Gyroscopes Honors Thesis

2011-2012

  • Luna Yuan (double major in Policy Studies): Solar heating for L9W New Orleans Honors Thesis
  • Taimoor Sohail: Renal hemodynamics

Summer 2011

  • Zhe (Peter) Sun: Aerodynamics and Hemodynamics

2010-2011

  • Alicia Clark: CFD analysis of Respiratory Biomechanics Honors Thesis
  • Ryan King (CS): CFD in Renal Artery
  • Luna Yuan: CFD in Renal Artery [January intersession]
  • Greg Buchan: Gas Turbine Engine Investigation Independent Study

Summer 2010

  • Ming Hong and Hallie Zeller: PIV Measurements in Stenotic Vessels
  • Ryan King (CS): CFD in Renal Artery
  • Greg Buchan: Gas Turbine Engine Investigation

2009-2010

  • Chak Man Chan: Aerodynamics of Badminton Shuttlecock Honors Thesis
  • Peter Coate: Comparative Study of Emissions and Performance of Biofuels, Honors Thesis, co-advised with Javad Tavakoli (ChE)
  • Naomi Itescu: Redesign of PIV Test Section Senior Design
  • Tyler Sossong (Neuroscience): Flow in Stenotic Vessels Independent Study

Summer 2009

  • Ming Hong, PIV Experiments in Stenotic Vessels

2008-2009

  • Megan Cummins (Bio): Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in Stenotic Vessels Honors Thesis
  • Carolyn Stolfi: Biomechanics of Glaucoma Honors Thesis
  • Braden Tilghman: Performance characterization of biodiesel engine Independent Study, co-advised with Javad Tavakoli (ChE)

2007-2008

  • Mary Kate Erdman: Ovarian cystectomy: A study in biomimetic design, Senior Design
  • Emily Egge: Hemodynamics in Stented Vessels, Honors Thesis
  • Andrew Rau: Design and Validation of Cardiovascular Flow Loop with PIV, Honors Thesis
  • Carolyn Stolfi: Biomechanics of glaucoma, Independent Study

2006-2007

  • Carolyn Fisher: Non-Newtonian Flow in Aneurysmal Vessels, Honors Thesis
  • Emily Egge: Hemodynamics in Stented Vessels, Independent Study

Summer 2006

  • Carolyn Fisher: Numerical Simulation of Aneurysm Hemodynamics
  • Andrew Rau: Experimental Study of Wiffle Ball Aerodynamics

2005-2006

  • Catherine Herchenroder: Redesign of Vaginal Speculum, Senior Design
  • Tim Nish: Experimental Facility for Visualization of Blood Flow, Honors Thesis
  • Brent Utter: Numerical Simulation of Aneurysm Hemodynamics, Honors Thesis

Summer 2005

  • Brent Utter: Numerical Simulation of Aneurysm Hemodynamics