University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Aerospace Engineering
Bachelor of Science, May 2005
NASA Academy Research Project:
“Pump Hydrodynamics for Advanced Expander Cycle Engines”
Principal Investigator: Lisa Griffin
Academic and Research Experience
• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2001-2005:
Received degree in Aerospace Engineering (Summa Cum Laude).
• University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, Minneapolis MN, Sept 2003-June 2005:
Performed various duties as Aerodynamics team leader. Designed and performed fluid dynamics tests on aeroshell of the 2005 Formula Sun Champion, Borealis III. Procured materials for and helped build the vehicle.
• Society of Automotive Engineers Aero Competition West, Minneapolis MN, Sept 2004-May 2005:
Designed and performed computational fluid dynamics on the wing and outer shell of Bird of “Pray”. Built wing structure using experience with carbon fiber composites.
• Senior Design Project: Nanosatellite, Minneapolis, MN, Jan 2004-May 2005:
Designed outer shell and integrated parts into body of a close-range imaging nanosatellite. Performed dynamic analysis of fully integrated part.
Work Experience
• Lockheed-Martin, Eagan, MN, April 2005-May 2005:
Performed composites work on Sky Spirit UAV.
Memberships and Activities
• University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project Sept 2003-May 2004
• Society of Automotive Engineers Aero West Competition Sept 2004-May 2005
Skills and Certifications
• Computer Skills: Pro/Engineer Wildfire, Pro/Engineer 2001, Solidworks, ANSYS CFX 5, Matlab, Simulink, AutoCAD, Mathematica, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Front Page, Power Point, DOS, Mac OS X, Windows 98/NT/2000/ME/XP, Unix, Linux, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, HTML, C/C++.
• Composites skills: Designing and building mold tooling, prepreg and wet layup vacuum molding (carbon fiber, aramid, E-Glass), construction with aerospace grade adhesives and resins.
• Leadership skills: Design team leading
Honors and Awards
• Dean’s list Fall 2001, Fall 2003, Spring 2004.
• IT Student Leadership Award 2004 & 2005
Hobbies and Interests
3D computer modeling, RC aircraft design, soccer, acting, and world history.
Personal Statement
I have always been a very passionate and energetic scientific thinker. From a very young age I was instilled with a fondness for all things technical. When I graduated from high school the major I would choose in college was never in question. Aerospace engineering was my natural choice, thus I attended the best local school that would accommodate this – the University of Minnesota. There I studied Aero E. diligently for four years, and never digressed from that path. In the last two years I have channeled my passion for science into two well-known and popular design projects; the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, and the Society of Automotive Engineers Aero Competition. From these two demanding projects I have learned that my future as an engineer lies in design and leadership.
