Students

Jayendra (Jay) Patel is  a senior Mechanical Engineering student. After taking Dr. Kaw’s computational methods course in Fall 2021 (in-person, fortunately), he developed a major interest in how numerical methods are used to simplify calculations and how this is applied in real applications.  He is an undergraduate teaching assistant and is a research experience for undergraduates (REU) student.

Gregory Sims is  a senior Mechanical Engineering student.  Gregory took computational methods with Dr. Kaw in the Fall of 2021. My favorite aspect of the course was applying lectured concepts from the course in the projects. Programming is like a puzzle: trying to put together a complex string of commands that accomplish the desired goal. Learning about different computational methods and then being challenged to apply them via MATLAB kept me engaged throughout the class.  He is an undergraduate teaching assistant and is a research experience for undergraduates (REU) student.

FORMER STUDENTS

Jonas Vinol Fernandes graduated with a B.S.  degree in Mechanical Engineering. He took Computational Methods in Fall 2020 and was exposed to the online format of Dr. Kaw’s class. He has experience as a tutor for the Smart Lab where he helped students from different majors with a variety of math courses. He was a Student Instructional and Learning Assistant for Computational Methods from Jan 21 to May 22.  He is currently pursuing a MS in mechanical engineering at University of Austin.

Rafael Braga is a senior pursuing a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering with plans to graduate in May of 2021 and later pursue a graduate degree. He took the EML3041 Computational Methods in the Spring of 2020 and has been exposed to both the in-person and online format of Dr. Kaw’s class.  He was a teaching and research assistant for the class fromm June 20-Feb 21. He co-authored several journal and conference articles on development and use of adaptive learning in flipped classrooms, including “Adaptive Learning: Helpful To The Flipped Classroom In The Online Environment Of COVID?“.

Bharat Pulaparthi is a graduate student pursuing an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated in Spring 2021 and is an equipment engineer with TSMC. He has carried out several informative sessions with Dr. Kaw related to adaptive learning for the computational methods course. He was a Student Instructional and Learning Assistant for Computational Methods.  He formatted the Introduction to Matrix Algebra book to markdown so that it is accessible to more people and multiple platforms and devices.

Mayank Pandey is a junior pursuing a B.S. degree in Computer Science. He was interested in research opportunities and approached Dr. Kaw for joining his Adaptive Learning Research Project. He has experience as the Head of Design for Hackabull, USF’s only hackathon, where he was responsible for managing the website and creating graphic flyers. He was a Research Assistant working on developing simulations for a course in Numerical Methods.

Nicole Figueroa received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. She was an undergraduate assistant for Computational Methods for three semesters. She also had experience as a tutor/Peer Leading Mentor in Calculus I-III. That’s where she helped first-year engineering students ease into the university and calculus by creating practice problems/formula sheets to help them out. She loves playing soccer, especially with friends back in Intramurals, and drawing obscure warped-up stuff is her passion.

J. Tai graduated in December 2016 with a MS degree in Master degree in Material Science and Engineering at University of South Florida. His thesis topic was “Effect of Voids on Transverse Shear Modulus of Advanced Unidirectional Composites” and published his work in Composites Part A journal.  He obtained his B.S. in Earth Science from National Central University, Taoyuan city, Taiwan. Since he was certain about the transition to the field of materials upon graduation, he took some required materials-related undergraduate courses at National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan before coming to USF. 

E. Delgado graduated in May 2017 with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.  She was a Teaching Assistant for Computational Methods at USF and also developed adaptive lessons for a course in Numerical Methods.  Her areas of interest included vibrations and aerospace engineering. She co-authored journal and conference articles on adaptive learning including Analyzing the Use of Adaptive Learning in a Flipped Classroom for Pre-Class Learning. 

L. Demo graduated in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida, Tampa.  Lisa was involved with research to develop an adaptive learning experience for the  Computational methods course. Her interests include heat transfer and fluid systems.

 

GRADUATED B.S. REU/ Undergraduate Honors Thesis Students 

  1. N. Abate, “Analysis of Adaptive Learning Data from a Numerical Methods Course”, May 2018 (BS).  Employed by Pierce Manufacturing.
  2. R. Chisty, “Development of Adaptive Learning Lessons for a Numerical Methods Course”, August 2018 (BS).  Pursuing MS in Mechanical Engineering at NYU.
Graduated M.S., and PH.D. Students
  1. V. Das, “Analysis of Interface Cracks in Composite Structures,” May 1990 (MS). Employed by Intergraph, AL
  2. A. Selvarathinam, “Comparison of Interphase Models in a Fracture Problem in Fiber Reinforced Composites,” August 1991 (MS). Continued for Ph.D. at Clemson University; Postdoctoral work at the University of Tennessee; Knoxville; Research Engineer, University of Houston, Texas; Research Scientist at Exxon Research; Research Engineer at Lockheed.
  3. G. Sudhakar, “Mechanics of Multiple Cracks in Fiber Reinforced Brittle Matrix Composites,” August 1992 (MS). Posthumously awarded Ph. D. from Clemson University.
  4. J. Dorula, “Effect of Debonding of Fiber-Matrix Interface on Transverse Stiffness of Composites,” May 1993 (MS).
  5. V. Bechel, “Effect of Nonhomogeneous Interphases and Global Fiber Volume Fraction on Mechanical Behavior of Composites,” August 1993 (MS). Received USF Graduate Fellowship; Received Sigma XI Master’s Thesis Award; Continued Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Palace-Knight Scholarship; Currently Materials Research Engineer at AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
  6. D. Jadhav, “Analytical Modeling of a Fiber Crack in Fiber Reinforced Composites,” December 1993 (MS).
  7. S. Chidambaranathan, “Fracture Mechanics of Brittle Matrix Composites with Transversely Isotropic Fibers,” December 1993 (MS). Currently Lecturer in Chidambara University, India.
  8. J. Ye, “Comparison of Fracture Mechanics Models with Axisymmetric and Planar Assumptions,” May 1994 (MS). Received USF Graduate Fellowship Received ME Graduate Studies Award Completed Ph.D. at USF under my guidance. Currently employed by Verizon, Tampa.
  9. S. Kunchithapatham, “Fracture Mechanics of Ceramic Matrix Composites with Imperfect Interfaces,” May 1994 (MS).  Employed by Wipro.
  10. K. Gangakhedkar, “Effect of Fiber/ Matrix Cluster Breaks in Fracture Mechanics of Composites,” December 1995 (MS). Received USF Graduate Fellowship Currently employed by Applied Materials, CA.
  11. P. Krishnan, “Finite Element Simulation of a Slice Compression Test,” May 1997, (MS). Currently employed by SDRI, Ohio
  12. J. Ye, “Local Interaction Effects on Fracture Mechanics of Brittle Matrix Composites,” December 1998, (Ph.D.) Currently employed by Verizon, Tampa.
  13. M. Deepak, “A Computer-Aided Design Model for Fiber-Reinforced Pressure Vessels”, May 1999(MS). Software Engineer blackbaud.com
  14. M. Denninger, “A Computer-Aided Design Tool for Bascule Bridge Trunnion Assembly”, December 2000 (MS). Received USF Graduate Fellowship;  Executive MBA USF, Vice President, Theme Park Development at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
  15. B. Ratnam, “Analysis of Trunnion Assembly Failures in Bascule Bridges”, December 2000 (MS). Received USF Graduate Fellowship; Employed by Philips MRI.
  16. S. Nichani, “Experimental Investigation of Failure of Trunnion-Hub-Girder Assemblies in Bascule Bridges”, August 2001 (MS) Received USF Graduate Fellowship; Employed by Schlumberger.
  17. N. Collier, “Benefits of Staged Cooling of Composite Cylinders”, May 2004 (MS). Received Outstanding Masters’ Thesis Award 2004; Post-Doc in KAUST.
  18. M. Berlin, Innovative Procedure to Install a Trunnion-Hub Assembly Into a Bascule Bridge Girder, December 2004, MS (co-advisor); Employed by Boeing.
  19. J. Paul, “Sensitivity Analysis of Trunnion-Hub Girder Assembly Procedure”, Received USF Graduate Fellowship; May 2005 (MS).  Employed by CR Bard – Davol Inc .
  20. T. Wasik, “Effect of Fiber Volume Fraction on Fracture Mechanics of Composite Materials”, May 2005 (MS).
  21. P. Chalasani, “Nanoindentation of Layered Materials”, May 2006 (MS).  Employed by Wells Fargo.
  22. C. Nguyen, “A Design of Experiments Study of Procedure for Assembling Bascule Bridge Fulcrum”, May 2006 (MS).  FinishedPhDat UCF.  Employed by Honeywell, Arizona.
  23. J. Daly, “On Nanoindentation Tests of Thin Films”, May 2007 (MS).  Employed by Pall Aerospace.
  24. S. Garapati, “Nanoindentation Tests: Synergizing Experimental, Analytical and Numerical Results”, May 2009 (MS).  PursuingPhDat USF.
  25. L. Snyder, “Sensitivity Analysis of Alternative Assembly Procedure in Fulcrums of Bascule Bridges”, MSME May 2010. Employed by Lockheed Martin, Arkansas.
  26. D. Miller, “Design and Analysis of an Innovative Semi-Flexible Hybrid Personal-Body-Armor System”, MSME May 2011, Employed by Hatch Corporation and US Navy Reserves.
  27. S. Carballo, “Thermo-Mechanical Beam Element for Analyzing Stresses in Functionally Graded Materials”, Ph.D., August 2011, Employed by Universidad Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica (UNEXPO), Venezuela.
  28. M. Rajapakshe, “Physically Meaningful Harmonization of Tire/Pavement Friction Measurement Devices”, Ph.D. (co-advisor), December 2011, Employed by Smithers Rapra, Ohio.
  29. J. Zitko, “Effects of Cross-sectioned Distributions, Fiber Misalignment and Interphases in Three-Dimensional Composite Models on Transverse Shear Modulus”, MSME, August 2012, Employed by Jarret Zitko, Inc.
  30. S. Garapati, “Analysis of Heating and Cooling Methods for Assembly of Steel Fulcra in Bascule Bridges”, Ph.D., August 2013, Employed by Optimum Engineering, IL
  31. J. Tai, “Effect of Voids on Transverse Shear Modulus of Advanced Unidirectional Composites”, M.S., December 2017, Employed by Densitron Corporation, CA.
  32. E.Delgado, Non-Thesis option, M.S., May 2019, Employed by Vega Americas, OH.