Graduate Researchers:
Sam McCaulley, PhD: computational shock mechanics and dynamics for jointed structures under shock loading.
Aleksandr Gulkanov, PhD: physics-based understanding of dissipation and wear mechanisms in engineered structures.
Aalok Dhar, PhD: hysteretic manifolds – theory, experimental validation, and new numerical methods that exploit them.
Arati Bhattu, PhD: Tribomechadynamic modeling of the coupling of geometric and interfacial nonlinearities for design of bolted panels.
Xin Xu, MS: nonlinear dynamic characterization of leaf spring assemblies for design and modelign.
Stephen Simko, MS: measurement of damping capacity as a function of air pressure.
To apply, please visit the Mechanical Engineering Department application page.
Postdoctoral Researchers:
None currently.
If you are interested in applying for a postdoc position within the Tribomechadynamics Lab, please consider the RUAF program.
Visiting Researchers:
Sara Yazdkhasti, visiting PhD: Design and manufacturing of the hysteretic manifold test rig.
Applications are welcome for visiting researchers as space within the Tribomechadynamics Lab permits.
Alumni (PostDoc):
Drithi Shetty (2022-2024. Measurement of interfacial stiffness via ultrasonic probes).
Nidish Balaji (2021-2022. Deep learning for Digital Image Correlation).
Hamid Ghaednia (2017-2018. Impact mechanics and tribology).
Alumni (PhD):
Cengizhan Taslicay (PhD 2025. Videographic Modal Analysis – integration of deep learning and phase based motion magnification). Current: Lecturer, Rice University.
Justin Porter (PhD 2024. Predictive and Reduced Order Modelign of superharmonic resonances. Tribomechadynamic modeling framework for rough interface predictions). Current: PostDoc, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Nidish Balaji (PhD 2021. Tribomechadynamics modelign framework for predictive modelign of jointed structures). Current: Assistant Professor, IIT Madras.
Iyabo Lawal (PhD 2021. Multiscale methods for wear predictions). Current: Assistant Professor, Cal Poly Ponoma.
Scott Smith (PhD 2020. Multi-degree of freedom fixturing, excitation, and measurement for qualification testing). Current: Assistant Professor, Norwich University.
Alumni (MS):
Senyo Ahadzie (MS 2022. Delamination of thermal spray coatings).
Maeve Karpov (MS 2022. Design and fabrication of smart bolts).
Ziqing Dai (MS 2021. Nonlinear system identification methods).
Shashank Pasupuleti (MS 2021. Damage experiments for composite laminate).
J. Tyler Despard (MS 2020. Mesoscale indentation test rig design and experimentation).
Eoghan O’Neill (MS 2020. Constitutive modeling for contact mechanics).
Mianmian Ruan (MS 2019. Bolt preload measurements via piezoelectrics).
Alumni (Visiting):
Zhenzhong Cao (Visiting Ph.D., 2018 from Nanjing University of Science and Technology. Bolt failure modeling.)
Wei Chen (Visiting Ph.D., 2018-2019 from Tongji University. DIC for measuring slip and separation within jointed interfaces).
Tobias Dreher (Visiting MS, 2019, from the University of Stuttgart. Measurements of contact pressure in situ for jointed structures).
Mengshi Jin (Visiting Ph.D., 2017-2019 from Tongji University. Peak Finding and Fitting system identification method).
Distinguished Undergraduate Researchers Alums:
Each year, the Tribomechadynamics Lab presents awards for distinguished undergraduate researchers. Prior recipients are listed below:
Z. Lucy Guo, class of 2018, statistical and uncertainty methods.
Clayton Little, class of 2019, nonlinear dynamics modeling.
Hang Shu, class of 2020, additive manufacturing and nonlinear dynamics.
John Keogh, class of 2021, design and manufacturing.
Daniel Dibos Manzur, class of 2022, contact mechanics modeling.
Hemish Thakkar, class of 2024, nonlinear system identification methods.
Risto Djishev, class of 2025, ultrasonic measurements of interface stiffness.
Zach Adams, class of 2025, nonlinear dynamics of 3D printed beams with internal impact absorbers.
Gachoka Fred Mungai, class of 2025, nonlinear dynamics experiments.
Stephen Maradiaga, class of 2026, nonlinear dynamic experiments.
Rui Eric Wang, class of 2026, elastomer measurements and nonlinear dynamic experiments.