Innovators, Thinkers, Builders
Meet Our Team
Faculty
Dr. Veeraraghava Raju Hasti
Dr. Hasti is an Assistant Professor in the School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Machine Learning, Digital Twins, and advanced computational modeling for sustainable energy and autonomous systems. Dr. Hasti earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University with a concentration in Computational Science and Engineering and has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including the Dilip R. Ballal Early Career Engineer Award and invitations from the U.S. National Academy of Engineering . He leads cutting-edge research integrating physics-based simulations with data-driven AI to develop intelligent, resilient, and sustainable technologies for energy, propulsion, and industrial systems. In addition to his research excellence, he is widely recognized for his outstanding teaching, mentorship, and leadership in professional engineering societies
Steven Thompson
PHD in Modeling and Simulation, University of Central Florida
Research Interests is to lean primarily towards combustion and fluid mechanics.
“There are no failures–just experiences and your reactions to them.” – Tom Krause
Nadia Aref
PHD in Modeling and Simulation, University of Central Florida
Research Interests is intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Systems, with a focus on developing intelligent, models for real world applications.
“The future belongs to those who design intelligence, not just use it.”
Fazle Rahat
PHD in Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida.
Research interests lie at the intersection of Machine Learning and Explainable AI, focusing on developing transparent, robust, and reliable AI systems.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Job
Pradhyumna Agaram
Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation while working full time at Lockheed Martin
Research Interests is to Develope synthetic infrared images using physics based and AI based techniques.
“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good” – Voltaire
Mohammed Sadiq Rizvi
Research Interests is Turbulent combustion modelling
“The future belongs to those who design intelligence, not just use it.”
Wikender Alcius
PHD in Modeling and Simulation, University of Central Florida
Research Interests is Grid-responsive, energy and carbon-aware intelligent computing systems for sustainable AI.
“Built in discipline. Driven by Vision. Designed for impact”
Kofi Abusah
PHD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida
Research Interests is Rotating Detonation Engines, Scientific Machine Learning.
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” ~ Napoleon Hill
Hussen Premier
Master’s in Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida
Research interests lie at the intersection of hardware, software, and robotics, with a focus on applying machine learning and computer vision to develop intelligent robotic systems and enhance autonomous decision-making.
“Success is to be measured not by what you accomplish, but by the obstacles you overcome.” – Booker T. Washington
Ryan Draskovich
Master’s in Aerospace Engineering (Aerothermal Fluid Systems),
Research interests lie at Solidification Mechanics, Conjugate Heat Transfer of Turbomachinery, Turbulence Modeling.
“As an engineer you are given a great opportunity to really impact society, even one small part, one new theory or one different application can play a role. These opportunities are what guided me into engineering, and I hope one day my contributions help reshape or society for the good.”
Alexander Nardi
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, Burnett Honors College, University of Central Florida, USA.
Rahul Tummuru
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics, Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, USA.
Hakim Abdurrashid
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, USA.
Adam K Brandt
PHD Students
Elihu Deneke
PHD, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. Graduated in December 2021.
Dissertation-“A hybrid exergetic cost analysis of a steam generator system under cyclic load” Co-Chair with Prof. Jay Gore.
Present Position- Senior Staff Member, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Dongyun Shin
PHD, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. Graduated in May 2021
Dissertation- “Spray characteristics of alternative aviation fuels”. Co-Chair with Prof. Robert P Lucht.
Present Position: Research Engineer, Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), A Xerox Company, Palo Alto, California, USA.
MS Students
Abhishek Navarkar
MS in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University. Graduated in May 2020
Project- “Machine learning for predicting the system properties during cycling of coal power plants”. Co-Chair with Prof. Jay P. Gore.
Present Position: Data Scientist, Amazon, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Shridhar Thakar
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, USA. Graduated in May 2024.
Thesis: Numerical Simulation of Flow Boiling in Microchannel Heatsinks With Conjugate Heat Transfer.
Present Position: Pursuing PhD at North Carolina State University, USA.
Undergraduate Students in Research
Spring 2024, North Carolina State University
Airfoil Shape Optimization using Conditional Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks.
Taha Ahmed, Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University. Spring 2024.
Fall 2022, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Analysis of Rotating Detonation Engine
Barale Braden A
Spring 2022, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Analysis of Rotating Detonation Engine:
- D’Souza Joshua A
- Haller Borakan K
- Barale Braden A
Hydrogen for Clean Power and Propulsion:
- Moloney Niall P
- Lu Richard
- Frieling Camden J
- Howe Ryan J
Renewable Energy Forecasting using Artificial Intelligence:
- Jones Teagan A
- Han Zhen
Fluid Mechanics and AI Learning While Working (LWW) at Cummins:
- Im Jiyoon
AI modeling of global aircraft emissions
- Stocke Mason Edward
Fall 2021, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Aircraft Emissions:
- Stocke Mason Edward
Summer 2021: External Students from the National Society of Black Engineers pursued an internship at Purdue University.
Cost of Cycling Operations in a Power Plant – A Sensitivity Study
- Alex Horowitz, Bachelor of Science (Sc.B.) – Computer Science from Brown University, Providence, RI.
- Mackey S. Long, Bachelor of Science- Materials Engineering from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Summer 2020, Purdue University
COVID-19 Analysis with Artificial Intelligence
- Alan Phong Tran Nguyen
- Abhilash Bora
- Nikita Sridhar
- Evan Paul Parshall
- Gabriel Muzio
- Anekar Keval Suhas
Smart Combustion
- Ajay Nachiappan
- Leonardo Walter de Freitas Silva
- Zachary Ryan Butz
- Stocke Mason Edward
- Romir S Damle
- Gabriel D Costa
High School Students
Hrithi Reshi Sivalinki, Sophomore (Grade 10), Camas High School, Camas, Washington, USA
Summer Internship in 2023, Project: Combustion – Play with Atoms.
Vishwa Kamalbabu, Junior Year (Grade 11) Student, Carmel High School, Carmel, Indiana, USA
Summer Internship in 2023, Project: Generative AI for Spaceship Design
Aditya Sivathanu, Senior Year (Grade 12) Student, West Lafayette High School, USA
Summer Internship in 2020, Project: AI-Based Adaptive Snake Video Game.
Present Status: Undergraduate student at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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