People
I work with undergraduate students on projects in heat transfer, CFD, aerospace systems, and hands-on engineering design through the Carroll A. Curtis Thermal-Fluids Laboratory and the Chico Rocketry and Aerospace Club (CRAC), co-advised with Prof. Dennis O’Connor.
Research in Action
Our group presents at major conferences and collaborates across institutions.
ASME IMECE 2025
ASME IMECE 2025
ASME IMECE 2025
ASME SSDM 2025
AIAA ASCEND 2026
AIAA ASCEND 2026
AIAA ASCEND 2026
CSU Student Research Competition 2026
CSU Student Research Competition 2026
CSU Student Research Competition 2026
Current Research Students
| Student | Degree | Project |
|---|---|---|
| John Elliott | B.S. Mechatronic Engineering | Airbrake CFD and drag analysis |
| Parker Truscott | B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Airbrake CFD and drag analysis |
| Ariana McAvoy | B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Surrogate drag modeling for rocketry |
| Saira Gill | B.S. Mechatronic Engineering | Fin flutter and elliptical fin design |
| Alex Chavez | B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Fin flutter and modal analysis |
| Enrique Borgzinner | B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Apogee prediction modeling |
| Pablo Adame | B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Simulation lead |
Former Research Students
| Student | Degree | Current Position |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Chen | B.S. Mechatronic Engineering | Seeking Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering |
| Benjamin Nelson | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, CSUC 2026 | M.S. student, University of Minnesota (incoming); NASA Marshall Space Flight Center intern (Summer 2025) |
| Elizabeth Rodriguez | B.S. Computer Science, CSUC 2026 | NSF REU, Johns Hopkins University (Summer 2025) |
| David Nguiffo | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, CSUC 2026 | Ph.D. applicant, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
| Forest Siewert | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, CSUC 2025 | Ph.D. student, University of Utah |
| Samaher Shaheen | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, CSUC 2025 | M.S. student, University of Utah |
| Kevin Walsh | M.S. Mechanical Engineering, ERAU 2025 | Quality Engineer, Boeing |
Collaborators
- Dennis O’Connor – Primary advisor of CRAC and key collaborator; Chico State
- Sandra K.S. Boetcher – Ph.D. advisor; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Mark A. Ricklick – Ph.D. committee member; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Nicholas C. Lopes – Ph.D. collaborator; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University