People

Principle Investigator

Gokul Pathikonda

Gokul Pathikonda, PhD

Assistant Professor, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE)
PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
MS in Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Graduate Students

Isaiah E. Wall

Graduate Student (PhD), School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE)
BS in Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University

Research Interests: Mixing in Boundary Layers, Experimental Techniques, Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF), Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Shock-driven turbulent mixing

I am a 3rd year Aerospace Engineering PhD student in the CMAT laboratory at ASU. I also received my bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from ASU with a focus in astronautics. Currently, I am working on measuring scalar transport in a turbulent boundary layer via simultaneous acetone PLIF and PIV. Additionally, I am working on developing a dynamic surface with a capability to actively change its topology to allow investigation into the effects of roughness scales on boundary layer structure and scalar transport.

In addition to my work at CMAT, I have worked with two groups at Los Alamos National Lab on simulations of hydrodynamics and experimental fluid dynamics. Outside the lab I enjoy working out, hiking, dancing, and rock climbing.

Krishna Kompally

Graduate Student (PhD), School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE)
B. Tech. Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA University (India), 2020

Research Interests: Turbulent flow and mixing with optical diagnostics (PIV, LIF), Particle-laden turbulent jets.

Cossack ‘Zac’ Rodrigues

Graduate Student (MS), School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE)
B. Eng. Aerospace Engineering, Kingston University

Research Interests: Absorption-based volumetric flow reconstruction of scalar fields

I was fascinated with aircraft and all things mechanical, and, as a result, was quite involved with the aero-modeling club during my first year at university. Halfway through the program, I was drawn to motorbikes, and motorsport in general, which resulted in me volunteering some time towards the TaylorMadeRacing Brough Superior Moto2 project. My final year project evaluated the aero and thermal features of the university’s Formula Student entry. I am a big fan of F1 and MotoGP, physical activity, especially running and hiking, and I occasionally make simple melodies with various musical instruments.

Venkata Sai Sushant Paturu

Graduate Student (MS), School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE)
B. Tech. Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 2018

Research Interests: Experimental and Computational Fluid Mechanics on particle-laden flows

Besides my work at CMAT Lab, I’m a part-time graduate intern in the etching department at Intel Ocotillo Site. I am also interested in Thermal and Energy Systems Design, and System, Process and Data Optimization. Previously, I worked on fluid and thermal science projects to improve product quality and process performance. In my free time, I read science and space-related books and visit space observatories and planetariums. For stress-relief, I play the keyboard, meditate and visit parks and trek nearby places.

Collaborators