Jagannath Jayachandran
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering
Education:
- Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 2016
- M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 2013
- B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, 2007
My research is geared towards exploring relatively less explored combustion phenomena. This includes, on one end of the reactivity spectrum, mildly flammable hydrofluorocarbon mixtures, and on the other end, highly energetic fuel/oxygen mixtures. I find combustion of solids (e.g., metals, rocket propellants) and at high-pressures fascinating. Outside of work, I enjoy playing basketball, going on hikes, and traveling.
Current Members
Nolan Dexter-Brown
Graduate Research Assistant
My name is Nolan Dexter-Brown, and I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the aerospace department here at WPI. I received my bachelor’s degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering in 2019. Currently I am researching the controlling physics behind a phenomenon known as the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). In my spare time I enjoy relaxing with my wife and dog watching history documentaries and talking to friends while playing videogames.
Justin Tavares
Graduate Research Assistant
My name is Justin Tavares and I am a graduate student pursuing my Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I received by B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering and Physics also at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I have a Level 3 CRLA tutoring certification and enjoy teaching and helping colleagues with their academic studies. In addition, I enjoy health and fitness training, playing volleyball, and watching football and gymnastics. In my free time, I play online games with friends and watch fantasy and horror dramas such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.
Joel Matthew
Graduate Research Assistant
I am Joel Mathew, a Ph.D. student in Aerospace Engineering. I completed a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics at the University of Tulsa. I primarily work on the HFC drop tower combustion experiment. Outside the lab, I enjoy exercising, film photography, playing video games, playing tennis, watching basketball, reading, and playing the piano.
Amelia Kokernak
Graduate Research Assistant
My name is Amelia Kokernak and I am a graduate student pursuing my Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at WPI. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2022. My research there pertained to ultra-fast laser diagnostics for high-enthalpy flows. I also worked on experiment design for a shock tube project simulating the conditions of a reentry vehicle. For my Ph.D., I am primarily interested in researching hypersonic combustion for high-speed vehicles and the physics of hydrogen as a combustion fuel. Outside of work, I run cross country and track for WPI, enjoy drawing and painting, and enjoy attending live music performances.
Past Members
| Name | Education | Current Position |
| Nicholas Orlovsky | B.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI |
| Maria Wojciechowski | B.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI |
| Thierry de Crepigny | B.S./M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Theresa Sandbrook | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Elijah Levi | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Chin Ngai Mike Lam | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Jack Tulloch | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Ari Athair | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Alyssa Hollander | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | Ph.D. student, Aerospace Engineering, WPI |
| Jake Scarponi | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| John Trainer | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Abigail Collins | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Ethan Davis | B.S. / M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | |
| Nicholas DiReda | M.S. Aerospace Engineering, WPI | Ph.D. Candidate, Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University |
| Richard Mohabir | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, WPI | |
| Veeraj Hiralal Pardeshi | M.S. Mechanical Engineering, WPI |