Career

Kyle M. Hanquist

Assistant Professor – Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering – University of Arizona

I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona in the Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering. I am in the process of starting up the Computational Hypersonics and Nonequilibrium Laboratory (CHANL). My research involves modeling of complex phenoma, with a recent focus on computational hypersonics. This includes work in nonequilibrium flows, plasma flows, material response, kinetics, rarefied gas, and optimization.

My publications can be found on Google Scholar.

I was recently quoted in a Physics World publication: Top tips from tree tops

Educational Background

  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • M.S.E. Aerospace Engineering with focus on Fluid Dynamics
    • Sept. 2012 – April 2015
    • GPA: 3.97/4.00
    • Relevant Coursework: Compressible Flow, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Turbulent Flow, Molecular Gas Dynamics, Viscous Flow, Plasma Physics, Advanced Aerodynamics, Teaching Engineering
  • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
    • B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering with Distinction and Honors
    • Aug. 2008 – Aug. 2012
    • Relevant Coursework: Computational Heat Transfer, Thermal Fluids Lab, Dynamics and Control, Heat Transfer, MATLAB, CAD, Thermal Systems and Design, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics
    • Certifications: Passed Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (Mechanical Engineering)
    • Senior Project: Energy Dependence for a Small Island
  • Central City High School, Central City, NE
    • Aug. 2004 – May 2008
    • President, Senior class
    • President, National Honor Society
    • President, Student Council

Experiences

Research Experiences

  • University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
    • Assistant Professor in the Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Department
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Aerospace Engineering department
    • Developing models for computational fluid dynamics and material response to study the hypersonic flight aerothermodynamic environment.
    • Utilizing Direct Simulation Monte Carlo to study spacecraft propulsion in rarefied gases.
    • Developing high-order aerothermochemistry models for air (i.e. nitrogen and oxygen) including state-to-state and nonequilibrium modeling.
    • Mentoring undergraduate and master students in areas of computational modeling of nonequilibrium gas and plasma dynamic systems in aerospace engineering.
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Graduate Student Research Assistant
    • Jan. 2013 – May 2017
    • Research assistant in Nonequilibrium Gas and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory
    • Use computational fluid dynamics to model and investigate the feasibility of using electron transpiration cooling on hypersonic vehicles flying Mach 20+
  • NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
  • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Teaching Experiences

  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Instructor
    • Molecular Gas Dynamics (Aero 532, 25 students)
    • Jan. 2018 – May 2019
    • This is a core graduate course that focuses on gas properties and behavior at the molecular level using kinetic theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics.
    • Winter 2018 course evaluations: AEROSP532_W18_evals
    • Winter 2019 course evaluations: AEROSP532_W19_evals
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Graduate Student Instructor
    • Introduction to Gas Dynamics (Aero 225 , 60 students)
    • Sept. 2015 – Dec. 2015
    • Held office hours and review sessions, proctored exam, answered questions via email and the course website, and lectured when the professor was absent (15 lectures)
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • Grader
    • Viscous Flow (Aero 522)
    • Sept. 2014 – Dec. 2014
    • Graded homework and proctored exams for a graduate class of 30 students
  • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
    • Teaching Assistant
    • Heat Transfer (Mech 420 , 35 students)
    • Aug. 2011 – Dec. 2011
  • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
    • Tutor
    • Sept. 2010 – May 2011
    • Tutored students in the Student Support Services (students with academic need, low income, first generation, or a documented disability) in areas of math, science, and engineering

Relevant Work Experiences

  • United States Senate, Washington, DC
    • Intern
    • May 2010 – June 2010
    • Worked in the office of Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska (retired)

Activities

  • Reviewer
    • Nonlinear Dynamics
    • Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer
    • Energies
    • Aeropsace
    • Applied Sciences
    • Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
    • International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
    • Mathematics
    • Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science
    • Acta Astronautica
    • Aerospace Science and Technology
  • Judge,  Engineering Graduate Symposium
    • November 2017
    • Judge the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering Graduate Symposium, which included poster presentations of doctoral and master student’s research
  • Finalist, Golf Channel’s Driver vs. Driver
    • August 2015 – November 2016
    • Finalist on nationally televised design competition where contestants compete to design Wilson-Staff’s next golf driver.
  • Member, Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Board
    • January 2016 – June 2017
    • Identified and planned activities for graduate students, as well as address areas of concern within graduate body.
  • Mentor, Michigan Mentorships Program
    • June 2014 – present
    • Mentor area high school students interested in engineering and computer science
  • Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps
    • Feb. 2015 – Aug. 2015
    • Identify commercial and product opportunities that can emerge from doctoral research
    • Investigated cardiovascular and glass manufacturing industries
    • Received $10,000 grant
  • Member, Aerospace Graduate Student Advisory Committee
  • President, Nebraska Pi Tau Sigma
    • April 2011 – Aug. 2012
    • Brought chapter into “good standing”
    • Best chapter report (national award)
    • Organized first annual College of Engineering Blood Drive
  • Member, Tau Beta Pi Nebraska Alpha
    • April 2011 – Aug. 2012
    • Top 1/8th of junior class
    • Webmaster
    • Most active member award
  • Team leader, AIAA Design-Build-Fly Competition
    • Sept. 2010 – May 2012

Publications

Journal

Conference