Welcome to Our Community Dr. Sidaard Gunasekaran, Ph.D., University of Dayton
Alumni

Always a Part of Our Community

Alumni from this group remain an important part of its story. Their work has spanned honors theses, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations across aerodynamics, propulsion, flow diagnostics, and agricultural spray applications. Many carried that experience forward into graduate study, industry, research, and teaching.

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Students who completed honors theses.

Selected honors-thesis alumni and their associated research contributions.

Faith Loughnane
Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Faith Loughnane

Selected publication: Loughnane, Faith, Michael Mongin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, “Effect of Airfoil-Preserved Undulation Placement on Wing Performance and Wingtip Vortex”, AIAA Journal https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J059517
DOIMore publications
Grace Culpepper
Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Grace Culpepper

Selected publication: Culpepper, Grace G., Jielong Cai, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Propeller and Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring." In AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, p. 0615. 2021. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-0615
DOIMore publications
Michael Foster
Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Michael Foster

Selected publication: Foster, Michael, Jessica DeMoor, Sidaard Gunasekaran, and Jielong Cai. "Flight Test Validation of Tandem Propeller Performance With Vertical Offset." In AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum, p. 1445. 2025. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-1445
DOI
Other Undergraduate Students

Undergraduates who contributed to the work.

This section highlights former undergraduate researchers and, where available, a representative publication connected to their work.

Abdul Khan
Undergraduate

Abdul Khan

Selected publication: Greenwood, Brock A., Abdul Khan, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Characterization of Agricultural Nozzle Spray Geometry in Propeller Wake." In AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum, p. 1269. 2025. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-1269
DOIMore publications
Alexa Roberts
Undergraduate

Alexa Roberts

Publication information is not currently listed on this page.
Ancy Johnson
Undergraduate

Ancy Johnson

Publication information is not currently listed on this page.
Andrew Porterfield
Undergraduate

Andrew Porterfield

Selected publication: Porterfield, Andrew, Andrew Killian, Sidaard Gunasekaran, and Michael Mongin. "Generation and Characterization of Discrete Vortical Gust." In AIAA 2023 Region III Student Conference, Dayton, OH https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-71873
DOIMore publications
Asa Palmer
Undergraduate

Asa Palmer

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard. "Using Ideation, Disruption, Aha (IDA) Pedagogy in Introduction to Flight." ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition. 2019. https://peer.asee.org/25203 18. Palmer, Asa E., and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Effect of Curved Boundary Layer Fences on Aerodynamic Efficiency." In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum, p. 1614. 2019. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-1614
DOI
Bryan Hoffman
Undergraduate

Bryan Hoffman

Publication information is not currently listed on this page.
Caiden Guzman
Undergraduate

Caiden Guzman

Selected publication: Cai, Jielong, Caiden Guzman, Emma Schutter, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "On the Linear Superposition of Wing and Propeller Performance in a Wing Embedded Propeller System." In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, p. 1511. 2024. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-1511
DOI
Cindy
Undergraduate

Cindy

Selected publication: Pabon, Julian A., Xinyu Gao, Jielong Cai, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Experimental Investigation of a Novel Morphing Wing Design." In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-1913
More publications
Daniel Curry
Undergraduate

Daniel Curry

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard and Doug Melton. “Getting EML Off the Ground: Why Do Jets Fly So High?”. KEEN Magazine, p 08. 2017.
More publications
Emma Schutter
Undergraduate

Emma Schutter

Selected publication: Cai, Jielong, Caiden Guzman, Emma Schutter, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "On the Linear Superposition of Wing and Propeller Performance in a Wing Embedded Propeller System." In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, p. 1511. 2024. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-1511
DOI
George Gogidze
Undergraduate

George Gogidze

Selected publication: Gogidze, George J., Sidaard Gunasekaran, and Jielong Cai. "Effect of Propeller Incidence Angle on Wing Embedded Propeller Performance." In AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-1892
More publications
Grant Ross
Undergraduate

Grant Ross

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard, and Grant Ross. "Effect of Piezo-Embedded Inverted Flag in Free Shear Layer Wake." Aerospace 6, no. 8 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace6080090
More publications
Jacob Montgomery
Undergraduate

Jacob Montgomery

Publication information is not currently listed on this page.
Joe Ivarson
Undergraduate

Joe Ivarson

Selected publication: B. N. Narayanan, Joseph Ivarson, Lars Maneck, Sidaard Gunasekaran, “Deep Learning Algorithm for Atomization Characterization using Shadowgraph Images.” AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum.
More publications
Lucas Hung
Undergraduate

Lucas Hung

Selected publication: Hung, Lucas K., Jielong Cai, Neal Novotny, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Development of a Multi-Purpose Flap and Spoiler Mechanism for High Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles." In AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, p. 1027. 2022. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-1027
DOI
Madison Peyton
Undergraduate

Madison Peyton

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard, Madison Peyton, and Neal Novotny. 2022. "Aerodynamic Interactions of Wind Lenses at Close Proximities" Energies 15, no. 13: 4622. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134622
DOIMore publications
Matt Gazella
Undergraduate

Matt Gazella

Selected publication: Gazella, Matthew R., Jonathon Hill, Scott Chriss, Austin J. Abel, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Design and Analysis of a Morphing Wing Using Plastic Deformation." In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1766
More publications
Nathan Thomas
Undergraduate

Nathan Thomas

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard and Nathan Thomas. "Affecting Aerodynamic Efficiency by Influencing Wing Surface-Flow Direction Using Laser Fabricated Surface Structures." Dayton-Cincinnati Aerospace Sciences Symposium. 2018.
More publications
Neal Novotny
Undergraduate

Neal Novotny

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard, Madison Peyton, and Neal Novotny. 2022. "Aerodynamic Interactions of Wind Lenses at Close Proximities" Energies 15, no. 13: 4622. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134622
DOIMore publications
Rachael Supina
Undergraduate

Rachael Supina

Selected publication: Loughnane, Faith A., Rachael Supina, Michael P. Mongin, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Effect of Airfoil- Preserved Undulations on Wing Performance." In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum, p. 1784. 2020. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1784
DOI
Rachel Sharp
Undergraduate

Rachel Sharp

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard, and Rachel Sharp. "Airfoil Near Wake Turbulent Properties at Maximum Aerodynamic Efficiency Conditions." In AIAA Aviation 2021 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-2204
More publications
Scott Chris
Undergraduate

Scott Chris

Selected publication: Gazella, Matthew R., Jonathon Hill, Scott Chriss, Austin J. Abel, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Design and Analysis of a Morphing Wing Using Plastic Deformation." In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1766
More publications
Summer Jenkins
Undergraduate

Summer Jenkins

Publication information is not currently listed on this page.
Thomas Cook
Undergraduate

Thomas Cook

Selected publication: Cook, Thomas, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael V. Ol, and Michael P. Mongin. "Frequency Response of a Shuttered Open Jet Wind Tunnel." In AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum, p. 1760. 2020. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1760
DOI
Tim Gerham
Undergraduate

Tim Gerham

Selected publication: Gunasekaran, Sidaard, and Tim Gerham. "Effect of Chordwise Slots on Aerodynamic Efficiency and Wingtip Vortex." AIAA Journal, 2018. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J056163
More publications
Master's Students

Master’s alumni and the theses they built.

These alumni completed master’s-level research connected to the group’s work in aerodynamics, propulsion, diagnostics, and control.

Steven Goodman
Master's Thesis

Steven Goodman

Selected publication: Goodman, Steven, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Aaron Altman, and Albert Medina. "On the Near Wake Turbulent Flow Properties of an SD7003 Airfoil and its Relationship to Aerodynamic Efficiency." In AIAA Aviation 2018 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-3462
More publications
Jacky Cai
Master's / Ph.D.

Jacky (Jielong) Cai

Selected publication: Cai, Jielong, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael OL, and Anwar Ahmed. "Propeller Ground and Ceiling Effect Parametric Data." Journal of Aircraft (2020): 1-4. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C035839
DOIMore publications
Eric Insana
Master's Thesis

Eric Insana

Selected publication: Insana, Eric, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Low Reynolds Number Experimental Aerodynamic Verification of Scaled and LEWICE Simulated Ice Accretions in SLD Conditions." In AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, p. 2025. 2022. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-2025
DOI
Samuel Barnhart
Master's Thesis

Samuel Barnhart

Selected publication: Barnhart, Samuel A., and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Investigation of Doppler Lidar for Velocity Measurements in Wind Tunnels." In AIAA Aviation 2020 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-2828
More publications
Michael Mongin
Master's Thesis

Michael Mongin

Selected publication: Loughnane, Faith, Michael Mongin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, “Effect of Airfoil-Preserved Undulation Placement on Wing Performance and Wingtip Vortex”, AIAA Journal https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J059517
DOIMore publications
Josh Deslich
Master's Thesis

Josh Deslich

Selected publication: Deslich, Joshua, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Effect of Slotted Winglet on the Wingtip Vortex." In AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, p. 3431. 2019. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-3431
DOI
Andrew Killian
Master's Thesis

Andrew Killian

Selected publication: Mongin, Michael P., Sidaard Gunasekaran, Albert Medina, Raul Ordonez, and Andrew Killian. "High Amplitude Lift Tracking Using Closed-Loop Feedback and Control." In AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, p. 0046. 2022. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-0046
DOIMore publications
Ian Tierney
Master's Thesis

Ian Tierney

Selected publication: Tierney, Ian M., Sidaard Gunasekaran, Kyle Butz, Timothy Anderson, and C. Taber Wanstall. "Measuring Agricultural Spray Droplet Distribution in Propeller Wake: A Cautionary Tale." In AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-0031
More publications
Nevin Jestus
Master's Thesis

Nevin Jestus

Selected publication: Jestus, Nevin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael P. Mongin, and Aaron Altman. "Aerodynamic Characterization of Wing-Wing Interactions for Distributed Lift Applications." In AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, p. 0030. 2023. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-0030
DOIMore publications
Luke Duncan
Master's Thesis

Luke Duncan

Selected publication: Duncan, Lucas, Jielong Cai, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Powered Wing's Response to Streamwise Gust Encounters." In AIAA 2023 Region III Student Conference, Dayton, OH https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-71287
DOIMore publications
Ph.D.

Doctoral alumni and dissertation-level work.

Doctoral alumni and dissertation-level mentorship within the group.

Jacky Cai
Ph.D.

Jacky (Jielong) Cai

Selected publication: Cai, Jielong, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael OL, and Anwar Ahmed. "Propeller Ground and Ceiling Effect Parametric Data." Journal of Aircraft (2020): 1-4. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C035839
DOIMore publications

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Mentorship

  • Faith A. Loughnane - Effect of Airfoil-Preserved Undulations on Wing Performance and Wingtip Vortex (2020)
  • Grace G. Culpepper - Propeller and Propeller-In-Wing Thrust Vectoring (2021)
  • Michael R. Foster - Investigating Tandem Propeller Performance in Multirotor Aircraft (2025)

Master's Thesis Mentorship

  • Steven Goodman - Correlations Between Near Wake Velocity Fluctuations and Aerodynamic Efficiency for the SD7003 Airfoil (2018, Primary Advisor)
  • Brock Pleiman - Calibration of a Flow Angularity Probe with a Real-Time Pressure Sensor (2019, Committee Member)
  • Paul Sholtis - Characterization of Upstream Effects Due to High Blockage in the AFRL Vertical Wind Tunnel (2019, Committee Member)
  • Jielong Cai - Changes in Propeller Performance Due to Ground and Partial Ground Proximity (2020, Primary Advisor)
  • Eric Insana - Low Reynolds Number Experimental Aerodynamic Verification of Scaled and LEWICE Simulated Ice Accretions in SLD Conditions (2020, Primary Advisor)
  • Samuel Barnhart - Design and Development of a Coherent Detection Rayleigh Doppler Lidar System for Use as an Alternative Velocimetry Technique in Wind Tunnels (2020, Primary Advisor)
  • Josh Deslich - Effects of a Bell-Shaped Lift Distribution on an Oblique Flying Wing and its Impact on Aerodynamic Performance (2020, Primary Advisor)
  • Madeline Lickenbrock - Multi-fidelity, Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization of the Efficient Supersonic Air Vehicle (2020, Committee Member)
  • Benjamin Moidel - Development and Validation of Single-Engine General Aviation Aircraft Models within Merlin 521 Motion-Based Flight Simulators (2021, Committee Member)
  • Michael Mongin - Closed Loop Control of Lift Coefficient at High Amplitudes and at Different Reduced Frequencies (2021, Primary Advisor)
  • Andrew Killian - Periodic Vortical Gust Encounter and Mitigation using Closed Loop Control (2023, Primary Advisor)
  • Ian Tierney - Measuring Agricultural Spray Droplet Distribution in Propeller Wake: A Cautionary Tale (2023, Primary Advisor)
  • Michael Settle - The Effects of Deployable Surface Topography Using Liquid Crystal Elastomers on Cylindrical Bodies in Flow (2023, Committee Member)
  • Nevin Jestus - Aerodynamic Characterization of Multiple Wing-Wing Interactions for Distributed Lift Applications (2023, Primary Advisor)
  • Natalie Douglas - Granular Media Motion in a Rotary Kiln: Design, Testing, and Analysis Combined with Coupled Radiative Exchange Techniques in a Discrete Element Method Tool for Concentrating Solar Power Application (2023, Committee Member)
  • Lucas Duncan - Powered Wing Response to Streamwise Gust Encounters (2024, Primary Advisor)
  • Sushil Janardhana - Unfiltered Rayleigh Scattering and Synthetic Schlieren for Thermodynamic Characterization of Heated Binary Jets (2025, Committee Member)

Ph.D. Dissertation Mentorship

  • Saad Quershi - Predicting Aerially Delivered Retardant Ground Deposit Concentrations and Spatial Distributions using Statistical and Algebraic Modeling with Influence from Experimental Techniques (2022, Committee Member)
  • Molly Donovan - Impact of Free-stream Turbulence Intensity on the End wall Region of Low-Pressure Turbine Blades (2023, Committee Member)
  • Osama Alsattam - Noise Robust Particle Event Velocimetry with A Kalman Filter-Based Tracking (2024, Committee Member)
  • Katie Opacich - Investigation of Ignition Kernel to Kernel Interactions by Utilizing Imaging Diagnostics around/within a Small Flow Tunnel (2024, Committee Member)
  • Jielong Cai - Changes in Propeller Performance due to Rotor and Ceiling Proximity in Forward Flight (2024, Primary Advisor)