Students
Future students (Ph.D. Scholarship Opening for Spring 2024)
We have one Ph.D. research assistant opening in Fall 2022 on sensing, estimation, and control of extreme aerial robot/UAS in the research group of Associate Prof. Haiyang Chao in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Kansas. The successful candidates will work on developing optimal estimation algorithms and smart controllers for autonomous aerospace vehicles to operate in extreme environments (e.g. wildfire, strong wind and turbulence such as wake vortex).
Current research topics include:
(1) wind and turbulence sensing and estimation using single or multiple unmanned aircraft,
(2) modeling and prediction of wind and turbulence effect on nextGeneration unmanned aircraft system (e.g., gust, fire plume, wake vortex),
(3) smart controller design for small UAS to handle extreme wind and turbulence.
We offer:
(1) Great opportunities to work on autonomous robotic hardware and software to solve real world sensing, perception, estimation, and control problem for next generation autonomous systems.
(2) You will have the chance to play with high fidelity sensors (e.g., 5-hole probe, RTK GPS, thermal camera, 3D ultrasonic wind anemometer) and UAS platforms (including Paparazzi and Pixhawk autopilot).
(3) Good salary and full tuition waiver as graduate research assistants.
Applicants should hold a B.S. or M.S. degree in related fields. Desired candidates should have strong background and interests in at least two of the following areas:
(1) Stochastic estimation filter design (e.g. EKF),
(2) System dynamics and control theory (e.g., PID/LQR)
(3) MATLAB/C programming & embedded systems.
Students with experiences on Remote Controlled (RC) airplanes and Paparazzi /Pixhawk are especially welcomed to apply.
Please contact Associate Professor Haiyang Chao (chaohaiyangATku.edu) for initial evaluation with (1) "2022 Fall PhD Application" in the title, (2) A paragraph in the main body of the email to summarize your related research experiences and your motivation to get a Ph.D. in our group, (3) Detailed CV, (4) TOEFL scores if you are an international student (GRE is NOT required for KU AE graduate admission). The KU Aerospace Engineering Program is ranked at 37th nationwide according to the U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges, 2018 issue. Kansas hosts aerospace corporations including Textron Aviation (Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker aircraft), Bombardier Learjet, Spirit AeroSystems, Garmin, and AeroEnvironment.
Current students
Doctoral Students
Zhenghao Lin (2021)
Ph.D. student
Department of Aerospace Engineering
lin.zhenghao@ku.edu
Mosarruf Hossain Shawon (2021)
Ph.D. student
Department of Aerospace Engineering
mosarruf@ku.edu
Tianyu Han (2023)
Ph.D. student
Department of Aerospace Engineering
hty@ku.edu
Master Students
Undergraduate Students
Ben Svoboda (2021 - now), Senior, KU Aerospace Engineering
Adam Baruth (2022 - now), Junior, KU Aerospace Engineering
Daniel Estingoy (2023 - now), Sophomore, KU Aerospace Engineering
Nicholas A. Georgiou (2023 - now), Junior, KU Aerospace Engineering
Alumni
Dr. Saket Navalur Gowravaram (2018 - 2022), Ph.D. Dissertation: Multispectral Remote Sensing and Spatiotemporal Mapping of the Environment and Natural Disasters Using Small UAS, KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Post Doctoral Fellow at University of Texas, Austin.
Dr. Harold Flanagan (2016 - 2021), Ph.D. Dissertation: Coupled System Identification, Flight Controller Design, and Wind Sensing Using KHawk Flying Wing UAS, KU Aerospace Engineering.
Dr. Pengzhi Tian (2014 - 2020), Ph.D. Dissertation: Sensing and Estimation of Airflow Angles and Atmospheric Winds for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Cruise LLC.
Jacksen Goyer (2019 - 2022), M.S. Thesis: NIR Imagery based Grass Fire Detection and Metrics Measurement using Small UAS. First Stop after Graduation: Lockheed Martin.
Justin Matt (2020 - 2022), M.S. Thesis: System Identification and Model-based Controller Tuning and Evaluation for Small Flying-wing UAS, KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: NASA Langley.
Megan Carlson (Summer 2021) KU Aerospace Engineering.
Luke Hersh (2022 - 2023), B.S., KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Spirit Aerospace
Connor Liam Kinkade (2019 - 2021), B.S. KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Raytheon
Nidhin Ninan (2018 - 2019), B.S., KU Aerospace Engineering
Jeremy Isaac Katz (2017 - 2018), B.S., KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Enviro Systems Inc.
Zorig Bat (2013), Senior, KU Aerospace Engineering.
Elizabeth S. O'Neil (2013 - 2014), B.S., KU Aerospace Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: Garmin.
Ying He (2015 - 2016), B.S. KU Electrical Engineering. First Stop after Graduation: M.S. Student, University of Southern California.
Visiting Scholars
Dr. Guirong Wang (2015 - 2016), Associate Professor, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China