2019 Summer Reflection

US Army Aviation Development Directorate Internship

During the summer of 2019 I worked as a research associate under the Department of

Defense High Performance Computing Internship Program at the US Army Aviation

Development Directorate Office at NASA Ames. This was possibly the best working and living

experience I have ever had. I had the opportunity to advance professionally in a way that is

unlike anything I had ever experienced. I experienced so many firsts at this position. I was able

to learn through tours, mentors, and guest lectures so much about engineering, aviation, CFD and

NASA. I was able to travel across the country and live in a vibrant, exciting and beautiful

location. Possibly the only thing I regret is not being able to do more while I was there.

This job opportunity was entirely unexpected but was something I am extremely thankful

for. Traditionally this position has gone to graduate students however, I was given this position

just out of my junior year. The work I had done previously was primarily in grid generation for

CFD applications and my experience with CFD was limited. This position over the summer was

my first real taste of CFD and I dove head first into all of the aspects of it. From setting up cases

to match wind tunnel tests, to using Linux machines and HPC facilities, to visualizing and

analyzing results. Though I am no expert in this field I am much more acquainted with CFD

work now than before I left. I submitted my first cases and visualized my first CFD simulations.

This is shown in the photo below.

 Additionally, I had the great fortune to work with the world’s best rotorcraft CFD code,

Helios. Not only that but my office contained many of the developers, giving me a direct line to

those that know the software best. I can’t imagine a better way to learn something new. This job

was a fantastic opportunity to talk and interact with CFD professionals as well as learn from all

the other interns particularly the graduate students in my office.

This job was not without its struggles. I was learning a software from the ground up. As

such I made more than my fair share of mistakes. In addition, my work was not always straight

forward and I encountered several significant hurdles. This was one of the few work experiences

I’ve had where the hurdles I faced only motivated me to continue moving. By the end of the

semester I was happy to put in an extra few hours as long as it would get me to be where I
needed to be. I discovered a drive in myself that I rarely experienced in my academic life. This

internship solidified in my mind I want to work in CFD and I want to work with CFD

applications. Moving forward I plan to continue my education in graduate school focusing on

CFD.

The office culture really helped keep me in good spirits. Everyone, and I mean

everyone, was incredibly helpful and all employees both intern and regular helped with at least

one or more of my questions throughout the summer. Of importance was my mentor for the

summer Mark Potsdam. Mark is quite possibly the best rotorcraft CFD applications specialists.

Not only was he able to do his work over the summer but he was able to assist me with mine

whenever I needed. He was able to assist and keep me positive when my simulations were

crashing or blowing up. Without his input and the rest of the office being as open and helpful as

they were, I would not have produced the work that I did or had the fantastic experience I did.

While at the NASA Ames site I was able to tour many facilities and see many guest

speakers. I was able to see the inside the test section and the drive train of the worlds largest

wind tunnel, the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). Below there is a photo of

me next to one of the six fans that move the air for the wind tunnel to operate.
On these tours I was able to hear from the head of the NFAC Bill Warmbrodt who is possibly

the most experienced and lively experimentalist I have ever met. I was also able to tour some of

the other fantastic Ames facilities like smaller wind tunnels, their local supercomputer Pleiades,

the Vertical Motion Simulator, and even the C130s and Pave Hawks that the Air National Guard

commands at Moffit field. Below is a photo of me inside a C130. The incredible facilities at

Ames leave me only more interested in science and engineering. They make me want to have

several different jobs and specialize in all branches of engineering. The size, importance, and

absolute brilliance that is associated with all of these facilities is mind boggling.
`

In addition to physical tours I was able to hear from other spectacular scientist like

Kathrine Bouman on imaging the first black hole, and Yonatan Winetraub about the first Israeli

lunar lander. I also attended several seminars targeted directly at various aspects of CFD work

from Computational Acoustics to other student projects. Getting to hear from all of these

incredible people left me both impressed as well as encouraged and ready to one day be in that

same spot, presenting my contribution to the scientific community.

Personally, this internship was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was my first

time living so far from my family and friend and truly knowing no one. It was my first time

across the Mississippi river and the first time in California. It was my first experience working

in a place that was entirely science and engineering based. Particularly my office being entirely

focused on rotorcraft was a challenging and interesting change of pace. I enjoyed getting to

learn so much but when it comes to aerospace and particularly helicopters, I was constantly

trying to catch up with everyone else. It was certainly a change of pace to go back to sharing a
building kitchen and sharing a room. It was also by far the most expensive place I have ever

been. Luckily, I was able to bike most places or catch a ride from a friend. The summer felt

more like traditionally college living than I have experienced at UTC. Living in community with

so many people that are unknown brought out my more introverted side. It was uncomfortable to

not have people that I am comfortable with however, I soon remembered how to make friends

and realized that everyone else was in the same boat. I was able to get along very well with the

three other interns in my office plus all of my other office mates. I celebrated my 21st birthday in

June with pizza and beers with my office mates, not exactly how I envisioned it but it was nice. I

hiked in Big Basin national park with about half of my office. Below is a photo of me after the

hike near the largest tree I’ve ever seen.

 I also traveled to San Francisco with the interns and went to my first national league

baseball game shown below.

Sitting in the upper deck on the bay was the only time I have ever been cold in July. I was also

able to make friends with the other aeromechanic interns. We attended my second ever concert

together and bonded about not knowing anything about helicopters. Though the experience was

challenging and slightly uncomfortable it was a wonderful summer getting to meet and interact

with so many people. Though the engineering community may get flack for not being the most

socially adept group I have not found that to be the case.

 Overall, I can’t imagine a better summer. Though it was a little scary and nerve wracking

to make such a large jump however, it was absolutely worth the slight stress compared with the

professional, academic, and personal experience that are priceless. I know it was only possibly

because of some incredible people including my research professor Dr. Sreenivas, my ADD Boss

Roger Strawn, and the UTC Honors College.