Current Student Researchers
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Law is an undergraduate student in Energy Systems Engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades. He joined Energy Systems Lab on April 2017. Previously, he assisted in C programming for communications between components on the unmanned aerial vehicle project. Currently, he is researching building air conditioning load control systems and low cost water desalination technologies. Outside of work, Law is active as a part of the student council, university organization coordinator, and is a board member of Oregon Student Association. His hobbies include country hopping, snowboarding, and hiking.
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Gertrude is an Honors College undergraduate student, majoring in Energy Systems Engineering. She joined the Energy Systems Lab in March 2017. Currently, she is working on the UAV hybrid powertrain project, and her roles include electronics integration, computer assisted design, and data organization/analysis. Outside of the Energy Systems Lab, Gertrude is the President of the Association of Energy Engineers Cascades Chapter on campus. In her free time, Gertrude likes to hike, camp, bike, read, hang out with her dog, and explore living with less waste.
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Jon is an undergraduate student in the energy systems engineering program at OSU-Cascades. He joined the Energy Systems Lab in March 2017. He is working on the hybrid UAV powertrain project. Jon has a background in fabrication and maintenance. When not studying Jon likes to rock climb, kayak, and build projects in his garage.
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Khang became a member of the Energy Systems Lab in May of 2017, and is currently a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University. He graduated from the University of Portland with dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics, where he took part in a research project to investigate a new type of natural gas centrifugal compressor to achieve near isothermal compression. Within that research team, he helped design and build a data acquisition system, as well as multiple pressure vessel prototypes for testing purposes. Currently, Khang is continuing the research effort for a major U.S. energy company—a project the lab has been working on prior to his arrival. Outside of research, Khang enjoys hiking, camping, weightlifting, as well as adrenaline-rush activities such as skydiving and bungee-jumping.
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Meg joined the ESL team as a summer intern after graduating from Dartmouth
College with a B.A. in physics in June 2017. For her undergraduate thesis, she worked on an
astrophysics project and is now excited to get a taste of engineering. Her work in the lab
includes programming controls and data acquisition in LabView. Outside of science, Meg enjoys
running, cross country skiing, puns and eating chocolate.
Mechanical Engineering
Email
541-322-2043
Shane joined the team in June of 2013, and is currently a graduate student with an academic focus on thermal fluid sciences. His recent contributions for the CNG conversion project include test cell design and fabrication. Prior to completing his bachelor's at Oregon State, Shane was actively involved in Global Formula Racing –a world championship team devoted to designing, manufacturing, testing, and racing a new formula SAE car every year. Within GFR, he designed a pneumatically actuated, variable runner length intake manifold. Shane is actively involved in activities outside of his research and studies; these include personal car projects, weight lifting, disc golf, and camping.
Email
541-322-2043
Zac is a graduate student in the mechanical engineering program at OSU. He received his B.S. in energy systems engineering from Oregon State University - Cascades in March of 2014. Zac joined the research team in May of 2013 and has been the primary programmer for the National Instruments controls and data acquisition system in the lab. During his time in the lab, Zac has also worked on solid modeling and mathematical modeling. Outside of the classroom, Zac has worked as a Wildland Firefighter and a Student Ambassador for OSU-Cascades. While not working on school or research, Zac enjoys running, biking, swimming, rock climbing, and playing rugby for the COCC Bobcats.
Zoe Lavrich
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Zoe has a B.S. in civil engineering from Boise State University and is now a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Oregon State University. Her work in the lab includes computational fluid dynamics and some LabVIEW programing. Outside of school she enjoys reading, cooking and hiking.
Michael Wittenburg
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Michael Wittenburg is an undergraduate student in energy systems engineering. With help from the Layman Fellowship, he joined the Energy Systems Lab in January 2018. Currently, he is working on electric motor testing and optimization for the UAV hybrid powertrain project. His roles include electronics/data analysis and implementation of brushless DC motors using a dynamometer. Outside of work, Mike enjoys trail running, camping, and watching soccer.
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Jennifer is an undergraduate majoring in energy systems engineering. She joined the Energy Systems Lab in November 2017. Most recently she worked on the Hydrogen Design Contest as an undergraduate researcher. Her interests outside of the lab include hiking, fishing, and playing with her dog and lizards.
Alumni
Walter Beckwith
Energy Systems Engineering
Walter graduated with a bachelor's degree in energy systems engineering in 2015. He is now a graduate student working in the Energy Systems Lab. Walter's ESL work involves: LabVIEW programming for test cell data acquisition, chemical kinetics modeling, natural gas fuel supply logistics, and gas compression systems. Walter is a former golf course designer/builder and an experienced aquarist who also enjoys mountain biking, disc golf, hiking, and engaging in the endless pursuit of the perfect sound system for his extensive collection of new, vintage and rare vinyl records.
Sean Brown
Sean joined the ESL team as an undergrad in 2014 and completed his undergrad thesis research on UAV engines. Sean graduated with his B.S. in mechanical engineering in March 2015 and started his M.S. shortly after. His research is on hybrid drive train systems for UAVs and is funded by NASA through the Graduate Aeronautics Scholarship. Other than internal combustion engines, Sean has worked extensively on rocket engine systems and some solid modeling. Outside of school Sean enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, biking and launching sounding rockets. Sean is currently interning at SpaceX.
Claire Cushing
Energy Systems Engineering
Claire graduated with her bachelor's in energy systems engineering with a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship. Her work with the Energy Systems Lab has primarily been with the UAV project, including airframe and small engine test stand assembly, and flight controls. Outside the lab, Claire enjoys running, cycling, backpacking, and horseback riding. Claire currently works at Cascade Energy, Inc.
Robert Elgin
Mechanical Engineering
Robert graduated with a master's in mechanical engineering from OSU in 2015 and is now a mechanical engineer at Onboard Dynamics, Inc. In the past he has worked as a manufacturing engineer and a design engineer as part of the MECOP program. In his spare time Robert enjoys running, basketball, hiking, and fishing. Robert currently works as an Operations Manager at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Nick Olson
Energy Systems Engineering
Nick graduated with a bachelor's in energy systems engineering and is currently employed as structural designer at Tobolski Watkins Engineering, Inc. in Bend. Hobbies include: skiing, golfing, waterskiing, riding his motorcycle, gardening, and spending time with his 4-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. Nick is now working at FuelSafe in Redmond, Oregon.
James Malone
Energy Systems Engineering
Now at BasX in Redmond, Oregon, James graduated in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in energy systems engineering and is currently employed as a design engineer at BasX Solutions in Redmond. James was the first undergraduate research assistant hired by Onboard Dynamics, Inc. - a company created to commercialize the research being conducted in the ESL. James’ passion outside of school is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he is both a Brown Belt under World Champion Walter "Cascao" Vital, and owner of a Central Oregon-based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training academy.
Josh Tibbitts
Energy Systems Engineering
Currently at Element One in Bend, Oregon, Josh is a 2013 graduate of the energy systems engineering program. Outside of his curriculum studies in energy systems, Josh has worked for a sustainable building and design firm, doing materials research and applying the knowledge he gained of the building industry in his past career as a contractor and builder. When he is not involved in research or studies, Josh spends his time hiking, biking, camping, and rock climbing in the Central Oregon wilderness.
Dusty Stewart
Energy Systems Engineering
Dusty was both the first to begin work on the CNG project with Dr. Hagen during the summer of 2012 and the first graduate of the ESE program at OSU-Cascades in fall of 2012. Among Dusty's contributions to the project were: selection and procurement of both the AC motor and VFD, initial layout and design of the test cell and dynamometer frame, and project management, up through June of 2013. Along with his degree, Dusty also completed a 6-month internship with Daimler Trucks North America as part of OSU's MECOP internship program.