New Faculty Join UA Engineering

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Kyle Hanquist

Kyle Hanquist joins the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering as an assistant professor after earning his doctoral degree in aerospace engineering and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

His research works to model complex phenomena, with a recent focus on computational hypersonics, including investigating cooling mechanisms for the leading edges of hypersonic vehicles flying at 5 miles per second. He’s still acclimating to the heat of Tucson after living in Michigan, but says it’s only fitting to live in the desert, since he studies high-temperature air.

"The UA really stood out compared to other opportunities,” he said. “The people both at the university and around town are super friendly, and my research aligned well with the department and local industry."

Bernard Parent

Bernard Parent comes to AME after 11 years as an associate professor of aerospace engineering at Pusan National University in South Korea.

His research focuses on the numerical simulation of plasma and reactive flows, such as those used in aerodynamic flow control. His laboratory has developed more computationally efficient methods for understanding plasma behavior in hypersonics, combustion and fuel reforming.

His biggest draw to the UA was his new department.

“There are several professors whose fields of expertise complement mine,” he said. “Collaborations make it possible to go after problems that would be impossible to tackle on my own.”