Board 122: Impact of Undergraduate Research Experiences on Diverse National and International Undergraduate Researchers

Abstract

His research is focused on computational plasma modeling using spectral and lattice Boltzmann methods for studying plasma turbulence and plasma jets. His research has also included fluid physics and electric propulsion using Lattice-Boltzmann methods, spectral element methods, Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO), etc. Past research includes modeling single and multi-species plasma flows through ion thruster optics and the discharge cathode assembly; computer simulations of blood flow interacting with blood vessels; modeling ocean-air interaction; reacting flow systems; modeling jet engine turbomachinery going unstable at NASA for 6 years (received NASA Performance Cash awards). Dr. Richard is involved in many outreach activities: e.g., tutoring, mentoring, directing related grants (for example, a grant for an NSF REU site). Dr, Richard is active in professional societies (American Physical Society (APS), American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), etc.), ASEE, ASME. Dr. Richard has authored or co-authored about 25 technical articles (19 of which are refereed publications). Dr. Richard teaches courses ranging from first-year introductory engineering design, fluid mechanics, to space plasma propulsion.

Impact of Research Experience Programs on National and International Undergraduate Engineering Students

“…While 33 national and international undergraduate students participated in 10-week summer REU programs at the same university with similar research environments and social activities, their expectations and experiences were not the same. The findings from the two-years data on career goals, self-efficacy, and perceptions showed similar patterns from the one-year data [40]. To supplement quantitative results for discussion, we sampled quotes from the students' responses to the open-ended questions on career goals and research expectations and experiences and their comments on the programs.…”