This past school year, Elsa Perez Abella, a sophomore mechanical engineering student, participated in a research project at the Aerosystems Dynamics Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz. She focused on improving the efficiency of wind-tunnel based oil film surface flow visualization technique to make it simple, cost effective and an accurate application for aerodynamic flow analysis. She refined the oil film mixture to make it fluorescent under UV light and enhance the detail observable with clear flow patterns. In collaboration with a PhD student, she co-authored a research paper summarizing their methodology and findings, which she presented at the 2026 AIAA Region I Student Conference in Maryland. Elsa describes her experience by saying “My main takeaway was that engineering extends beyond technical knowledge, emphasizing iteration, communication, adaptability to unexpected results, and continuous learning.” In praising her research, Dr. Aboelezz notes “Elsa was a very dedicated undergraduate researcher who showed a strong interest in learning and contributing to the project. She did an excellent job engaging with the research process, and her work reflects both technical growth and professionalism.”
Categories:
