Ashley and Greg performed summer research at Boeing Seattle
Graduate Students
Remelisa Esteves
estevesr_at_knights.ucf.edu
Remelisa Esteves joined the lab as a graduate student in the fall of 2017. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering with a focus on space systems design and engineering at UCF. She earned her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in 2016. Her interest in research began when she worked as an undergraduate researcher at ERAU, where she studied fluid properties of eco-friendly surfactant solutions and their applications to engineering systems. As a graduate student, she leads a project that involves optimizing the piezospectroscopic method, a nondestructive testing technique that utilizes photoluminescence spectroscopy for monitoring stress and damage in structures, to translate it towards commercial viability in the aerospace industry. This project is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program, which allows Remelisa to work in collaboration with Boeing. From June 2018 to December 2018, she works as an intern with Boeing to continue her research in piezospectroscopy while gaining industry experience. Remelisa is passionate about airplanes and strives to broaden her knowledge in aerospace structures and materials. She also enjoys doing arts and crafts, playing video games, working out, traveling, learning new languages and reading.

Johnathan Hernandez
hjohnathan2177_at_knights.ucf.edu
Johnathan Hernandez is currently pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering with a focus on thermal fluids. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he worked in the ALOX and CMAS teams supporting experiments using Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy to characterize materials such as high temperature turbine coatings and stress-sensing smart coatings. He is now leading a new project based on non-destructive techniques of undercoating corrosion detection. Johnathan has a passion for propulsion systems, specifically nozzle design and combustion phenomena. During his free time, he enjoys playing computer games, CADing systems, and enjoying the company of friends and family.
Matthew Northam
Matt is pursuing a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on Space Systems Design and Engineering. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2016 at UCF, then worked for two years as a design engineer at American Civil Engineering Company in Orlando before deciding to devote his time to research and to pursue a graduate degree in the Aerospace field. He is interested in orbital and structural mechanics as well as materials science. He joined the lab in Fall 2016 as an undergraduate studying CMAS effects on TBCs, then rejoined in Spring 2018 to work on PS-PVD TBCs. In his free time, he enjoys listening to fictional audiobooks, traveling, and playing sports.


alexander.olvera001_at_knights.ucf.edu
Alexander is a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and is interested in aerospace structures and materials research. He received his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at UCF. Alex is currently on the ALOX team. He completed an Associate of Arts degree at Miami Dade College before finishing high school via a dual enrollment program. His hobbies include drawing and playing the piano. Alex joined the lab in September 2018.