VDOL
Current and former members of the Vehicle Dynamics and Optimization Laboratory.
Dr. Rao earned his BS in mechanical engineering and AB in mathematics with distinction from Cornell University, his MSE in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan, and his MA and PhD from Princeton University. He is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida and directs the Vehicle Dynamics and Optimization Laboratory.
Arin joined the laboratory in Fall 2024 and is pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Her research interests include solving optimal control problems with nonsmooth solutions.
Emily joined the laboratory in Summer 2021 and is pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Her research interests include numerical methods for optimal control of aerospace vehicles.
Alex joined the laboratory in Spring 2023 and is pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. His interests include numerical methods, computational mathematics, and optimal control.
Katrina joined the laboratory in Spring 2023 and is pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Her research interests include trajectory optimization of hypersonic vehicles.
Gabriela joined the laboratory in January 2021. Her research interests include numerical and computational methods for optimal control problems with nonsmooth solutions.
George's interests include orbital mechanics, numerical and computational methods, and optimal control.
Cale's interests include numerical and computational methods for optimal guidance and control of aerospace vehicles.
Brittanny's research focused on low-thrust interplanetary orbital trajectory optimization.
Elisha's interests include numerical and computational methods for optimal control and singular optimal control.
Alex's interests include guidance, navigation, and control of aerospace vehicles and numerical methods for optimal control.
Rachel's interests include optimal control, stochastic processes, and probabilistically constrained optimal control.
Miriam's interests include numerical methods for optimal control and guidance and control of vehicles.
Yunus earned his PhD in aerospace engineering in August 2019.
Kathryn's research focus was low-thrust trajectory optimization.
Fengjin's research focused on computational methods for optimal control.
Begum's research focused on computational methods for optimal control and sparse linear solvers.
Matthew's dissertation focused on algorithmic differentiation and applications in numerical methods and optimal control.
Camila's interests include numerical solutions to differential equations, optimal control theory, and computational methods for optimal control.
Michael's interests include trajectory optimization, guidance and control of aerospace vehicles, and numerical methods for optimal control.
Divya earned her PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida in August 2011.
Christopher earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2011.
Geoffrey earned his PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 2007 and later worked in guidance, navigation, and control.