People

Jason Allison joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2016 as an Air Plant Technician, and now works as Senior Process Plant Technician. He helps maintain the Air Plant equipment and pilot the Air Plant during test campaigns. Before joining Notre Dame Power & Propulsion, Jason spent five years at Peak Audio Productions operating at Senior Sound Engineer.

Andrew Bishop joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2023 as a test engineer. Andrew Bishop is a 2019 graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Before joining ND P&P, Andrew Bishop spent four years as a test engineer at SimuTech Group, Inc. focusing on mechanical loads and power performance testing of utility scale onshore wind turbines.

Jeff Clark joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2018 as Turbomachinery Technician. Jeff is a 2007 graduate of Northwestern of Ohio with a degree in Applied Science. Before joining ND P&P, Jeff spent five years as a Ford dealership automotive technician and five years as a foundry operator.

Evan DeClercq joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2021. He is responsible for the setup, commissioning, and testing activities. Before joining ND P&P, Evan spent 10 years as a test engineer at Honeywell Aerospace where he led testing for aircraft fuel controls, actuators, wheels, and brakes. Evan earned both his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering technology from Purdue University, and his FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate in 2011.

Fred Fuller joined the Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2018 after 23 years with GE Energy. He presently uses his expertise and experience to work with customers to achieve their testing requirements which could include facility creation or modifications, high-end instrumentation creation/application, and program leadership. Fred earned his Mechanical Engineering B.S. at the University of Maine at Orono and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Union College in Schenectady, NY.

Jim Gorski is a Senior Turbomachinery Technician who has been a valuable member of the ND P&P team since March 2015. Prior to joining the lab, Jim worked as an automotive technician/towing and recovery agent.

At ND P&P, Jim has demonstrated expertise in performing teardown and build-up of test articles and test cells, as well as instrumenting of cells and rigs. He has also shown his ability to troubleshoot and diagnose issues on the fly, an important skill in the fast-paced environment of a research laboratory.

Nathan Harris joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in September 2023. Prior to joining ND P&P, Nathan worked at Blue Origin, where he served as Senior Director/Site Leader over Blue Origin’s Rocket Engine Production Facility in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition, Nathan brings over 19 years of Aerospace engine experience from Rolls-Royce Corporation. While at Rolls he served in a number of leadership positions across Programs, Operations, Engineering and Business Development. Nathan holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University.

Jim Hock, Jr. is a Senior Technician at ND P&P, having joined the lab in 2011. Before coming to ND P&P, Jim worked as a construction electrician for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). As a Senior Technician, Jim's contributions to the lab's research efforts have been essential to the achievement of its mission.

Jimmy R. Jones is a Turbomachinery Designer II who joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2011. His primary responsibility in this role is to assist with the design of test rig components and instrumentation, as well as facility updates, using the NX CAD system.

Prior to joining ND P&P, Jimmy worked at several companies in the aerospace, automotive, and welding industries. He spent 19 years at AlliedSignal Aerospace as a hydromechanical lab technician and as a product designer working on fuel control systems for jet engines. He also worked for Robert Bosch Automotive for seven years as a lab technician and senior product designer, where he designed brake systems for the automotive industry. Jimmy spent four years as a machine designer at MTI, a company specializing in inertia friction stir welding.

In 1993, Jimmy completed a tooling and fixture design diploma from Acme Institute of Technology. In 2006, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University.

Jeongseek Kang serves as the Associate Director, Research and Technology and Principal Research Scientist at Notre Dame Power & Propulsion. He leads multiple R&D programs on compressors and turbines for next-generation gas turbine or supercritical carbon dioxide-based energy system as a principal investigator, a project lead, and a science focal. His research interest includes the aeromechanics of compressor and turbine for advanced gas turbine, supercritical CO2 turbomachinery, and advanced measurement technology. Jeongseek received his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the Seoul National University in 2002 and served as a senior researcher at Korea Aerospace Research Institute for 12 years before he joined NDTL in 2015.

Ryan T. Kelly is a Research Scientist at Notre Dame Power & Propulsion. He serves as the programmatic and technical lead for multiple research programs. Ryan's research interests include computational fluid dynamics, reduced order modeling, experimental automation and control methods, secondary flows, and casing treatments. Ryan Kelly holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University (2009) and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2015).

John Martin joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2016 as a Process Air Plant Technician. John runs the air plant to support testing and works to maintain the mechanical integrity of the air plant. Before joining ND P&P John spent 15 years with Meijer as a maintenance technician.

Brian McGrath has a diverse professional background, having served in the U.S.A. Air Force for four years right after completing high school. He was trained as a Ground Support Equipment Mechanic during his time in the Air Force. After leaving the military, Brian spent 17 years as an Automobile Technician at a Chevrolet dealership.

Brian also has a Trade School Degree in Electrical Technician, which he obtained after completing a one-year program at Kaplan Career Institute. He then spent six years working at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, where he supported Delta Airlines' Ground Support Equipment.

Currently, Brian is a Turbomachinery Technician at Notre Dame, having joined the team on November 1, 2017. His extensive experience as a mechanic and electrical technician, along with his previous work in ground support equipment maintenance, has prepared him well for his current role in supporting the research efforts of ND P&P.

Harold joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2021. He is responsible for providing project management support for a wide variety of development and test projects. The support includes reporting on cost and schedule along with procurement and customer communication. Before joining ND P&P, he was a principal project engineer at Honeywell where his experience included aircraft wheel and brake development as well as turbine engine fuel control and actuation design, development, and production. Harold has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University South Bend.

Beata joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2014. She serves as the Associate Director of Finance and Business Operations, NDP&P. Before taking this role, Beata worked for three years in the Notre Dame Research Administration, supporting the faculty of the College of Engineering. In her current role, Beata leads business operations of the ND P&P, including human resources, project management, IT support, financial management and reporting, proposals support, and business operations. Before moving to the USA, Beata worked as a Program Office Manager and a Sourcing Manager at GlaxoSmithKline in Poland. She holds an MSE degree from the Poznan University of Technology.

Maricela joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2023. She provides administrative support to leadership, staff, and customers. Maricela is a 2015 graduate of Indiana University South Bend with a degree in General Studies and a Spanish Minor. Before joining ND P&P, Maricela spent 5 years at the South Bend Community School Corporation in a variety of roles from Migrant Family Outreach to Multilingual Program Coordinator and Career and Technical Education Dual Credit & Testing Coordinator.

Tom Nieter joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2020. He is responsible for providing programmatic and transactional expertise and leadership to ensure the successful execution of programs. Before joining, Tom worked for over 30 years in the Aerospace Industry within the Engineering and Program Management fields. Tom brings experience in program management, as well as designing, developing, and testing aircraft fuel systems and wheel and brake systems.

Alexander Perry is a Senior Test Engineer for Notre Dame Power & Propulsion. He joined the lab in January 2015 as an entry Test Engineer working with a great team in the Transonic Research Turbine test cell at the White Field research facility. At ND P&P, Alex has expanded and shared his skills in advanced instrumentation, data acquisition, data analysis, and controls. Alex is currently acting as test lead for small-scale compressor programs and providing expertise and guidance for his direct colleagues, the lab in general, and its sponsors. Alex earned a BSME degree from Purdue University in Spring 2014.

Ben Riggles joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion as Test Engineering Manager in August of 2023. Prior to joining ND P&P, he was the Test Engineering and Site Manager of the Badger Propulsion Test Facility for Sierra Space in North Freedom, Wisconsin. There he managed the testing of space propulsion systems as well as the operations and maintenance of the test site. Prior to his work at Sierra Space, Ben served in the United States Air Force for 12 years in explosive ordnance disposal and engineering. Ben holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Mark H. Ross is a Research Liaison Program Manager at Notre Dame Power & Propulsion, where he leads fundamental research efforts in the Front-Stage Core Compressor (FSCC) and Advanced Noise Control Fan (ANCF) facilities. He serves as a technical advisor to project teams on test engineering, experimental methods, and data analysis.

Ross holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2014). His doctoral research focused on developing a physics-based approach to circumferential groove casing treatment design for transonic axial compressors. His research interests include casing treatment technologies for aerodynamic, aeromechanical, and aeroacoustic applications in compressors. He is also interested in aerodynamic and aeromechanical impacts of distorted inflows on fans and compressors, reacting flows, and novel control technologies for noise reduction from vehicles and propulsors. 

Elinor Rowe joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion as a Test Engineer in December of 2021. She is responsible for test process development and documentation, design, calibration, and troubleshooting of instrumentation, software, and hardware for the various test rigs that partner with ND P&P. In her short time with ND P&P, she has been involved in the development and testing of 13 different projects. Elinor graduated from Oklahoma State University in May of 2021 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Jason Sass joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2022 as a Turbomachinery Technician. Before joining ND P&P, Jason spent 25 years working as a Master ASE automotive technician in both the private and public sectors. Jason is also a Master ASE heavy equipment technician. Jason specialized in emergency vehicles, including unique projects involving hybrids and compressed natural gas.

Kelly Sauerwein began her career in research while in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Exercise Physiology, with a focus in clinical research. Her career spans from working with human subjects, developing consent forms, working with IRBs, as well as post-market surveillance and grants management. Prior to joining Notre Dame Research, Kelly served as Senior Grants Manager for a small educational non-profit in Colorado, Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology. Here, she oversaw the federal grant portfolio and was the primary point of contact with Program Officers and Grants Specialists at the NIH. She also worked with scientists from across the globe on grant submissions, as well as with other funders, such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

Edward Standen joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion at the beginning of 2026. Edward graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering in 2009. He completed his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2025. Prior to joining Notre Dame Power & Propulsion, he served in the US Navy as Nuclear Technician and trainer, a Product Development Engineer at Whirlpool and Dometic, and a Electrical Product Safety Engineer for Stryker Medical Instruments. 

Austin Stewart joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2016 as an Associate Turbomachinery Technician. He manages the logistics operations involved in shipping and receiving for the organization, as well as sourcing and acquiring components and supplies for ND P&P's research activities.

Will Stewart is an experienced engineer who joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2016 as a senior design engineer. He has been the design lead on several compressor rig projects. Additionally, Will has designed some of the Lab's facilities, including a 1.5-meter diameter annular exhaust restriction valve for compressors.

With over 25 years of experience as an engineer in the aerospace and automotive sectors, Will is well-versed in the fields of mechanical design, structural analysis, heat transfer, and manufacturing methods. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Joshua D. Szczudlak is the Senior Associate Director at ND Propulsion & Power, where he leads a variety of experimental and numerical projects. He has extensive experience in running high energy, complex test programs, which include single-stage axial and centrifugal compressors, high speed propulsion components and systems. He led the development of ND P&P's simulated high Mach direct connect facilities including the high-speed combustion and turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine test cell.

Szczudlak received his Ph.D. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2019) under the direction of Scott C. Morris. His doctoral work focused on the study of complex flow interactions present in turbomachines, focusing on the aero and thermal performance of turbine nozzles.

Alexander Vorobiev joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in 2016 as a Senior Test Engineer, and now works as a Staff Scientist. Alexander Vorobiev holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2010) and M.S. in Applied Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (1992).

Douglas Wise joined Notre Dame Power & Propulsion in November 2020 as Project Leader for the Carrier alternative working fluids test cell construction project. He now serves as Sr. Technical Program Manager responsible for schedule, budget and customer relationship on several turbine testing programs. Douglas is a 1986 graduate of the University of Dayton with a degree in mechanical engineering. Before joining ND P&P, Douglas spent 32 in the aerospace industry with Honeywell International in various project engineering, product development and customer service engineer roles. While with Honeywell he also earned an Executive MBA degree in 2009 from the University of Notre Dame.