Faculty
Joseph E. Shepherd
C. L. "Kelly" Johnson Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering
Degrees and Appointments
B.S., University of South Florida, 1976; Ph.D., Caltech, 1981. Associate Professor, 1993-99; Professor of Aeronautics, 1999-2005; Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering, 2006-08; Johnson Professor, 2008-; Davis Leadership Chair, 2018-20; Dean of Graduate Studies, 2009-15; Vice President for Student Affairs, 2015-20.
Assistant(s)
Research Group Matters
Liza Bradulina
365 Guggenheim Lab
(626) 395-4426
lizabr@caltech.edu
Research Overview
Joe Shepherd's research focuses on transient combustion, high-speed flow, fluid-structure interaction, industrial (including nuclear power) and aviation safety. His explosion dynamics research group uses theory, numerical simulations and experiments in shock tubes, detonation tubes, flow reactors, and combustion vessels to study themal and spark ignition, flame and detonation propagation in a wide range of fuel-oxidizer systems relevant to propulsion and safety. He works with Prof. Austin' hypesonic flow research group and Prof. Hornung on high-enthalpy flow analyses and experimentation in the GALCIT T5, HET and Ludweig tube facilities.
Space-Related Research
Chemical propulsion systems; explosion hazards in launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Medical Engineering-Related Research
Autoinjector dynamics, in-situ measurements, numerical simulation and modeling.
List of Research Areas
combustion, explosion, detonation, shock waves, hypersonics, structural mechanics, fluid-structure interaction, nuclear power, aviation safety
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