Christopher Dalton, Ph.D., attended the University of Oklahoma where he received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a concentration in thermal sciences in 2010. Dr. Dalton will teach Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics and Freshman Engineering Experience at AME beginning fall 2015.
His research and background is in engineering education and K-12 STEM outreach.
Dr. Dalton is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
While Dr. Dalton was a Professor of Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he received the College of Engineering Teacher of the Year Award in 2013 and the Outstanding Advising Award in both 2013 and 2014.
As a three time graduate of OU AME, receiving his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, Dr. Dalton is no stranger to our school, “As an alumnus, I know the quality of education, facilities, faculty and students at OU,” said Dr. Dalton. “I am excited to return to the OU AME family.”
Thomas Hays, Ph.D., attended Oklahoma State University where he received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in the summer of 2015. Dr. Hays will teach Introduction to Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics at AME beginning fall 2015.
Dr. Hays’ research interests include small unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion, unmanned systems for weather research and forecasting, and practical unmanned aircraft systems design, fabrication and optimization.
He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society, Pi Tau Sigma National Mechanical Engineering Honor Society and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
Dr. Hays has big plans as he begins at AME, “I am eager to begin working with students to build their understanding of aircraft design and optimization while also creating opportunities for hands-on learning through flight testing student aircraft,” said Dr. Hays. “Composite fabrication, 3D printing and computer numerical control machining will be foundational skills required to complete student’s theoretical and practical education in aircraft design.”
Andrea L’Afflitto, Ph.D., received his doctorate degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in May 2015. Dr. L’Afflitto will teach Flight Controls beginning in the fall of 2015 and Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Control in the spring of 2016.
Dr. L’Afflitto’s research interests include state- and output-feedback optimal control theory, with applications ranging from coordination of unmanned aerial vehicle formations to robotics.
He is a member of the Technical Committee on Aerospace Control for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and is also a former Region One Deputy Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Young Professional Committee.
Dr. L’Afflitto is eager to begin his time at AME, “I look forward to interacting daily with the curious young minds of OU students,” said Dr. L’Afflitto. “I will include graduate and undergraduate students in my research while transmitting my passion for engineering and mathematics to the next generation.”