Engineer Mechanical

Maher Lagha, Ph.D.

Torrance, CA *****. Mobile: 310-***-****, *****.*****@*****.***

www.maherlagha.com

Summary

A Mechanical Engineer with more than 8 years experience in developing and managing CFD solvers in di erent areas. Proven success carrying fundamental fluid mechanics research and quick problems solving. Known for high energy and flexibility in working with diverse audiences. Exceeds students and company expectations consistently.

Fluid Mechanics CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Thermo/Aerodynamics Turbulence modeling Analytical models development Navier-Stokes solvers development Supersonic flow Shock capturing Mesh generation

Professional Experience

General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio 2012 - 2016 CFD Lead Engineer

As a CFD lead engineer in the Computational Fluid Dynamics Section, served as the technical manager for GE main turbomachinery in-house flow solver (Tacoma) and post-processor (Nplot3d). Streamlined and prioritized new features implementations vs. business needs and resources. Implemented a new rotor boundary condition taking into account the e ect of the upstream stator. Developed a new turbulence model for the near-wall region to be used as a sub-grid model in future LES development. Results were published in a journal paper (see below). Implemented a 3D mesh smoother using the analytical definition (NURBS) of the blade surface, allowing for a quick mesh regeneration when morphing the blade surface or changing the endwall contouring. Reduced the iteration time during the design process. Designed and developed a method to postprocess the flow data on the throat area (the 3D surface between two adjacent blades), allowing for the accurate calculation of the mass flow across the throat area and providing a better estimation of the engine e ciency (previously it was approximated by a 2D surface like a cut plane). Developed a fast method to produce smoother isosurfaces from a 3D field using a finite-element like method. Previous method often generated wrinkly surfaces near high curvature areas. UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 2008 - 2012

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Investigated the physics of hypersonic turbulent flow: The reentry problem of space vehicles. Work sup- ported by NASA research grant (PI. Prof J. Kim).

Developed and implemented highly scalable numerical methods using MPI to simulate hypersonic flow Derived low-order models to understand turbulence physics in hypersonic flow Predicted shock occurrence and high-temperature regions (ablation). Teaching Experience

Applied Mathematics Lecturer, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Winter 2010 Course titled: Applied Partial Di erential Equations. Responsibilities: Lecture 4 hours a week Students rating: 7.58/9 “good” Applied Mathematics Lecturer, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Spring 2010 Course titled: Ordinary Di erential Equations. Responsibilities: Lecture 4 hours a week Students rating: 7.91/9 “outstanding” Fluid Mechanics Lecturer, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Winter 2011 Course titled: Intermediate Fluid Mechanics. Responsibilities: Lecture 4 hours a week Students rating: 8.45/9 “outstanding” Education

Ph.D Fluid Mechanics

Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France 2007

Thesis title: “Modeling the Transition to Turbulence in Plane Couette Flow” Thesis supported by grant “Bourse d’Excellence Gaspard Monge de l’Ecole Polytechnique” Masters degree in Fluid Mechanics

Universit e Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France 2003 Engineering Degree

Ecole Centrale de Marseille, France 2002

Research Projects

Numerical modeling of the Abdominal Aneurysm, Marseille Summer 2002 Student member of biomedical group developing heart valves. Key achievements: Developed the ideal geometry of an aneurysm and generated its mesh using Gambit Performed CFD using Fluent to simulate the blood flow Wrote UDFs to compute the wall shear stress and other flow characteristics Numerical study of the fluid dynamics in the Tesla Valve, Miami, FL Summer 2001 Research internship at the Biomedical Institute (FIU). Key achievements: Defined key parameters of the Tesla valve and performed CFD-based design optimization Selected publications

Modeling transitional plane Couette flow,

Maher Lagha & Paul Manneville,

Eur. Phys. J. B 58, 433-447 (2007).

Modeling of plane Couette flow. I. Large scale flow around turbulent spots, Maher Lagha & Paul Manneville,

Physics of Fluids 19 (9), 094105 (2007).

Modeling of plane Couette flow. II. On the spreading of a turbulent spot, Maher Lagha,

Physics of Fluids 19 (10), 104108 (2007).

Turbulent spots and waves in a model for plane Poiseuille flow, Maher Lagha,

Physics of Fluids 19 (12), 124103 (2007).

Hybrid numerical scheme for the simulation of boundary layer/shock interaction, M. Lagha, X. Zhong, J. Eldredge, J. Kim,

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2009-1136, (2009). A numerical study of supersonic turbulent boundary layers up to M =20, M. Lagha, J. Kim, J. Eldredge & X. Zhong,

Physics of Fluids 23 (1), 015106 (2011).

Near-wall dynamics of compressible boundary layers, M. Lagha, J. Kim, J. Eldredge & X. Zhong,

Physics of Fluids 23 (6), 065109 (2011).

A comprehensible low-order model for wall turbulence dynamics, Maher Lagha,

Physics of Fluids 26 (8), 085111 (2014). (While at GE Aviation) Skills

Language skills: Arabic, French, English

Computer skills: Linux, C/C++, parallel programing with MPI, Ansys Fluent/CFX (Bio-microfluidic sim- ulations, Fluid/structure interaction), Catia v5, NX, Vericut. Able to use Google in 3 languages. Citizenship

US, French, Tunisian.

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