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About Piyush Mehta

I am an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering with a keen focus on tackling the challenges related to orbital/satellite drag in space situational awareness and atmospheric re-entry. My diverse research interests encompass reduced-order modeling of higher-order and high-dimensional systems, data assimilation, and model calibration. I excel in data-driven inference and investigations of dynamics and variations, as well as rarefied gas dynamics simulations, particularly in the context of gas-surface interactions. I have made significant contributions to probabilistic re-entry modeling and simulation, along with developing advanced aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic models for re-entry phenomena.

My work has been recognized with the prestigious "Outstanding Researcher of the Year" award at the junior level, and I have also received the esteemed Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. The CAREER award will support my groundbreaking research in developing a state-of-the-art model of thermosphere mass density, enhancing my understanding, modeling, and forecasting capabilities of the upper atmosphere's variability.

Education

• Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, University of Kansas, 2013
• B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Kansas, 2009