Melvin Rafi is a new instructor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
He was most recently a postdoctoral research fellow at the General Aviation Flight Lab at Wichita State University and also served as an adjunct lecturer in their Department of Aerospace Engineering, where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Engineering Mechanics. He earned his BS (2007), MS (2013), and PhD (2020) degrees in Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University.
Melvin's area of specialization is in aircraft flight dynamics, control, and simulation. His recent research has focused on developing adaptive methods towards predicting the onset of aircraft loss-of-control, developing augmented-reality pilot advisory displays to promote safer flight, and quantifying the effects of atmospheric turbulence on aircraft gust loads.
His earlier endeavors involved research into adaptive resilient control systems for general aviation aircraft. During his time at the General Aviation Flight Lab, he also led a team in the design and build of a research-oriented flight simulator. Melvin is also a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Intelligent Systems Technical Committee.
Beyond research and academic pursuits, he is an avid aviation enthusiast, a private pilot, and has a keen interest in digital 3D design visualization, modeling, and animation. He is excited to join the team at CU Boulder this Fall and looks forward to sharing his passion for aerospace and aviation in his teaching.