People

James Braun (Principal Investigator)

James Braun is an assistant professor in the school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. He received his PhD from Purdue in 2019, performed a Research Master at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in 2015 and has a Master’s degree from the KU Leuven in Belgium (2014). Prior to joining NC State, he was an assistant research professor at Purdue University. He did a postdoc at Purdue and was an ORISE fellow working with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

In his free time, James enjoys snowboarding, traveling, and learning new languages.

The BEFAST group in Spring 2024

PhD Students

Kayla Gatsonis, PhD Candidate

Kayla completed her BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering at NC State University. Kayla enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and music.

Jack Grunenwald, PhD Candidate

Jack completed his BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University. He enjoys biking, trying new foods, and baking baguettes.

Edward Hurley

Edward completed their BS in Aerospace Engineering at NC State. They enjoy making scale models, meeting new people, and rearranging their furniture.

Jacob Leff

Jacob is pursuing his PhD in Aerospace after getting his Master’s here in 2022 and working in Huntsville for two years. He is an avid hiker and backpacker, especially in the mountains of California and Oregon.

Master’s Students

Sai Kiran Chikatimarla

Sai Kiran completed his BE in Mechanical Engineering at Osmania University, India. Sai Kiran enjoys sports, board games, and traveling.

James Fernandez

James completed his BS in Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. James enjoys football, golf, chess, and weight lifting.

Eduardo Leite de Moraes

Eduardo studied Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in the same field at NC State. Eduardo enjoys working on electronics projects and model aircraft.

Sebastian Perna

Sebastian has completed his BS in Aerospace Engineering at NC State and is now continuing his Master’s. He enjoys traveling, hiking, watching combat sports and playing soccer.

Frank Rice

Frank completed his BS in aerospace engineering in May 2024. He enjoys backpacking, fishing and working on watches.

Hadie Sabbah

Hadie earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering and in the spring of 2024. Hadie enjoys boxing, chess, and building things.

William Stigliano 

Will completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio Northern University. Will enjoys Chess, Hockey, and traveling.

Liam Stumbar

Liam completed his BS in Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. He enjoys music, guitar, camping, and cooking.

Undergraduate Students

Ben Delgado

Ben is pursuing his BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in Fall of 2025. Ben enjoys cooking, making music with friends, skiing, and chasing down the perfect burrito.

Stephen Harrington

Stephen is pursuing his BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in spring 2025. Stephen enjoys hiking, cooking, and weightlifting.

Ethan Jamroz

Ethan is pursuing his BS in Aerospace Engineering and is planning to graduate in Spring 2027. Ethan enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, rock climbing, scuba diving, traveling, and reading.

Trevor Larsen

Trevor is pursuing his BS in Aerospace Engineering and is planning to graduate in Spring 2025. Trevor enjoys flying airplanes, snowboarding, weightlifting, reading, and attending concerts.

Maddie McDaniel

Maddie is pursuing her BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in the spring of 2026. She enjoys reading, baking, playing soccer, and traveling.

Kierra Shook

Kierra is pursuing her BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in spring 2025. Kierra enjoys weightlifting, photography, baking, and is an aircraft enthusiast.

Matthew Spencer

Matthew is pursuing his BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in spring 2027. Matthew enjoys flying planes, playing piano, and geography.

Lauren Wilkie

Lauren is pursuing her BS in Aerospace Engineering and will graduate in spring 2026. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and film photography.

Past Members and Alumni

Shyanne Large (BSc 2024)

Cameron Brown (Bsc 2024)

Riley Bramwell (Bsc 2024)