Institutional Leads

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TODD GRIFFITH
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering
University of Texas at Dallas
tgriffith@utdallas.edu 
Website

  • Texas A&M University, Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (2004)
  • University of Kentucky, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (2000)
  • University of Kentucky, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1998)
  • Morehead State University, B.S. in Physics, (1998)

Dr. Griffith is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering in University of Texas at Dallas.  His current research focuses on large rotor technology development (e.g., Sandia 100 m blades, 50 MW Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotors), large-scale floating offshore vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) development, aero-elasticity of renewable energy systems, structural health monitoring & prognostics management methods, and marine hydro-kinetics technology (MHK).

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KATHRYN JOHNSON
Associate Professor
Electrical Engineering
Colorado School of Mines
kjohnson@mines.edu

  • University of Colorado, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (2000 – 2004)
  • University of Colorado, M.S. in Electrical Engineering (2000 – 2002)
  • Clarkson University, B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1996 – 2000)

Dr. Johnson’s current research focuses on control systems applied to wind energy systems at both the turbine and wind farm levels. Her group designs and analyzes controllers that aim to reduce the cost of wind energy by increasing energy capture, decreasing component loads and associated costs, and evaluating fault detection and fault tolerant control strategies. She also conducts research in engineering education.

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ERIC LOTH
Professor and Associate Chair
Aerospace Engineering
University of Virginia
loth@virginia.edu
Resume

  • University of Michigan, Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (1985 -1988)
  • Pennsylvania State University, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (1984 – 1985)
  • West Virginia University, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (1979-1983)

Dr. Loth’s current research focuses on unsteady fluid dynamics including micro- and nano-texturing coatings for self-cleaning, fluid dynamics and heat transfer of energy-storage systems, inlet aerodynamics of supersonic aircraft and of helicopters, as well as bio-inspired morphing wind turbines to reduce off-shore cost of energy.

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LUCY PAO
Professor, Electrical, Computer, & Energy Engineering
Professor (by courtesy), Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Fellow, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute
University of Colorado Boulder
pao@colorado.edu
Resume

  • Stanford University, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (1988-1992)
  • Stanford University, M.S. in Electrical Engineering (1987-1988)
  • Stanford University, B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1985-1987)

Professor Pao’s current research focuses on combined feedforward and feedback control of flexible structures, with applications ranging from atomic force microscopy to disk drives to digital tape drives to megawatt wind turbines and wind farms. She enjoys observing and working to understand common properties and characteristics of systems found across different types of systems in disparate application areas.

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SCOTT SCHRECK
Principal Engineer
Scott.Schreck@nrel.gov
University of Colorado, Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences

  • Air Force Institute of Technology, M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering
  • United States Air Force Academy, B.S. in Engineering Sciences

Scott Schreck joined NREL’s National Wind Technology Center in 1998, and since then has served in diverse roles within the center, ranging from basic and applied research to utility scale technology development.   At present, he leads various large-scale experimental efforts, supported by both DOE and industry partners, which are aimed at understanding the fluid mechanics of the wind turbine, wind plant, and atmosphere, as the determinants of energy production and machine structural loads.

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MICHAEL SELIG
Professor
Aerospace Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • The Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (1988-1992)
  • Princeton University, M.S.E. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (1984-1988)
  • University of Illinois, B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (1980-1984)

Professor Selig specializes in low speed aerodynamics, in particular, wind energy, low Reynolds number aerodynamics, experimental aerodynamics, airfoil design, wind tunnel testing, and real-time flight simulation, including aircraft icing upset simulation and modeling.  His expertise has been applied to kilowatt through multi-megawatt scale wind turbines, unmanned aerial vehicle systems design and analysis, record-breaking solar-powered aircraft, wing-sail and appendage design for racing yachts, and wing designs for indycars and Formula 1.