Jason M Merret

For More Information

• Video: Aerospace Engineering Faculty in Focus: Jason Merret

Education

• Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, December 2004, “Reentry Vehicle Aerodynamics and Control at Very High Angle of Attack”
• Ph.D. Adviser: Michael B Bragg
• Dissertation: Reentry Vehicle Aerodynamics and Control at Very High Angle of Attack
• M.S., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, December 2001, “Effect of Atmospheric Disturbances and Aircraft Icing on Performance and Control”
• B.S., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May 1999 Graduated with University Honors, “Bronze Tablet”; Graduated with Highest Honors (College of Engineering)

Academic Positions

• Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, July. 2018-Present
• Adjunct Faculty. Taught aerospace oriented classes for the Gulfstream and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Master’s Program. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 06/10-05/18

Research Interests

• Aircraft Design, Applied Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics, Experimental Aerodynamics

Articles in Conference Proceedings

• White, A., Waddington, E., Greitzer, E., Merret, J., Ansell, P., Hall, D., “Trade-Space Assessment of Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion Systems for Electrified Aircraft,” AIAA Paper No. 2023-4345, AIAA Aviation Forum 2023.
• Zheng, W. and Merret J., “Drag Reduction Techniques for eVTOL Configuration with Shrouded Rotors,” AIAA Paper No. 2023-0032, AIAA SciTech Forum 2023.
• White, A., Waddington, E., Merret, J., Greitzer, E., Ansell, P., Hall, D., “Impact of LH2Fuel Cell-Electric Propulsion on Aircraft Configuration and Integration,” AIAA Paper No. 2022-3291, AIAA Aviation Forum 2022.
• Waddington, E., Merret, J., and Ansell, P., “System-level Utilization of Low-grade, MW-scale Thermal Loads for Electric Aircraft,” AIAA Paper No. 2022-2409, AIAA Aviation Forum 2022.
• Rentsch, R. and Merret, J., "Developing training programs for Airworthiness Engineering", ASEE Paper #35334, in Proceedings of the 2021 ASEE Middle Atlantic Conference, Villanova, PA, April 2021.
• Hascaryo, R., and Merret, J., "Configuration-Independent Initial Sizing Method for UAM/eVTOL Vehicles", AIAA Paper No 2020-2630, 2020 AIAA Aviation Forum and Exposition, Reno, NV, 2020.
• Durston, D. A., Cliff, S. E., Wayman, T., Merret J., Elmiligui, A., and Bangert, L.: “Near-Field Sonic Boom Test on Two Low-Boom Configurations Using Multiple Measurement Techniques at NASA Ames,” 29th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Honolulu, HI, June 2011.
• Wayman, T., Hicks, G., and Merret, J., “Force and Moment Test on a Low Boom Configuration in Glenn’s 8x6 Wind Tunnel,” AIAA Paper No. 2011-3332, 29th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Honolulu, HI, 2011.
• Hirt, S. M., Tacina, K. M., Conners, T. R., Merret, J. M., and Howe, D. C., ”CFD Results for an Axisymmetric Isentropic Relaxed Compression Inlet,” AIAA Paper No. 2008-0092, 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 7-10, 2008.
• Tacina, K. M., Hirt, S. M.,Conners, T. R., Merret, J. M., and Howe, D. C., ”Dynamic Analysis of Wind Tunnel Data from an Isentropic Relaxed Compression Inlet,” AIAA Paper No. 2007-5073, 43rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, July 8-11, 2007.
• Conners, T. R., Merret, J. M., Howe, D. C., Tacina, K. M., and Hirt, S. M., “Wind Tunnel Testing of an Axisymmetric Isentropic Relaxed External Compression Inlet at Mach 1.97 Design Speed,” AIAA Paper No. 2007-5066, 43rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Cincinnati, OH, July, 8 – 11 2007.

Professional Societies

• AIAA Aircraft Design Technical Committee Forums Sub-Committee Chair, 2019-Current
• AIAA Aviation Technical Co-Chair 2018-Current
• AIAA Aircraft Design Technical Committee 2012-Current, Member
• AIAA Aircraft Design Technical Committee 2015-2018, DBF Representative
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Fellow

Honors

• Stanley H. Pierce Faculty Award (2023)
• University of Illinois Department of Aerospace Engineering Outstanding Recent Alumnus (2014)
• H. S. Stillwell A.A.E. Department Award (1999)
• Stanley H. Pierce College of Engineering Student Award (1999)
• Robert W. McCloy A.A.E. Department Award (1998)

Teaching Honors

• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 1st Place (Spring 2023)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 3rd Place (Spring 2022)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 2nd Place (Spring 2022)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - Honorable Mention (Spring 2021)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 3rd Place (Spring 2020)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 1st Place (Spring 2020)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 3rd Place (Spring 2019)
• AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition Faulty Advisor - 2nd Place (Spring 2019)
• List of Teachers Ranked Excellent by their Students (Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)

Other Honors

• Robert J. Collier Trophy (Team Member) (2014)

Recent Courses Taught

• AE 199 DBF - Design, Build, Fly
• AE 199 SAB - Student Aircraft Builders
• AE 442 A1 (AE 442 AOL) - Aerospace Systems Design I
• AE 443 A1 (AE 443 AOL) - Aerospace Systems Design II
• AE 542 - Aerospace Syst Engineering I
• AE 543 - Aerospace Syst Engineering II
• ENG 572 - Professional Practicum
• ENG 573 - Aerospace Systems Engineering
• ENG 573 - Capstone Project