–Rabbi Nochem Kaplan

Ajay Katta received his B. Tech in Aeronautical Engineering from the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad, India. His major area of interest in was Aerodynamics and Propulsion. His undergraduate project was entitled “Design of Bi-propellant Rocket Engine” and it involved the theoretical design of a liquid rocket engine using optimization theory. His predictions compared favorably with hot test result of a 200 kg thruster. Presently, he is pursuing his MS at The University of Tennessee Space Institute with Professor Majdalani. As a Graduate Research Assistant at the Advanced Theoretical Research Center of UTSI, he will be working with Dr Majdalani in the area of flow instability.  He is the recipient of the 2006 Lloyd Crawford Award.