Joseph Chiapperi
Research Assistant
BACKGROUND
I am from Rochester, a smaller city in western New York. From a young age, I was always fascinated by aviation and engineering. This fascination sent me to Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering (Honors). While attending Clarkson, I worked multiple summer internships with GE Aviation in various locations throughout the Northeast. In addition to this industry work, I gained research experience through my undergraduate honors thesis in airfoil optimization, and leadership skills through my captainship of the ASME Human-Powered Vehicle team. During my time at Clarkson, I have seen engineering from every angle, along with directing the school’s pep band and becoming an ardent hockey fan. Following my time in the north country of New York, I moved down to Boston to join MIT’s Gas Turbine Lab.
RESEARCH
I am currently working towards my PhD at MIT while doing research with the Gas Turbine Laboratory. My current work focuses on the development of kilowatt-scale gas turbines. Specifically, I am working on defining the robust operation of a kilowatt-scale gas turbine. This scale of gas turbine has applications as a power source for autonomous robots or UAVs and would increase the range compared to what is achievable with batteries.
EXPERTISE
Gas turbine technology