Young Professional Profile November 2017

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Swati-SaxenaName: Dr. Swati Saxena

Hometown
Agra, India                  

Currently lives in
San Jose, California             

Education

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 2012
  • MS in Aerospace Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 2008
  • B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 2006

Employer
ESI Group Inc.

Job Description
In my current role, I work as a technical manager leading the projects in the areas of CFD, multi-physics and aero-acoustics related to aerospace and automotive industries. I also lead the Industrial Marketing and Development for Aerospace in North America.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?            
I wanted to be an astrophysicist when I was a child and wanted to work for a government space organization like NASA or ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).

How far can YOU see?   Where do you see the aerospace industry 10-20 years from now? 
I see the following trends in the aerospace industry in next few years:

  1. Significant technological development in hybrid-electric propulsion in the next 5 to 10 years. Both big companies and start-ups are working to develop more eco-friendly and sustainable propulsion systems to reduce SFC and make planes quieter. Programs like NASA N+3 ensure that we have continued investment and research in these areas affecting future aerospace vehicles.
  2. Increase in small ( <500 kW) UAV market. The present small UAV industry is close to $9B with nearly 18% CAGR. Recent usage of UAVs in damage assessment and recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey is a landmark in the evolution of drone usage and we will see significant growth and change in regulations in UAV usage in near future.
  3. Flying vehicle development and realization for personal transportation.
  4. Tremendous increase in use of AI in aircrafts for both commercial and military applications.

One insightful fact you want everyone to know:  
We are insignificant beings in this vast creation we call Universe and our understanding of science has been only able to comprehend a miniscule part of it. This insight helps me when dealing with challenges that look too big at that time.

Professional Interests:
Fluid dynamics and Multi-physics, Aerodynamics, Aeroacoustics, Turbomachinery, Deep Learning for physical systems

Hobbies:  
Painting, Playing tennis, Astronomy, Ayurveda