Posted on January 16, 2025 by Katrina Kehoe
Guillermo Araya, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering
Guillermo Araya, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering at Klesse College, has been honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This prestigious award, established in 1996, is the highest recognition granted by the U.S. government to outstanding early-career scientists and engineers.
Dr. Araya's research focuses on the phenomenon of turbulent boundary-layer separation in fluid dynamics. His innovative approach combines simulation techniques, graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel programming, and scientific visualization. This work has provided foundational insights into flow separation and its impact on heat and contaminant transport. Utilizing high-resolution direct numerical simulations at elevated Reynolds numbers, Dr. Araya's studies have enhanced the understanding of transport phenomena during the separation process. Additionally, his use of virtual and augmented reality for scientific visualization has significantly contributed to both research and education in turbulence.
“Our lab group at UTSA is honored by this recognition. Turbulent flow separation is one of the most important unsolved problems in fluid dynamics, impacting the efficiency of key technologies like aircraft and turbines,” said Araya. “Driven by a passion for research and education, our team—students, postdocs, and collaborators—remains committed to advancing this critical field.”
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Araya is dedicated to promoting high-performance computing, computational thinking, and modeling among K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. His commitment to education and mentorship has inspired a new generation of engineers and researchers.
Dr. Araya holds a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Instituto Universitario Aeronáutico in Argentina and a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM). He earned his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2008. His professional journey includes postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University, research positions at Swansea University in Wales, and Texas Tech University, and faculty roles at UPRM. Since joining Klesse College, Dr. Araya has continued to advance the field of fluid dynamics through his research and teaching.
Dr. Araya's accolades include the NSF CAREER Award in 2019 and recognition as an AIAA Associate Fellow in 2021. He is also a full member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society and has authored or co-authored approximately ninety journal and refereed conference papers.
For more information on Dr. Araya's work, visit the Computational Turbulence and Visualization Lab (CTV Lab) webpage.
— Katrina Kehoe
Additional links:
Read more: Award notification from United States White House
Learn more: Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Mechanical, Aerospace and Industrial Engineering
Read more: Award notification from United States White House
Learn more: Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Mechanical, Aerospace and Industrial Engineering
