Kiran Boyer Digavalli
Ames,IA
Summary
Current PhD Candidate, Aerospace Engineering – Iowa State University (Aug. 2022 - May 2026 exp.) | Advisor: Dr. Hui Hu.
Resourceful Graduate Research Assistant passionate about advancing knowledge in aircraft anti-/de-icing technology through high-quality research. Self-motivated professional with excellent communication, planning and problem solving abilities.
Proven research impact through 6 conference papers (3 lead author), 2 journal papers in preparation, and Collins Aerospace collaboration (2023-present)
Professional skills supported by academic expertise in compressible & incompressible aerodynamics, thermodynamics, unsteady heat transfer, fluid dynamics
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University Aircraft Icing Physics Lab
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted & published novel, experimental research in icing physics, heat transfer, thermodynamics to improve anti-/de-icing energy efficiency and surface coating performance
- Funded by Collins and NSF Grants for innovative aircraft icing research
- Mentored newer research assistants to improve technical skills and engineering communication
- Led experimental campaign to develop optimal thermal systems anti-icing for Collins Aerospace collaboration
Teaching Assistant
Iowa State University Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
08.2022 - Current
- Instructed 30+ students per term in use of wind tunnel, supersonic tunnel, pitot tube, hot-wire anemometry, Schlieren, PIV to develop hands-on engineering skills
- Assessed and improved student technical writing skills by 2 letter grades each term through detailed feedback and office hour support
Guest Researcher
Arctic University of Norway (Narvik)
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Conducted multiphase flow simulations using FENSAP-ICE to gain insights into heat transfer under aircraft icing conditions
- Designed, built, and tested experimental equipment to enable the experimental study of aircraft icing and heat transfer measurement at UiT Narvik
- Improved wind tunnel uniformity and flow quality by 50%
Education
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
Iowa State University
Ames, IA05-2026
BA - Physics, Minor German
Carleton College
Northfield, MN06-2022
Skills
- Experimental: Icing & supersonic wind tunnels, high-speed & IR imaging, PIV, PSP, heat transfer, contact ang & surf roughness measurement
- Software: C, Java, MATLAB, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, NASA LEWICE, FENSAP-ICE
- Fabrication: Metal lathe, milling machine, TIG/MIG/Stick welding, 3D Printing
- Leadership: Mentored Research Assistants (ISU), Carleton Robotics co-president (2018–2022)
- Communication: Technical writing, graphic design, literature reviews, professional oral communication
- Strong analytical and problem-solving
- Cross-functional/multi-disciplinary team collaboration
- Experiment management
Languages
German
Full Professional
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (full list: ORCID)
- 1. Digavalli, K. et al. “Utilization of Pulsed Electrothermal Heating...” AIAA Aviation 2023
- 2. Digavalli, K. et al. “Unsteady Heat Transfer Characteristics...” AIAA Aviation 2024
- 3. Digavalli, K. et al. “Experimental Investigation into Dynamic Ice Accretion...” AIAA Aviation 2025
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University Aircraft Icing Physics Lab
08.2023 - Current
Guest Researcher
Arctic University of Norway (Narvik)
05.2023 - 08.2023
Teaching Assistant
Iowa State University Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
08.2022 - Current
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
Iowa State University
BA - Physics, Minor German
Carleton College