Dr. Craig Hill
My research interests span the intersection between marine environments and engineered systems, including multi-sensor measurement platforms for marine and atmospheric monitoring, the design, manufacturing, and coupling of composite materials with sensors for marine systems, and fluid-structure interactions of marine and wind energy technologies. I am particularly interested in connecting students and the community with the Great Lakes environment, sustainable energy systems, and Duluth’s unique maritime location and industry on Lake Superior. I joined the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department in August 2019. Prior to arriving at UMD, I received a B.A. in Geology from the University of St. Thomas (2005), worked in Alaska, skied in the Utah mountains for a winter, worked at the UMN St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) in Minneapolis before returning to complete my Ph.D. in Water Resources Civil Engineering (UMN-SAFL, 2015). Following graduate school, I spent time as a Postdoc in the U. of Washington Mechanical Engineering Department in Seattle working on advancing R&D efforts in marine renewable energy technologies. I decided to explore working in the composites manufacturing industry, where I spent nearly 2 years as and Engineer for Werner Paddles designing new products, processes for manufacturing, and exploring new materials. I also temporarily worked as a Marine Technician deploying sensors in Lake Superior for the UMD Large Lakes Observatory prior to joining the UMD MIE Department faculty. The waters of Minnesota drew my family back home, and we enjoy our home in Duluth. I enjoy time exploring Duluth and the outdoors along the North Shore with my wife, daughter, and our dog. |
Mohammad Arafat Zaman
I am a 2nd year MSME graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at UMD. My research interests are in computational fluid dynamics, jet propulsion and renewable energy technologies, and I am currently working on using CFD to determine optimal sensor placement for assessing structural loading and performance of vertical axis wind turbines. Prior to joining UMD, I received my BSc in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. I am enjoying outdoor games such as soccer, cycling, and swimming in the Great Lake Superior. My favorite sport is volleyball. My vision is to serve the world with all my credentials to keep it safe and green for the next generation. |
Justin Ruedebusch
I am a first year MSME graduate student at UMD. I grew up in Huron, SD, and following high school (2013), I moved to Hudson, WI to play junior hockey for the Crusaders. After competing for a couple of years in hockey and following a knee surgery, I completed my Associate of Science degree (2018) at the University of Wisconsin - Superior before transferring to UMD to earn my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (2020). My research interests focus on renewable energy technologies and developing a mobile meteorological tower to classify marine and atmospheric boundary layer turbulence to better understand fluid-structure interactions with energy systems and marine environments, such as the small vertical axis wind turbine at the UMD Land Labs or extreme wave heights on the Great Lakes. My interest in renewable energy stems from participating in the inaugural Marine Energy Collegiate Competition with Dr. Hill during the 2019-2020 academic year. My goal is to gain the tools which will help me have a positive environmental impact throughout my career. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing/reffing hockey, riding motorcycles, exercising my private pilot privileges and going on adventures with my fiance. |