Arin Lastufka

My research mentor is Dr. Tayfun Tezduyar, who leads the Team for Advanced Flow Simulation and Modeling (T*AFSM) in the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Department. Using a Cray T-3 supercomputer and various computational methods, the team has studied a variety of situations, with applications ranging from biomedical to military. However, our main focus is on parachute simulations. Currently, I and a partner are modeling the effects of different airflow angles and speeds on T-10 parachutes. Such investigations allow these problems to be addressed without actually performing the airdrops. We are also involved in updating the team’s website with the results of recent projects.

I am a freshman Mechanical Engineering major at Rice, and a proud member of Wiess College. Before attending university, I lived in Cedar Hill, Texas and have always been homeschooled. In my high school years I participated in numerous science competitions and performed independent research.

The Century Scholars Program is one of the main reasons I decided to study at Rice. I wanted to continue doing research, and the program has let me do it during my freshman year. I have always loved solving problems and matching scientific theory with practical applications, which explains my choice of major. I hope to continue research into graduate school, and eventually have a career in the aerospace industry.

I enjoy playing violin, practicing Tae Kwon Do, and reading. Sleep also ranks high on my list, although I get much less than I would like. This year, I became involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, enjoyed my first theater experience with the Wiess Freshman One-Acts, and joined my residential college’s soccer and beer-bike teams. Between studies, research, friends, and extra-curricular activities, I am having a wonderful time at Rice.