Rithik R Nambiar
MS graduate · Aerospace Engineering · Iowa State University
I am an MS graduate in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis) from Iowa State University, specializing in computational analysis and sustainable system design.
My research portfolio spans computational aeroacoustics, wind energy systems, and lighter-than-air systems through collaborations with leading US and Indian institutions including IIT Bombay and IIST Trivandrum.
Previously, I was a Project Research Assistant at the LTA Systems Laboratory, IIT Bombay, and completed my BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology with a minor in Fundamentals of Computing.
Recent News
May 2026
👨🏻🎓
Graduated with MS in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University 🎓✨
April 2026
👨🏻🏫
Defended my MS thesis titled "Modeling and Analysis of an OWC Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform" 🎉
May 2025
🔬
Started as Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant at Iowa State, working on the WAFOWT project.
Aug 2024
🎉
Joined Iowa State University for MS in Aerospace Engineering!
Experience
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant
May 2025 – Dec 2025
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University
- Applying dynamic modeling and time-domain simulations for a novel Wave-Augmented Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (WAFOWT) system using MATLAB/Simulink and WEC-Sim to evaluate wave-body interactions and enhance platform stability.
- Teaching Assistant for AERE 3220: Aerospace Structures Laboratory, guiding 30+ students through hands-on experiments in aerospace structural principles.
Research Assistant
Sep 2024 – Jan 2025
ISU Computational Aerodynamics & Aeroacoustics Laboratory
- Designed a novel ultrasonic bat deterrent device leveraging aerodynamic whistles to mitigate wind turbine mortality risks at wind farms.
- Enhanced understanding of aerodynamic whistle performance by conducting detailed CFD and CAA simulations, identifying key operational principles and areas for design improvement.
- Applied Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) methods using Discrete Adjoint approach with OpenFOAM (DAFoam) to enhance device performance.
Project Research Assistant
Sep 2022 – Jun 2024
LTA Systems Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- Led feasibility study on solar/wind aerostats for transmission towers, reducing potential costs by 20%.
- Optimized power generation efficiency by 15% through CFD analysis of horizontal and vertical axis turbines.
- Developed dashboard to streamline aerostat design process, reducing cycle time by 60%.
- Teaching Assistant for AE664: LTA Systems, earning positive feedback for exceptional teaching support.
- Demonstrated leadership by organizing impactful events, outreach programs, guiding interns, and strengthening project visibility.
Research Intern – Bachelor's Thesis
Jan 2022 – Jul 2022
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Trivandrum
- Conducted collaborative research employing ANSYS Fluent to dissect screech tones in supersonic jets.
- Evaluated sound pressure levels and acoustic behaviors across diverse microphone locations, providing valuable insights into aircraft performance.
- Explored the impact of Mach numbers on noise generation in supersonic jets, focusing on predicting screech tones.
Design Intern
Aug 2021 – Sep 2021
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore
- Performed design and analysis of critical aircraft components in the Wing & Empennage division, enhancing structural integrity and performance.
- Executed a focused study on gurney flaps, optimizing their application for a 15% improvement in lift coefficient.
Publications
Visit [Google Scholar] for my full list of publications.
Numerical Prediction of Axisymmetric Jet Screech Tones in Supersonic Flows
CFD Letters, 18(4), 34–53, 2025.
Conceptual Sizing Approach for Electric Power Generation Turbine Aerostat
Journal of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies, 76(2), 67–80, 2024.
Effect of Horizontal and Vertical Overlap on the Performance of Two-bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.
Methodology for Conceptual Sizing of a Turbine Aerostat for Electrical Power Generation
AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.
Conceptual Design of a Solar Powered Winged Hybrid Airship for Agricultural Purposes
AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, San Diego, CA, June 2023.
Thesis
Masters's Thesis
Modeling and Analysis of an OWC-Integrated Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform
Bachelor's Thesis
Numerical Prediction of Generation of Axisymmetric Mode Jet Screech Tones for Various Mach Numbers
Education
Iowa State University
Aug 2024 – May 2026
MS in Aerospace Engineering (with thesis)
Manipal Institute of Technology
Jul 2018 – Jul 2022
BTech in Aeronautical Engineering · Minor in Fundamentals of Computing
Recognized for outstanding thesis work. Coursework in aerodynamics, aircraft structures, flight mechanics, propulsion, and avionics.
Honors & Awards
Global Scholars Award – Graduate
2026
International Students & Scholars Office, Iowa State University
Technical Skills
Engineering Software
Numerical Analysis
Programming
Ask Me Anything
A personal assistant trained on my portfolio. Ask about my background, research, or experience.
Contact
Field Notes
Glimpses from labs, conferences, and milestones along the way.
With Prof. R.S. Pant and the LTA Systems Laboratory team