CV

General Information

Full Name Francisco Torres-Herrador
Date of Birth 28th February 1992
Languages Spanish, English
Email fratorhe@illinois.edu

Skills

Programming Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++, Git
Analysis techniques Thermogravimetric Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Laser Flash Analysis, Infrared thermography, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, Microtomography
Simulation and Design OpenFOAM, Cantera, ANSYS, SolidWorks, Modelica

Education

  • 2017 - 2023

    Belgium

    PhD Engineering Sciences and Chemical Engineering
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University
    • Thermal response of carbon composites submitted to high temperatures application to atmospheric entry
    • Study the thermal degradation of thermal protection materials and space debris made of carbon composites such as carbon/phenolic or carbon/epoxy systems.
    • Highlights
      • Understand changes in material properties when submitted to high temperatures.
      • Develop methodologies for characterization of material properties.
      • Graduated with greatest distinction.
  • 2016 - 2017

    Belgium

    Research Master
    von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
    • Specialization in High speed flows and thermal protection materials.
    • Graduated with honors
  • 2016 - 2017

    Spain

    MSc Aerospace Engineering
    Polytechnic University of Valencia
    • Two year master program
    • Specialization in fluid dynamics and materials
  • 2013 - 2014

    UK

    BSc Aerospace Engineering
    Queen's University Belfast
    • Study abroad year with Erasmus fellowship
    • Specialization in aircraft design
  • 2010 - 2014

    Spain

    BSc Aerospace Engineering
    Polytechnic University of Valencia
    • Four year bachelor program
    • Specialization in fluid dynamics and aircraft design

Experience

  • 2023 -

    USA

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    CHESS research group, University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, Illinois
    • Studying the process of carbon deposition on carbon fiber materials and its effect in thermal protection systems with Professor Kelly Stephani.
    • Highlights:
      • Develop accurate gas‑surface interaction model for deposition process.
      • Design and carry out experimental campaign to validate model.
      • Post‑test sample characterization.
  • 2018/07 - 2018/09

    USA

    Visiting Scholar
    NASA Ames Research Center, California
    • Participated at the NASA Ames summer program in the group of Dr. Mansour to study the pyrolysis of the Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA).
    • Highlights:
      • Proposed a competitive kinetic model for PICA based on literature data.
      • Improved optimization framework with bayesian inference.
  • 2017/07 - 2017/09

    USA

    Visiting Scholar
    NASA Ames Research Center, California
    • Participated at the NASA Ames summer program in the group of Dr. Mansour to study the pyrolysis of the Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA).
    • Highlights:
      • Proposed a multicomponent model for PICA based on literature data.
      • Developed a framework for optimization of kinetic parameters using Dakota and PATO.

Honors and Awards

  • 2017

    Belgium

    PhD Fellowship
    Flemish Research Foundation
    • Strategic Basic Research PhD fellowship
  • 2016

    Belgium

    Graduated with Honors
    von Karman Institute
    • Fellowship VKI Research Master
  • 2013

    UK

    Erasmus
    Queen's University Belfast
    • One year study abroad.

Teaching

  • 2023/09 - 2024/01

    USA

    Lecturer - Intermediate Gas Dynamics
    University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Illinois
    • Lecturer for part of the course on Intermediate Gas Dynamics course (ME 410) at UIUC. Course focuses on compressible flows, flows with smooth and abrupt area change, with friction, with heat addition, and with mass addition, flows with weak and strong waves, and shock waves.
  • 2017/09 - 2023/01

    Belgium

    Thesis advisor
    von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
    • Supervised master students during their master thesis at the VKI on a variety of topics related to my research.
  • 2022/02

    Belgium

    Lecturer - Hands on Machine Learning for Fluid Dynamics
    von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
    • Developed part of the course curriculum with Prof. Mendez.
    • Lectured Python programming and exercises relevant to ML.
    • Course with 150 attendees.
  • 2022/02

    Belgium

    Lecturer - Tools for Scientific Computing
    von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
    • 1 ECTS course from the VKI Research Master program.
    • Developed the curriculum for the course with Prof. Mendez.
    • Introductory course of programming in Python for scientists.
  • 2017 - 2020

    Belgium

    Teaching assistant - Measurement techniques laboratory Infrared temperature measurements
    von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
    • Lab advisor for research master students.
    • Evaluate lab work, reports and oral exam.

Professional Societies

2023 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Young professional member
2022 International Mentoring Foundation For The Advancement Of Higher Education (IMFAHE)
2017 VKI Alumni Association

Outreach Activities

  • Reviewer for Scientific Journals
    • Defence Technology, Elsevier.
    • Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, American Chemical Society.
    • Composites Communications, Elsevier.
  • 2023, 2024

    USA

    Mentor
    IMFAHE
    • Participated in IMFAHE non‑profit organization mentoring program to help young graduates pursue their future. Mentored three MSc students to discover the best paths for their careers.
  • 2020 - 2022

    Spain

    Mentor
    Polytechnic University of Valencia
    • Participated in mentoring program at my home university to provide guidance to young graduates.
  • 2019 - 2020

    Belgium

    Event Organizer
    Talk cosmic to me
    • Took part in the organization of several science dissemination events.