2024

Europa Clipper Technical Resources Modeling Team

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Areas: Aerospace, Computational Physics, Data Analysis, Data Analytics, Engineering, System Modeling, Systems Engineering

David Wagner, Andres Rivera, Emma Dodd, Narek Shougarian, David Coren and Reidar Larsen, members of the Europa Clipper project system engineering team at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California Institute of Technology), used Wolfram Language and System Modeler as part of a large multiphysics simulation system used to validate requirements against performance of the design of the spacecraft intended to probe subsurface water on Jupiter’s moon Europa. Analysis provided by these models enabled the project to zero in on a workable design for an extremely complex mission and validate that it could achieve the mission’s aggressive requirements. The models continue to be used to validate mission plan updates into operations.

2022

Daniel Sze

Research Fellow, Georgia Pacific Innovation Center

Areas: Engineering, Modeling Dynamical Systems with Mathematica, System Modeling, Systems Engineering

Daniel Sze is a research fellow at the Georgia Pacific Innovation Center, working with dynamic system modeling to realize a new way to conduct research, tests and exploration in a much more cost-effective and timely way.

Sze’s work focuses on quickly building interactive design tools and dynamic system modeling of some of Georgia Pacific’s largest papermaking systems. Dan is currently supporting an initiative to model large papermaking machines using Wolfram System Modeler, producing a GUI to easily change parameters related to friction, torque, speed and other variables to better understand the way large papermaking machines function under those circumstances.

2021

Trevor Bennett

Cofounder, Starfish Space

Areas: Aerospace, Control Engineering, Risk Analysis, Software Development, Systems Engineering

Trevor Bennett is a cofounder at Starfish Space, where he’s giving life to on-orbit services. He earned a PhD from the University of Colorado, where he was a NASA Space Technology Research Fellow and one of Aviation Week’s “20 Twenties.” Prior to Starfish Space, Trevor designed and developed guidance, navigation and control (GNC) software at NASA and more recently Blue Origin. His journey with Mathematica started in 2013 when he was studying charged spacecraft formation flying. Wolfram’s software allowed development and refinement of a new set of orbit element use cases that could aid spacecraft operations. He has broad technical expertise in GNC, with a particular focus on rendezvous, proximity operations and docking (RPOD).

2020

Gustavo Restrepo

Exergétika Bogotá

Areas: Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Industrial Engineering Economics, System Modeling, Systems Engineering

Gustavo Restrepo is a chemical engineer and entrepreneur who has used Wolfram technology extensively in the energy industry. During his PhD studies in industrial thermal engineering, he used Mathematica to model a thermochemical heat recuperation system to optimize energy efficiency. Working as a process engineer, he used Mathematica for many optimization problems involving separation vessels, heat transfer systems and heavy oil transport. In 2017, he cofounded Exergétika, where he is developing a Wolfram System Modeler package with hydrodynamic components for modeling networks and associated control loops, among other applications, to implement computational thinking in engineering.

2019

Robert Rasmussen and Kirk Reinholtz

Senior Engineers, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Areas: Aerospace, Control Engineering, High-Performance and Parallel Computing, Probability Theory, Risk Analysis, Software Development, Systems Engineering

Robert Rasmussen and Kirk Reinholtz are systems engineers who have used the Wolfram Language to develop a set of methodologies for building complex control system applications. Their integrated mission operation systems utilize the Wolfram Language to provide live updates to local data stores, keeping information consistent throughout processes. Both have used Mathematica extensively for large probability and engineering computations—including hundred-day distributed computations and the processing of gigabyte-scale datasets. They evangelize Mathematica and the Wolfram Language to others in the aerospace field, encouraging them to use Wolfram Notebooks for exploration and the expression of ideas.

2019

Dr. Yehuda Ben-Shimol

Senior Lecturer, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Communications Systems Engineering Department)

Areas: Education, Engineering, System Modeling, Systems Engineering

Yehuda Ben-Shimol has taught courses in graph theory, queueing theory, information theory and more using Wolfram technologies. Using Mathematica and Wolfram SystemModeler, he developed a series of “virtual labs” that allow hands-on exploration of complex engineering models. Through his published work and ongoing community engagement, Ben-Shimol has exposed thousands of students and faculty members to the benefits of using Wolfram technology in coursework and research.

2015

Juan Pablo Carvallo Vega

CEO, Ecuador National Network of Research and Education

Areas: Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunication and Network Management

Dr. Carvallo’s long-term vision for using Wolfram technologies to innovate education and research in Ecuador has introduced academic services and professional research previously unknown or underused in Ecuador, including high-speed internet access, research repositories, Eduroam, Telemedicine, and high-performance computing services. Under his leadership at CEDIA (National Research and Education Network of Ecuador), Dr. Carvallo leverages Wolfram technologies to develop, document, and systematize education and research efforts and resources in Ecuador. He is devoted to creating the next generation of scientific, educational, and research talent needed to support a knowledge-driven economy within the country.