JGK
Gabe Kozielec

USC Combustion Propulsion Lab

Turbulent flow and algae-growth research

Aug 2023–Present

Conducted 100+ experiments over 6+ months for NSF-funded biofuel research under Dr. Paul Ronney.

Representative photograph, not this project: a researcher beside an algae photobioreactor in a laboratory.

Stand-in, not this project · U.S. Department of Energy from United States · Public domain · cropped

Used here

Tools

  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • Experimental testing
  • Taylor-Couette apparatus

What I did

  • Conducted 100+ turbulent-flow and algae-growth experiments over 6+ months, analyzing data in MATLAB and Python.
  • Operated and refined a Taylor-Couette apparatus, redesigning key subsystems to improve reliability and experiment throughput.
  • Collaborated with aerospace and biology PhD teams on system integration and findings that may support a future publication.
  • Maintained the apparatus and helped a colleague resolve an electrical fault after an unexpected shutdown.