A highly accomplished Ph.D. candidate and researcher in Smart Vehicle Engineering, specializing in the aerodynamics and design of advanced aerial and biomimetic robotic systems. Proven expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental validation, and the development of innovative solutions for micro air vehicles (MAVs) and underwater robots, evidenced by a strong record of first-authored and co-authored publications. Seeking to leverage deep technical knowledge and research acumen in a challenging role within aerospace, robotics, or advanced engineering.
Ph.D. Researcher, Project-2024: Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle (FW-MAV) in Fast Forward Flight
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Led joint research on FW-MAV aerodynamics in fast forward flight, processing wing kinematics and validating simulations against experimental data for publication.
Highlights
Processed measured wing kinematics of an FW robot under tethered conditions, utilizing a desk-sized wind generator at 4.3 m/s.
Achieved strong agreement between simulation and experimental measurements, contributing to a co-first authored journal paper (in progress).
Ph.D. Researcher, Project-2024: Out-of-plane Motion and Aerodynamics of Hummingbird-Like FW-MAV
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Co-advised CFD modeling and simulation to analyze hovering aerodynamics of a FW robot, resulting in a co-authored journal submission.
Highlights
Co-advised CFD modeling and simulation efforts to analyze hovering aerodynamics of a FW robot.
Contributed to a co-authored journal paper submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.
Ph.D. Researcher, Project-2022: Development of Biomimetic Underwater Robot Platform
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Developed a tailbeat robotic fish capable of achieving high speeds with low transport costs and designed a larger-scale model for enhanced performance.
Highlights
Developed a tailbeat robotic fish achieving a target speed of 1.79 m/s (5.5 body lengths per second) with low cost of transport using a scaling-based design approach.
Designed a larger-scale model aiming for faster speed and higher-payload capabilities, and conducted simulations of hydrodynamic force production and vortex formation during free swimming.
Authored a first-authored journal paper, currently under review, detailing the platform's development and performance.
Ph.D. Researcher, Project-2021: Toward Flapping Flights on Mars
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Investigated the stability and aerodynamics of flapping-wing micro air vehicles (FW-MAVs) in Martian conditions, contributing to two journal publications.
Highlights
Investigated stability characteristics of an FW hovering on Mars using CFD simulations, resulting in a first-authored journal publication (2024).
Analyzed the aerodynamics of a flapper during takeoff under ultra-low air densities via CFD, contributing to a co-authored journal (under review).
Ph.D. Researcher, Project-2020: Leaping Robotic Fish
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Analyzed the feasibility of gliding in a flying-fish-like robot post-water exit and estimated body drag through CFD analyses, leading to two journal publications.
Highlights
Analyzed the feasibility of gliding in a flying-fish-like robot after water exit using CFD.
Estimated body drag through CFD analyses and measured undulatory kinematics, contributing to one first-authored and one co-authored journal publication (2023).
M.S. Researcher, Project-2020: Aerodynamic improvement of a hovering FW-MAV
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Proposed optimal wing kinematics to significantly improve the aerodynamic efficiency of hovering FW-MAVs, detailed in a first-authored journal.
Highlights
Proposed optimal wing kinematics that improved aerodynamic efficiency by 31%.
Conducted detailed analysis including spanwise corrugation, adjusted wing rotation angles, and exclusion of clap-fling mechanism, leading to a first-authored journal (2021).
M.S. Researcher, Project-2019: Comparative stability analyses of FW-MAVS
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Compared the longitudinal and lateral stability characteristics of two flappers using CFD, resulting in a first-authored journal publication.
Highlights
Compared the longitudinal and lateral stability characteristics of two flappers using CFD.
Published findings in a first-authored journal (2021).
Graduate Researcher, Project-2018: Aerodynamics of UAV–HOPE: Fixed Wings in Forward Flight
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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Summary
Investigated and analyzed the aerodynamics of fixed wings during forward flight using OpenFOAM, contributing to a co-authored journal.
Highlights
Investigated the aerodynamics of fixed wings during forward flight using OpenFOAM.
Analyzed laminar purple separation along chordwise and spanwise positions, leading to a co-authored journal (2024) with significant contribution including original draft, review, and editing.
Graduate Researcher, Project-2018: Aerodynamics of UAV-HOPE: Tricopter Frame in Forward Flight
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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Summary
Co-advised tricopter aerodynamics study using Virtual Blade Method and iteratively predicted tip-path-plane angle during forward flight, resulting in a co-authored journal.
Highlights
Co-advised tricopter aerodynamics study using Virtual Blade Method in OpenFOAM.
Iteratively predicted the tip-path-plane angle during forward flight using MATLAB, based on CFD-derived aerodynamic force coefficients, contributing to a co-authored journal (2020).
Undergraduate Researcher, Thesis-2018: Aerodynamics of UAV-HOPE: Tricopter Frame During Takeoff
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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Summary
Analyzed aerodynamics of a tricopter during takeoff using the Virtual Blade Method, published as an international conference paper.
Highlights
Analyzed aerodynamics of a tricopter during takeoff using the Virtual Blade Method in OpenFOAM.
Presented findings at the Southeast Asia Workshop on Aerospace Engineering (2018) as an international conference paper.
Teaching Assistant
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Summary
Provided instructional support and graded assignments for graduate-level engineering courses.
Highlights
Graded assignments for 'Basics of Mechanics' (2020) and 'Finite Element Method' (2025).
Solved and explained assignments for 'Fluid Mechanics' (HCMUT, 2018).
Research and Mentorship Assistant
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Summary
Mentored and co-supervised undergraduate and master's students on complex CFD simulations and mechanical design projects.
Highlights
Co-supervised 10 undergraduates for a Student Research Program funded by HCMUT (2025).
Mentored 3 master's students on CFD simulation and mechanical design at KU (2024).
Co-advised 3 undergraduates on their graduation theses at HCMUT (2018).
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Doctor of Philosophy
Smart Vehicle Engineering
Grade: GPA: 4.00/4.00 (Thesis Grade: 93/100)
Courses
Thesis: Scaling-Based Design Approach for Tailbeat Fish-Inspired Robots Swimming at High Speed and Propulsive Efficiency.
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Master of Science
Smart Vehicle Engineering
Grade: GPA: 3.88/4.00 (Thesis Grade: 95/100)
Courses
Thesis: Investigation of stability and aerodynamic performance of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle in hover using 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses.
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Bachelor of Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Grade: GPA: 3.18/4.00 (Thesis Grade: 9.07/10)
Courses
Thesis: Computational Approach on the Aerodynamics of UAV combining fixed wing and three propellers.
Participated in the prestigious and talented 5-year French – Vietnamese Training Program for Excellent Engineers (PFIEV), accredited by France's Engineering Degree Commission (2004-2022) and designated as a EUR–ACE Master Program.
Completed a high-quality engineering education, comprising 274 European Credits (ECTS).
Awarded By
Konkuk University
Awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Konkuk University, Korea.
Awarded By
Konkuk University, College of Engineering
Received first prize for outstanding research achievement within the College of Engineering.
Awarded By
Konkuk University
Awarded a Teaching Assistant Fellowship totaling approximately $10,000.
Awarded By
Korea Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Conference
Recognized for outstanding paper presentation at the Korea Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Conference.
Awarded By
Konkuk University
Awarded a Ph.D. Fellowship totaling approximately $78,000 for doctoral studies.
Awarded By
International Conference on Intelligent Unmanned Systems
Received best paper award at the International Conference on Intelligent Unmanned Systems (also in 2025).
Awarded By
Konkuk University
Awarded a Research Assistant Fellowship totaling approximately $22,000.
Awarded By
Konkuk University
Received a merit-based scholarship totaling approximately $21,000.
Awarded By
HCMUT
Awarded a Teaching Assistant Fellowship totaling approximately $100.
Awarded By
HCMUT
Awarded a Research Assistant Fellowship totaling approximately $1,200.
Awarded By
HCMUT
Recognized as an Excellent Student, receiving 150% tuition waiver (approx. $250).
Awarded By
HCMUT
Recognized as a Quintessential Student, receiving 125% tuition waiver (approx. $350) (also in 2017).
Awarded By
Tran Phu High School
Achieved Top 1% nationwide score in the National University Entrance Exam and awarded Honor Cup.
Awarded By
National University Entrance Exam
Qualified for the prestigious PFIEV program based on National University Entrance Exam performance.
Awarded By
Tran Phu High School
Qualified for the Honors Science Program at Tran Phu High School with a score of 42/50.
Published by
ICIUS, Indonesia
Summary
Presented on the design and fabrication of a high-thrust tail-beating mechanism for fish-inspired swimming robots (Presenter & Best paper award).
Published by
Journal (Under review)
Summary
Developed a scaling-based design approach for tailbeat fish-inspired robots to achieve high speed and propulsive efficiency.
Published by
Journal (Submitted)
Summary
Explored the ability of flapping wings to maintain lift coefficient during takeoff in extremely low air density conditions.
Published by
Journal (In progress)
Summary
Investigated the aerodynamic behavior of flapping wings operating in low-density air environments.
Published by
Journal (In progress)
Summary
Analyzed the fast forward flight aerodynamics of an insect-inspired flapping-wing robot.
Published by
J. Aeronaut. Astronaut. Aviat.
Summary
Conducted numerical analysis of aerodynamic characteristics for UAVs in forward flight (JCR Q3, IF = 1.1).
Published by
Journal (In progress)
Summary
Investigated the aerodynamic performance impacts of out-of-plane wing motion on hummingbird-like flapping wings.
Published by
ICIUS, Indonesia
Summary
Presented on analytical and experimental performance verifications of a fast-swimming robotic fish (Presenter).
Published by
Proceedings of KSAS, Korea
Summary
Presented a study on the takeoff of an insect-like flapping-wing system under low air density and low gravity conditions (Best paper award).
Published by
ICIUS, Indonesia
Summary
Presented on the design and fabrication of a high-thrust tail-beating mechanism for fish-inspired swimming robots (Presenter).
Published by
Proceedings of KSAS, Korea
Summary
Presented on the hovering characteristics of an insect-like flapping-wing robot in Martian conditions (Presenter).
Published by
ICIUS, AU
Summary
Presented on the preliminary design of a fish-like fast robot by scaling of the KUFish.
Published by
ICIUS, Adelaide, Australia
Summary
Presented on the roles of hydrodynamic forces generated by tail-beating motion in gliding flight of flying-fish-mimicking robots (Presenter).
Published by
ICIUS, Japan
Summary
Presented on the prediction and demonstration of the KUFish robot leaping out of water (Best paper award).
Published by
ICIUS, Japan
Summary
Presented on the numerical estimation of hydrodynamic thrust using measured tail-beating kinematics of a fish-like robot (Presenter).
Published by
Proceedings of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers Annual Meeting, Jeju, Korea
Summary
Presented a numerical investigation of hydrodynamics for a fish-like robot under undulatory forward swimming (Presenter).
Published by
Aerosp. Sci. Tech.
Summary
Compared dynamic flight stability of insect-inspired flapping-wing micro air vehicles in hover, focusing on longitudinal and lateral motions (JCR Q1, IF = 5.8).
Published by
ICIUS, Vietnam
Summary
Presented on wing kinematics modulation in an insect-like tailless flapping wing MAV for higher aerodynamic efficiency (Presenter).
Published by
Aerosp. Sci. Technol.
Summary
Analyzed the effects of wing kinematics, corrugation, and clap-and-fling on aerodynamic efficiency of hovering insect-inspired flapping-wing MAVs (JCR Q1, IF = 5.8).
Published by
KSAS, Korea
Summary
Presented on three-dimensional wing kinematics for improved aerodynamic performance of insect-like flapping-wing micro air vehicles (Presenter).
Published by
SAWAE, Malaysia
Summary
Presented on numerical simulation for the forward flight of a tri-copter using the Virtual Blade Model.
Published by
SAWAE, Thailand
Summary
Presented on a numerical approach for vertical take-off and landing UAVs using the virtual blade model (Presenter).
MATLAB, C, HTML, CSS.
Visual Studio, VS Code.
ANSYS-ICEM, Salome, snappyHexMesh.
ANSYS-Fluent, CFD-Post, OpenFOAM, ParaFoam, CFD Analysis, Aerodynamic Simulation.
CNC Machines, 3D Printing Machines, Direct Linear Transformation Digitizing Tool.
AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Cubicreator, MS Office, SolidWorks.
Journal Peer Review (Ocean Engineering, Journal of Aeronautics Astronautics and Aviation, International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems).
Silicone Mold Making, Transducer Measurement, Image Processing, Experimental Validation.
Professor, Director of Laboratory of Bioinspired System, Department of Aerospace-Mobility Engineering, Future Drone Center, Konkuk University, RoK (hcpark@konkuk.ac.kr)
Senior Lecturer, Dean, and Coordinator of PFIEV Program, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam (honghieu.le@hcmut.edu.vn)
Assistant Professor, Director of AIRmotion Laboratory, University of Nevada, Reno, USA (vuphan@unr.edu)