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General Information
Full Name | Vahidullah Tac |
Date of Birth | 6th August 1991 |
Languages | English, Turkish, Persian, Turkmen, Russian |
Experience
- 2024 - Now
Postdoctoral Scholar
Stanford University, CA, USA
- Using experiments, finite element modeling, and machine learning to expand our understanding of the biomechanics of concussion
- 2021 - 2024
Research Assistant
Purdue University, IN, USA
- Developed a model of hyperelastic material behavior based on feed-forward neural networks in Python/TensorFlow.
- Used special properties of Neural ODEs to develop a model of hyperelasticity where physics-based constraints are satisfied a priori using Python/JAX. This approach circumvents the use of a complicated loss function thus avoiding a large number of unnecessary floating-point operations.
- Developed the first fully data-driven, physics-informed model of finite viscoelasticity. The model uses Neural ODEs to model viscoelasticity in such a way that the relevant physical laws are satisfied automatically.
- 2018-2021
Structural Design Engineer
Turkish Aerospace Industries, Ankara, Turkey
- Designed various spacecraft parts such as structural panels, inserts and brackets. Spearheaded the development of the first structural panel with embedded active cooling in TAI.
- 2017 - 2018
Research Engineer
TUBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey
- Developed two engineering software packages using Visual Basic and MATLAB:
- Aircraft conceptual design
- Prediction of failure modes of composite materials
- The packages received praise for being user friendly and responsive.
- Developed two engineering software packages using Visual Basic and MATLAB:
Education
- 2021-2024
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University, IN, USA
- Dissertation title: Data-driven modeling of elastic and inelastic processes
- 2016-2019
MSc in Aerospace Engineering
Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- Thesis title: Micromechanical modeling of carbon nanotube – polymer composites
- 2012-2016
BSc in Aerospace Engineering
Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
Honors and Awards
- 2023
- Travel for Collaborative Research (TRACER) grant, Purdue University, 2023.
- Travel award from SES to attend the Inaugural SES Future Faculty Symposium in 2023.
- 2022
- Robert J. Melosh Medal for best student paper in computational solid mechanics, Duke University
- Ward A. Lambert Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Purdue University, 2022
- Ben M. Hillberry Graduate Scholarship, Purdue University
- 2020
- TUBITAK International Publication Award
- 2016
- 3rd Place, Individual Aircraft Design Competition 2015-16, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
- 1st Place, METU Engineering Day 2016 Poster Competition
- 2011
- Full scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan for undergraduate studies in Turkey, covering all expenses.
Skills
- FEM, machine learning, Python, JAX, TensorFlow, PyTorch, FORTRAN, MATLAB