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JACK KOLLER

University of Central Florida • Burnett Honors College

M.S. Mechanical Engineering • Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 • GPA: 3.688
B.S. Mechanical Engineering • Fall 2022 - Spring 2026 • GPA: 3.788

Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Central Florida. My research focuses on the design, analysis, and hardware development for advanced propulsion systems - emphasis on hypersonic air-breathing systems, oblique detonation wave engines (ODWE) and rotating detonation engines (RDEs).

Conducted at the Propulsion and Energy Research Laboratory (PERL) under Dr. Kareem Ahmed. Select pictures to view more.

Mach 10 Oblique Detonation Flight Experiment

Flight test of a standing oblique detonation wave engine (ODWE). Designed high pressure fluid feed system and instrumentation routing for the sounding rocket payload.

Airbreathing Rotating Detonation Engine

Rotating detonation engine (RDE) modeling. Investigation into performance characteristics of previous lab hardware and future flight envelope.

Active Cooling Modeling and Optimization

Cooling channel geometry optimizer for high enthalpy vitiator nozzles. Accounts for 2D thermal and mechanical stress's and solves for highest factor of safety across 100,000's of channel geometry, coolant mass flow rates, and pressures.

Propulsion Engineering Internship
May 2026 - August 2026

Internship in progress

MATLAB Student Ambassador
February 2025 - December 2025

Developed propellant blowdown script to analyze pressure, and volume dynamics across feed systems.
Created workshops to model thermodynamic state properties using chemical kinetic software plugins.
Improved MathWorks’s university outreach by 170% through social media platforms and workshops.

Manufacturing Engineering Internship
February 2024 - August 2024

Tested and modified ABB robot grit blast code to ensure uniform bond coat layering on blades/vanes.
Designed guided polishing fixtures for turbine blade vibratory feeder to reduce process time by 70%.
Produced engineering drawings for coating equipment using GD&T per ASME.Y.14.5-2018.

Lead Calculus Learning Assistant
January 2023 - February 2024

Developed and refined course materials to enhance the learning experience for 1200 semesterly students.
Engaged with students in the Mathematics Assistance and Learning Lab to offer insight to class material

Turbomachinery-coupled Regenerativly Cooled Rocket Engine

AlSi10Mg ethanol-nitrous regeneratively cooled rocket engine. Personal project designed for steady state cooling at a maximum thrust of 617 lbf.
Integrated electric turbopump capable of producing 412 meters of head.

Electric Longboard

Electric longboard with two 36v brushless motors. Features custom drive train and electronics housing. Fabricating motor mounts using CNC mill.

Knights Experimental Rocketry Club

Combustion lead and later Chief Engineer for the liquid rocket development program at UCF's largest registered student organization. Participated in nitrous-oxide and ethanol flight vehicle design along with test stand development.

CNC Machining

Fabricated and tested multiple stainless steel wedges with varying leading edge angles for hypersonic propulsion. Hardware has successfully survived 2000°F vitiator conditions

Autonomous Blimp

Designed, fabricated, and tested gondola carriage for an autonomous blimp. Fabricated envelope.

High Power Rocketry

High power rocketry launch attempt and fabrication. Successfully obtained my Level-1 certification on a J-class motor with successful recovery and apogee of 2,100 ft. Fabricating my Level-2 attempt.