MICHAEL A. SOLTYS, Ph. D, E.I.T.

SKILLS SUMMARY: Engineering Education, Data Analysis, Experimental Design, Programming, MATLAB, JavaScript, Python, C++, R, Microcontrollers, Arduino, Machine Vision, Image Processing, LaTeX, Experimental Fluid Mechanics

EDUCATION
University of Colorado                                                              Boulder, CO
PhD in Engineering                                                                    3.78 GPA
Environmental Fluid Mechanics

Clemson University                                                                   Clemson, SC
Bachelors in Civil Engineering                                                    3.95 GPA
Emphasis in Applied Fluid Mechanics                                          Summa Cum Laude

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor: Engineering Plus          June 2011-Present

University of Colorado

NSF Graduate Teaching Fellow                                                 June 2011-August 2013

  • Developed and taught hands-on engineering curricula for 9th-12th grade students.
  • Performed engineering and science outreach activities targeting women and minorities.

Lecturer: CVEN 3323: Hydraulic Engineering                             August 2012-December 2012

  • Professor focusing on civil engineering applications of fluid mechanics
  • Managed a Teaching Assistant (TA) as well as a grader for a class of 105 students
  • Created lesson plans, planned in-class demonstrations, designed exams and a semester project, and organized labs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Collins Engineers, Inc.                                                               Charleston, SC
Engineer Diver                                                                          January 2004-August 2005

  • Performed more than 125 underwater inspections using SCUBA diving techniques
  • Wrote structural inspection reports, including AutoCAD drawings
  • Estimated project quantities and costs

Research Experience
Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory                                Boulder, CO
Research Graduate Student and Lab Manager                            August, 2007-December 2013

  • Designed a new experimental technique for studying interactions between multiple scalars in turbulent aqueous flows using laser-induced fluorescence
  • Manufactured experimental apparatuses including laser optics and machine vision systems
  • Designed and conducted experiments on multiple-scalar mixing
  • Developed data analysis and image processing algorithms using MATLAB and R

Clemson University Wind Load Test Facility                                Clemson, SC
Undergraduate Research Assistant                                             May 2006-September 2006

  • Constructed scale models and used them to gather data in a wind tunnel
  • Visualized flow using smoke machines
  • Acquired data through destructive testing in the field

PUBLICATIONS

PRESENTATIONS

  • Soltys, M.A and Crimaldi, J.P., “Turbulent generation of scalar covariance between two initially distant scalars: implications for enhanced mixing and reaction,” Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, Pittsburgh, PA, November 25th, 2013
  • Soltys, M.A., “The Effect of Structured Stirring and Mixing on Scalar Covariance of Initially Distant Scalars,” Dynamical and Chaotic Systems Seminar, Boulder, CO, September 5th, 2013
  • Soltys, M.A., “Interactions Between Isolated Scalars in Turbulent Flows,” Boulder Fluid Dynamics Seminar, Boulder, CO, June 25th, 2013
  • Soltys, M.A., "Joint Probabilities of Two Scalars Emitted from Parallel Jets using Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence," University of Colorado Water Resources Seminar, Boulder, CO, December 12th, 2012.
  • Soltys, M.A and Crimaldi, J.P., “Interactions between Turbulent Mixing and Coral Reproduction,” TOS/ASLO/AGU 2012 Ocean Sciences Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT, February, 2012.
  • Soltys, M.A., "Turbulence, Lasers, and Coral Sex: What turbulence can teach us about broadcast spawning (and visa versa)” Fluids Connections. Boulder, CO, October 10th, 2010.
  • Soltys, M.A., "Laser Induced Fluorescence.” Fluids Connections. Boulder, CO, October 27th, 2009.
  • Crimaldi, J.P. and Soltys, M.A. “A two-color planar laser induced fluorescence technique for two-scalar mixing and reaction experiments,” Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer 6, Rome, IT September 14th, 2009.
  • Soltys, M.A., "Environmental Fluid Mechanics," University of Colorado Water Resources Seminar, Boulder, CO, November 12th, 2008.

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS, & AWARDS

  • Research featured on cover of March 2012 special issue of Journal of Experimental Biology.
  • NSF K-12 Graduate Teaching Fellowship (2011-2013)
  • University of Colorado Department of Civil Engineering Fellowship (2007)
  • E. L. Clarke Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2006)
  • Howard Eugene Hord Endowed Scholarship Recipient (2005-2006)
  • Clemson University President’s List (2003-2006)
  • SC Life Scholarship Recipient (2002-2006)

Professional Organizations

SERVICE, OUTREACH, & LEADERSHIP

  • Conduct lab demos 2-3 times yearly for the BOLD (Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity) Center targeting women and minority students
  • YOU’RE@CU Mentor for women undergraduates in research (2011)
  • Guest Lecturer: Theoretical Fluid Mechanics and Environmental Fluid Mechanics.
  • After school tutor for the Family Learning Center, focusing on underprivileged minority students (2009)
  • Member, 2008 University of Colorado Hydrologic Sciences Research Symposium Planning Team
  • All Souls Church of Boulder Leadership Team (2008-Present)

PERSONAL INTERESTS

  • Backcountry Skiing
  • Mountain and Road Cycling
  • Web Development
  • Woodworking