B.S. Aerospace Engineering,
Virginia Tech, 1996
M.S. Mechanical Engineering,
Virginia Tech, 1998
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I joined MPR in 1998 after receiving my M.S. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech.
By the time I was ready to graduate, I had decided that I wanted a challenging job that would
test my skills as an engineer. During my job search, I found that to achieve this goal most of
the job opportunities would require me to specialize in a particular discipline of engineering.
Following years of multidisciplinary study, the thought of working in one field for the rest of
my career sounded unappealing. MPR provided the opportunity to be challenged while gaining experience
in many engineering fields. I have found that this combination of challenging work and constantly
changing assignments provides an exciting environment in which to work.
My first assignment at MPR was to analyze a valve seat insert that had failed in a diesel
engine. The valve seat insert had cracked during operation, and the owner wanted to know if there
was a design flaw that would cause other inserts to fail in the future. With the guidance of
several knowledgeable engineers, I created a finite element model of the insert and part of the
engine cylinder head. A key part of creating this model was understanding the conditions inside
the engine during operation. Using test data MPR had compiled for a previous report, I was able
to choose appropriate pressures, temperatures, and fluid properties for the interior of the
combustion chamber. Using this data and the model, I analyzed the temperature profile of the
insert and then found the stresses due to differential thermal expansion and the pressure inside
the engine. The results of the analysis showed that the insert had no inherent design
flaws; the part had failed due to an abnormal installation condition. While I had experience with finite element modeling from school and summer
internships, I had never performed an analysis of this complexity. I relied heavily on the
experience and knowledge of those around me to complete the task. As a result, I gained a great
appreciation for the technical competence and the willingness to help of the experienced
engineers at MPR.
Since my first assignment, I have worked on piping systems at nuclear power plants,
replacement hardware to be installed inside a reactor, and the Y2K problem for a client
building gas turbine power plants in Brazil. In addition, I have been challenged by classes
offered at MPR that have covered nuclear power plant technology, materials, and structural
analysis methods. In the tasks I have performed this past year, the impression of MPR I gained
during my first assignment has not changed — I am surrounded by engineers who take an
active interest in the growth of my technical knowledge and in the responsibilities I take on.
I had some trepidation about moving from a laid back area like Blacksburg, Virginia to a busy
area like Washington, D.C., but living in this area has provided me with many activities outside
of work. For example, I currently play on several soccer teams that compete in the D.C. area,
including an indoor soccer team made up primarily of MPR employees. In the past year, the D.C. area
has proven to be a great place to live.
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