Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Office: 339 John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering
Phone: (616) 331-6046
Email: [email protected]

Education: 

B.S. Mechanical Engineering – Sharif University, Tehran, Iran
M.S. Mechanical Engineering – Sharif University, Tehran, Iran
PhD, Engineering Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 2017

Academic Positions: 

2020 – present | Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, GVSU

2018 – 2020     | Visiting Professor, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, GVSU

Research Interests:

1.     Biomechanics: Mechanics of locomotion in biological systems

2.     Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)

3.     High-Speed Videography: Integration into engineering analysis and pedagogy

Research Interests:

Check out Dr. Jafari's publications and citation record on Google Scholar

Biography:

Dr. Jafari has been a faculty member at Grand Valley State University since 2018, after receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech. His diverse research background mainly includes theoretical analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems, applied to biped locomotion (analysis of a humanoid robot and gait synthesis for running) and aerial dynamics of an articulated multi-body model of flying snakes. He has also studied problems from solid mechanics (stress analysis of composite structures) and fluid mechanics (experimental measurement of flow using particle image velocimetry). 

Courses Taught:

EGR 111:  Introduction to Engineering Graphics
EGR 220: Engineering Measurement and Data Analysis
EGR 209: Mechanics and Machines
EGR 309: Machine Design I
EGR 310: Machine Design Lab
EGR 312: Dynamics
EGR 346: Mechatronic Systems Dynamics and Control (lecture and lab)
EGR 329: Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
EGR 365: Fluid Mechanics (lab)
EGR 290:  Engineering Co-op I
EGR 390:  Engineering Co-op II
EGR 490:  Engineering Co-op III
EGR 485:  Senior Engineering Project I
EGR 486:  Senior Engineering Project II
EGR 399:  Readings in Engineering
EGR 699:  Independent Study in Engineering

Selected Publications:

F. Jafari. (in prep) Interlaminar stresses in laminated cylindrical panels under extension, torsion and bending using stress functions. Composite Structures.

M. Norouzi, F. Jafari, J.S. Pawloski. 2024. An experimental learning activity involving pressure vessels and the generalized Hooke’s law. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Portland, OR.

F. Jafari, D. Holden, R. LaFoy, P.P. Vlachos, J.J. Socha. 2021. The aerodynamics of flying snake airfoils in tandem configuration. Journal of Experimental Biology, 224 (14): jeb233635.

M. Norouzi, J.S. Pawloski, H. Qi, F. Jafari. 2019. Enhancing uncertainty analysis for engineering students. ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL.

F. Jafari, S. Tahmasian, S.D. Ross, J.J. Socha. 2017. Control of the gliding in a flying snake-inspired n-chain model. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 12(6), 066002.