Curriculum vitae

Ahmad Ravangard

Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering
Composite Modeling and Manufacturing Group
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Work authorization: U.S. permanent resident · No sponsorship required

Contact Information

Email

arava001@odu.edu

Phone

+1 (757) 632-5976

Work Authorization

U.S. permanent resident
No sponsorship required

Profiles

LinkedIn Google Scholar Website CMM Group

Research Profile

Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering specializing in advanced composite manufacturing, automated fiber placement, and process-structure-property modeling. Develops multi-physics, finite-element, CFD, and computer-vision workflows to predict resin flow, compaction, microstructural evolution, manufacturing defects, and structural performance. Integrates computational modeling with experimental characterization to guide reliable, manufacturable, high-performance composite structures.

Skills

Modeling & Simulation

Abaqus (packages: CompDam - ComPACT), ANSYS, DigiMAT, OpenFOAM, OpenLB; FEA, CFD/LBM, multi-physics

Programming & HPC

MATLAB, Python, R, Fortran, C++, Wolfram Mathematica, Bash, Linux/Unix, SLURM/PBS

Machine Learning & Computer Vision

CNN segmentation, microstructure analysis, image preprocessing, model evaluation

CAD, Visualization & Data

CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor; Tecplot, OpenSim, GOM Snap/Correlate, ImageJ

Experimental Methods

MTS, Digital Image Correlation (DIC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), SEM, optical microscopy, heat press, autoclave

Research & Communication

Git, DVC, GitHub, LaTeX, LyX, Microsoft Office

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

GPA: 3.88/4.0

Dec 2022 - Present

M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering

University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

GPA: 3.9/4.0

Oct 2013 - Feb 2016

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering

Islamic Azad University of Neyriz, Fars, Iran

GPA: 3.7/4.0

Sep 2008 - Jul 2012

Publications

  1. A. Ravangard, E. Ebrahimi, M. I. Ibne Wahid, A. Kravchenko. Enhancing Open Hole Tension Strength in Carbon Fiber Composites with Thermoplastic Veil Interlayers. SPE ANTEC 2026 - Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, 2026.
  2. A. Ravangard, K. Celebi, S. G. Kravchenko, O. G. Kravchenko. Mitigating Out-of-Plane Fiber Waviness in AFP Laminates with Tow-Gaps via Selective Placement of Thermoplastic Veils. Fibers, 13(11):145, 2025.
  3. D. W. Mulqueen, A. Ravangard, J. D. Bhagatji, S. Kumar, O. G. Kravchenko. Effects of Biomass and Iron Catalyst on Yield of Plant-Based Graphitic Nanoplatelets. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 131629, 2025.
  4. E. Ebrahimi, M. N. Saquib, A. R. Ravangard, et al. Fatigue Performance of Polyamide Glass Fiber Composites Governed by Plastic Deformation and Weave Meso-Structure. American Society for Composites 40th Anniversary, 2025.
  5. D. W. Mulqueen, A. Ravangard, J. D. Bhagatji, S. Kumar, O. G. Kravchenko. Effects of Biomass and Catalyst Selection on Yield and Properties of Plant-Based Graphene Nanoplatelets. Available at SSRN 5334252.
  6. A. Ravangard, O. Kravchenko. Compaction and Mechanical Performance of AFP Composites with Fiber Tow Gaps: Experimental Investigation and Multiphysics Modeling. 24th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM24), 2025.
  7. A. Ravangard, O. Kravchenko. Reducing Out-of-Plane Fiber Waviness in AFP Laminate with Tow Gaps by Selective Placement of Thermoplastic Veils. SAMPE Conference, 2025.
  8. A. Ravangard, V. C. Jamora, J. D. Bhagatji, O. Kravchenko. Mechanics of Resin Rich Regions Formation in AFP Preform with Staggered Fiber Tow Gaps. Sixth International Symposium on Automated Composites Manufacturing (ACM6), 2024.
  9. A. R. Ravangard, V. C. Jamora, J. D. Bhagatji, O. Kravchenko. Origin and Significance of Non-Uniform Morphology in AFP Composites. American Society for Composites (ASC) 38th Annual Technical Conference, 2023.
  10. B. Razmjooei, A. R. Ravangard, L. Momayez, M. Ferchichi. The Influence of Heat Transfer Due to Radiation from a Combustion Chamber. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 147(3):1901-1917, 2022.
  11. A. R. Ravangard, L. Momayez, M. Rashidi. Effects of Geometry on Simulation of Two-Phase Flow in Microchannel with Density and Viscosity Contrast. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 139(1):427-440, 2020.
  12. A. R. Ravangard, R. Kamali. A Numerical Investigation of Kenics Static Mixer as a Heat Exchanger in Separation and Segregation Process of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Conference on Recent Advances in Aerospace and Associated Sciences, 2015.

Research in Progress

  1. A BGKW-Informed Reduced-Conductance Framework for Rarefied Gas Evacuation and Void Collapse in Closing OOA Prepreg Micro-Channels. Manuscript in preparation.
  2. Selective Interlaminar Toughening for Improved Strength and Reduced Notch Sensitivity in Open Hole CFRP Laminates Interleaved with Thin PPS Thermoplastic Veils. Manuscript in preparation.
  3. Automated Detection and Dimensional Characterization of Tow-Gaps in Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Laminates Using Image Processing and Deep Learning. Manuscript in preparation.

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant - Old Dominion University

ODU Research Foundation (Supervisor: Dr. O. Kravchenko)

May 2023-Present

Prior Research Appointments

NSF-funded and departmental research appointments

Dec 2020-Jan 2023

Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Old Dominion University

Appointments across Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Engineering Management, and the College of Engineering & Technology.

Courses Assisted: Solid Mechanics Lab, Statics, CAE Modeling, C++ Programming, Dynamics and Control, Computational Methods (2023), Gas Dynamics (2023)

May 2022-Present

Patents & Inventions

Localized Interfaces with Engineered Functionality for Manufacturable and Damage-Tolerant Laminated Structures

Ravangard, A. (Co-Inventor). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 64/118,350, filed July 24, 2026. Old Dominion University.

Honors & Awards

Prabhu Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering

Old Dominion University

2024-2025

Professional Service & Leadership

ODU SAMPE Student Chapter

Secretary

2025-2026 Academic Year

American Society for Composites (ASC)

Member

Jan 2024-Present

Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE)

Member

Sep 2024-Present