Dr. Hamel is a dedicated educator and researcher with a varied background in multiple engineering disciplines. His current research interests are focused on engineering design optimization and engineering decision-making under uncertainty, and he has taught courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, experimental data analysis, engineering design and flight stability. Dr. Hamel is a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as an officer and a naval aviator. Dr. Hamel received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Hamel is also a licensed professional engineer (PE).