Bio
Dr. O’Dowd is Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Propulsion Discipline Director at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Prior to this position, Dr. O’Dowd was a Systems Engineering Manager for a government contractor in support of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent System (GBSD) program management office. He also served 23 years in the Air force as a developmental engineer in a diverse mix of aerospace experiences, to include flight test, program office leadership, research and development, and aerospace intelligence analysis and production. Dr. O’Dowd earned his Doctorate in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, UK in 2011. He also has a M.S. from the University of Washington in 1998 and a B.S. from the Air Force Academy in 1997. As the discipline director for propulsion in the Department of Aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. O’Dowd teaches courses in aero-thermodynamics, engine cycle analysis, engine components, and aircraft engine design. His current research interests include turbine cascade wind tunnel research and engine operability studies.
Education
DPhil, Engineering Science, Univ. of Oxford (2011)
M.S., Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington (1998)
B.S., Aeronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy (1997)
Professional Experience
Associate Professor of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) (2022-present)
Systems Engineering Manager, BAE Systems (2020-2022)
96th Range Group Deputy Director, Eglin AFB, Florida (2018-2020)
Associate Professor and Director of the Aeronautics Laboratory, USAFA (2016-2018)
Adjunct Faculty, USAF Test Pilot School (2016-2017)
Assistant Professor and Deputy for Personnel and Assessment, USAFA (2014-2016)
GPS Architectures and Requirements Branch Chief, Los Angeles AFB (2011-2013)
Assistant Professor and Personnel Officer, USAFA (2005-2007)
Ballistic Missiles Subsystems Branch Chief, National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2004)
Executive Officer, Air and Electronic Systems Directorate, NASIC (2003-2004)
Lead Advanced System Engineer, NASIC (2002-2003)
Chief, Bomber Offensive Avionics Test Section, Edwards AFB, CA (1998-2002)
Honors & Awards
BAE Systems Business Leader Award for Innovating for Success in Modeling Success for BAE Across the DoD, 2020
Outstanding Academy Educator, USAFA Dept of Aeronautics, Academic Year 2016-2017
Outstanding Graduate (top 1% of non-resident students), Air War College, 2014
Daley/Orlofsky Award (service to the USAFA Dept of Aeronautics), Spring 2007
Inducted into Sigma Gamma Tau, USAFA Chapter, Spring 1999
Gordon C. Oates Memorial Endowed Fellowship, University of Washington 1997
Inducted into Tau Beta Pi, USAFA Chapter, Spring 1997
Numerous military decorations, individual awards and team awards
Research and Scholarly Interests
University education and research in aircraft propulsion and engine component testing, to include internal combustion and gas turbine engines.
Publications
Devin O. O'Dowd and Aaron R. Byerley, “Computational Aid to AEDsys for Designing a Gas Turbine Variable-Area Nozzle,” ASME Paper GT2018-77173, June 2018, Lillestrøm Norway.
Aaron R. Byerley, Kurt P. Rouser, and Devin O. O'Dowd, “Exploring GASTURB 12 for Supplementary Use on an Introductory Propulsion Design Project,” ASME Paper GT2017-63465, June 2017, Charlotte, NC.
Aaron R. Byerley, Cory A. Cooper, and Devin O. O'Dowd, “Teaching Risk Analysis for Use in an Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Capstone Design Course,” AIAA 2016-4528, 52nd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, Salt Lake City, July 2016.
O'Dowd, D. O., Zhang, Q., He, L., Cheong, B. C. Y., and Tibbott, I., “Aerothermal Performance of a Cooled Winglet at Engine Representative Mach and Reynolds Numbers,” ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol. 135, No. 1, p. 011041, 2012. (previously a conference paper)
Zhang, Q., O'Dowd, D. O., He, L., Oldfield, M. L. G., and Ligrani, P. M., “Transonic Turbine Blade Tip Aerothermal Performance With Different Tip Gaps—Part I: Tip Heat Transfer,” ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol., 133, No. 4, p. 041027, 2011. (previously a conference paper)
O’Dowd, D. O., Zhang, Q., Usandizaga, I., He, L., and Ligrani, P. M., “Transonic Turbine Blade Tip Aero-Thermal Performance With Different Tip Gaps: Part II—Tip Aerodynamic Loss,” ASME Paper GT2010-22780, June 2010.
O'Dowd, D. O., Zhang, Q., He, L., Oldfield, M.L.G., Ligrani, P. M., Cheong, B. C. Y., and Tibbott, I., “Aerothermal Performance of a Winglet at Engine Representative Mach and Reynolds Numbers,” ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol. 133, No. 4, p. 041026, 2011. (previously a conference paper)
Zhang, Q., O'Dowd, D. O., He, L., Wheeler, A. P. S., Ligrani, P. M., and Cheong, B. C. Y., “Overtip Shock Wave Structure and Its Impact on Turbine Blade Tip Heat Transfer,” ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol. 133, No. 4, p. 041001, 2011.
O'Dowd, D. O., Zhang, Q., He, L., Ligrani, P. M., and Friedrichs, S., “Comparison of Heat Transfer Measurement Techniques on a Transonic Turbine Blade Tip,” ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol. 133, No. 2, p. 021028, 2011. (previously a conference paper)
M. Davis, D. Beale, K. Boyer, D. O’Dowd, “An Example For Integrated Gas Turbine Engine Testing and Analysis Using Modeling and Simulation”, Paper presented in December 2006, International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Modeling and Simulation Conference.