Juan David Navarro received his bachelor’s degree (2015) in mechanical engineering (ME) and his master’s degree (2019) in engineering from EAFIT University, Colombia. He then earned a PhD in ME in 2023 at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where he now is a postdoctoral fellow. He developed a unique modeling capability based on the Hypercomplex Spectral Finite Element Method (ZSFEM) to assess, optimize, and deploy effective onboard damage detection sensor systems. Currently, he is designing novel architected materials for drag reduction and flow control in hypersonic vehicles, and in collaboration with Elevate Systems, he is also developing a machine learning system to assess the viability of parts via additive manufacturing. His future research will utilize ZSFEM to investigate the mechanical behavior of architected materials, wave propagation phenomena, and the dynamic behavior of phononic metamaterials. At UTSA, he has mentored a diverse group of undergraduates, including veterans and first-generation students, and he created a series of training materials on YouTube that has become a fundamental source for his students and fellow lab members. As a faculty member, Navarro intends to develop and implement strategies to enhance representation of diverse groups and create inclusive environments. To inspire future generations of engineers, he will work with local schools, organizations, and community groups to offer workshops, mentoring programs, and STEM initiatives.

Research Interests

Developing Novel Architeched Materials with Applications in Hypersonic Flight