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In Memoriam: Iraj Kalkhoran

Posted:
October 17, 2016
Iraj Kalkhoran

The entire NYU Tandon School of Engineering community is saddened by the recent death of Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Academics and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Iraj Kalkhoran, who was affiliated with the school for almost three decades, having joined the faculty not long after earning his doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in the late 1980s.

To read through a list of Professor Kalkhoran’s publications, grants, research interests, and patents is to be impressed by the depth and breadth of his scholarly work. His areas of expertise included high-speed aerodynamics, aero-propulsion, and wind tunnel design and testing, and his earliest work focused on experimental supersonic aerodynamics involving the interaction of shock waves and vortices, including pioneering research on what happens when vortices (swirling masses of fluid or gas) break down under supersonic conditions.

When the school maintained a campus on Long Island, he was deeply involved in research conducted in what was then one of the country’s few academic supersonic tunnels, which was able to operate above Mach 2.5 — meaning two-and-a-half times the speed of sound in the medium. The tunnel simulated conditions encountered by missiles and high-speed aircraft, and the research findings by Kalkhoran and other School of Engineering faculty were extremely valuable to NASA, the U.S. Army and Air Force, and others.

Professor Kalkhoran’s later research focused on thrust reversing (diverting an aircraft engine's exhaust to cause deceleration) and thrust vectoring (manipulating the direction of the thrust as a means of controlling altitude or angular velocity), as well as on novel techniques to reduce noise from high-speed jets. (He holds a patent for a method of doing so via fluidic injection.)

Iraj was, as fellow researchers have pointed out, one of the few remaining experimentalists studying high-speed flows and shock waves, an enormously challenging area in which good experimental data are hard to come by but essential for understanding the fundamental physics, designing new applications, and improving current ones. 

In addition to being a stellar researcher, Professor Kalkhoran displayed a deep commitment to the overall state of engineering education; among his many roles at the school was the founding of the Center for Faculty Innovations in Teaching and Learning (FITL), which is dedicated to advancing educational best practices. Upon making the move from Farmingdale to Brooklyn, he readily assumed the role of associate dean of undergraduate academics — later adding graduate academics to his responsibilities — and in those capacities he became known for his fierce advocacy on behalf of his students, as well as his devotion to them and belief in their talents.

Iraj was instrumental in nurturing an entrepreneurial ethos at the school, a driving force in the adoption of its Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship focus. He was responsible for launching the Undergraduate Summer Research Program, by which aspiring young scientists and engineers spend 10 weeks conducting hands-on research under distinguished faculty mentors.

At the School of Engineering, Professor Kalkhoran will long be remembered as a brilliant colleague, devoted teacher, and stellar role model to all lucky enough to know him. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family.

Memories of Iraj Kalkhoran: Teacher, Administrator, Researcher, and Friend

Iraj Kalkhoran was a man of many layers who took chances on those he thought were worth it. He was not only my boss but he was my mentor, my second father, and my friend.  He treated every person with respect and as an equal.  He loved his family, he loved his staff, he loved the Summer Research Program, and he also really loved teaching. I remember seeing him teach a session of his Aerospace Propulsion course and it was amazing. He completely transformed, his eyes lit up when he engaged with the students. Most of all, Iraj loved the school. He dedicated half of his life to this school and always fought for its students, its staff, its historic preservation, and its mission. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the many programs he created and the many people he touched.

 — Sara-Lee Ramsawak, Associate Director of Academic Affairs


I was among the last doctoral students who worked with Professor Kalkhoran at the school’s former Long Island campus. Sometimes one event can change the entire course of your life, and for me that was meeting Professor Kalkhoran and getting the chance to conduct research with him in the school’s wind tunnel. I would have never accomplished what I have professionally without his guidance, and the four-and-a-half years I spent studying with him were among the most gratifying I’ve had.

— Ivana Milanovic, (Ph.D, Mechanical Engineering, ’00) Professor, University of Hartford, Member of the Connecticut Academy of Engineering and Science, Five-time NASA Faculty Fellow


I am so very sad to learn of the passing of a good friend and colleague, Dr. Iraj Kalkhoran. I met Iraj in 2010 when I was detailed from NASA to work with the Polytechnic team to help realize a vision of Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Iraj was instrumental in leading the team and helping to advance the engineering curriculum and educational goals of the faculty and students. His passion for education and devotion to the students was first and foremost as was his love of aerospace engineering and tireless work ethic. In those two short years, I developed a lasting friendship with Iraj and would always try to visit with him to discuss progress of the now “NYU Tandon School of Engineering.” I was very much hoping to work with Iraj and the NYU team on future projects to advance engineering education and innovation. This is a great loss to NYU, his family, and friends who will treasure the times we all enjoyed knowing a truly great man.

— Charles Camarda, (BS, Aerospace Engineering, ‘74), Senior Advisor for Engineering Development, NASA Langley Research Center.


I took aerodynamics with him and jet engines too. I remember he once said how everybody makes a big deal about how rocket scientists are so smart, but he said that's no big deal compared with fluid dynamics and jet engines, because not only do you have to account for combustion, but also the fluid flow. That stuck with me, and I thought it was a fascinating way to think about it. I ended up moving to Arizona and getting my Ph.D. in fluid dynamics. Thanks to him and other key fluid dynamics professors, I surely would not be where I am today.

— Mike Roberts, (BS, Mechanical Engineering, ’04) Process Engineer, Intel Corporation


Iraj was an extraordinary man – talented and wise and deeply good. He understood the special needs of young women engineers. I feel so grateful for the time I had with him. To say that he will be missed is a gross understatement.

— Dede Bartlett, NYU Tandon Thompson-Bartlett Summer Research Fellowship Program Sponsor


When I came to Poly in early 2007 Iraj was one of the first people I was introduced to by then Provost Erich Kunhardt.  In late March of 2007, Kunhardt charged Iraj to ‘do something’ that will give our undergraduate students some exposure to research and he told Iraj that I could help him.  Iraj did not need my help.  In less than 2 months, he put our first Undergraduate Summer Research Program together and ran it as a pilot program for about 30 students.  Ten years later, the program is a cornerstone of our extracurricular offerings to our students,  involves more than 100 students every summer in cutting-edge research, and includes students from NYU Abu Dhabi and other schools of NYU.

— Kurt Becker, Vice Dean for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, Professor of Applied Physics, and Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Iraj could be described as “student-centric.” He really cared about them and was totally invested in their success. He pushed them because he believed so wholeheartedly in their abilities. It was especially impressive that despite his many administrative duties he insisted on teaching each and every semester. As the aerospace industry left New York, and other career paths opened to students, he was almost single-handedly responsible for keeping the field of study going at the school, and it remains one of our most popular minors.

— Richard Thorsen, Chair, NYU Tandon Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Vice President Emeritus


In Farmingdale, Iraj had one of the singular test facilities in the country, and his enthusiasm for this work was unbounded.  In Brooklyn, I saw Iraj working with the students as the undergraduate advisor.  He was one of the most gracious persons at the school, and his energy was a joy.

— William R. McShane, Professor Emeritus, NYU Tandon Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
 

I was privileged to work closely with Iraj for years. He was directly responsible for the success of the Coordinated Engineering Program I run, which allows students to complete two years at Brooklyn College and then finish their degree at Tandon. He had such a broad and insightful view of engineering education. That our two schools have such a wonderful relationship is a testament to him. 

— Viraht Sahni, Head of the Coordinated Engineering Program at Brooklyn College


Iraj was committed to excellence and to improving the students’ academic experience at the school.  He was firm and fair with everyone, but he had a soft spot for students and always looked for ways to help them.

— Sunil Kumar, NYU Tandon Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor and Interim Vice Provost of Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs and Global Network Professor of Engineering of NYU Abu Dhabi
 

Dr. Kalkhoran was a highly regarded scientist, a well-respected professor and a gentleman. Although he was a tough teacher, he was liked by all his students. We all miss him badly.

— Said Nourbakhsh, NYU Tandon Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor


I really enjoyed my time as a Ph.D. student with Iraj. We did some great experiments in the supersonic wind tunnel.  I have a photo of Iraj, along with our technician at that time, Lester Orlick, standing in front of the high pressure bottle bank which we had just painted. I learned a lot from both these guys, and am very saddened that Iraj has passed away.

— Michael Smart, (Ph.D., Aeronautics & Astronautics, ’96) Professor, University of Queensland, School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering
 

He was a professor I will never forget. Not only did he care about what he taught, but he also cared about his students. He asked how our other classes were going or if we were having trouble balancing everything. As a dean, he wanted to make sure the students were happy. He also taught us about life – like how to work well with others and that there are more important things then grades. The industry is very different from college and he wanted us to succeed beyond our university years. He was definitely one of the best professors I ever had.

— Matt Newman, (BS, ME, ’09) Systems Designer, Siemens


It is with extraordinary sadness that I write that our colleague, Professor Iraj Kalkhoran, is no more. As you may know, Iraj has been battling lymphoma for about two years and underwent aggressive treatment for a while. He had recently decided not to pursue further treatment, and, alas, died yesterday early morning. Iraj had been on our faculty for 27 years and served the institution in many capacities, most recently as Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Academics, and cared immensely for our students. I know that we will miss him greatly, and have conveyed to the family, on behalf of all us, our sincere condolences.

— Message from Dean Katepalli Sreenivasan on Thursday, September 29, 2016

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