Dassou Nagassou
Middletown
Summary
Dynamic mechanical engineering professional with a proven track record at Penn State University, excelling in renewable energy research and curriculum development. Expertise in Python programming and laboratory management, complemented by strong leadership skills. Authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, enhancing academic contributions and fostering student engagement in STEM initiatives. Innovative Visiting Assistant Professor known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in curriculum development, research methodology, and academic publishing. Excel in fostering student engagement, critical thinking, and effective communication in educational settings. Ready to leverage collaborative abilities and adaptability to enhance learning environments and contribute to academic success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
University of N'Djamena
N'Djamena
10.2024 - Current
- Deliver courses regarding renewable energy engineering, emphasizing energy storage and management within graduate programParticipated in international exchange programs with universities abroad.
- Participated in international exchange programs with universities abroad.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay abreast of current trends in education.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Penn State University
Harrisburg
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Instructed courses on Thermodynamics, Engineering Dynamics, Heat Transfer, and Capstone Design Project across multiple semesters.
- Conducted research aligned with strategic departmental goals in renewable energy and plasma engineering.
- Advised and mentored undergraduate and graduate students in School of Science, Engineering, and Technology.
- Engaged in outreach initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through 'Environmentor' program for high school STEM education.
- Attended meetings with administrators, deans, and other key stakeholders regarding curricular matters.
- Created assessment tools for evaluating student performance in coursework.??
Laboratory Operations Manager
University of Illinois
Urbana
11.2019 - 08.2022
- Provided leadership in safety, operations, and reliability for five research laboratories in aerospace engineering.
- Configured a 2.4m3 ultra-high vacuum chamber for space-environment experiments.
- Designed collecting manifold to efficiently channel liquid nitrogen from six Dewars to vacuum chamber.
- Authored standard operating procedure for vacuum system operation, enhancing user guidance.
- Collaborated on safety documentation for multimode propellant preparation in laboratory settings.
- Secured $30K grant for equipment upgrade, recognized as winner of 2022 Grainger Small Equipment Grant Program.
- Contributed to sustainability grant focused on reducing water waste in EPL Laboratories as part of Student Sustainability Committee.
- Led training for two students on operation of 5"x5" supersonic wind tunnel.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Developed key performance indicators to measure effectiveness of operational processes.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Massachusetts
Lowell
12.2018 - 11.2019
- Engineered two innovative solar-plasma flow reactors for carbon dioxide decomposition into solar fuels.
- Enhanced reactor efficiency by over 40% using design of experiments and optical diagnostics techniques.
- Authored eight peer-reviewed journal publications, contributing to advancements in chemical syntheses.
- Organized and maintained laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies needed for experiments.
- Delivered presentations, posters, and talks at conferences and research symposiums.
- Achieved certification in proposal writing for NIH, NSF, and DOE grants.
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant
University of Massachusetts
Lowell
09.2014 - 12.2018
- Designed and built over six prototypes of solar-plasma reactors.
- Conducted experiments to collect, analyze, and validate data using Python and LabVIEW.
- Coached and mentored eight undergraduate and two graduate research students.
- Facilitated discussions in heat transfer and thermodynamics for senior mechanical engineering students.
- Led lab group discussions for juniors and sophomores in introduction to mechanical engineering.
- Provided technical assistance in the use of software for data analysis.
- Prepared reports summarizing research findings for presentation to faculty members and other stakeholders.
Power Plant Supervisor
ExxonMobil Affiliate
Doba
12.2011 - 09.2016
- Oversaw daily operations of Oil & Gas production plant with 250,000 barrel per day capacity.
- Supervised 120-megawatt electric power generation and over 376 km distribution system.
- Reviewed production trends to implement process adjustments for optimal performance.
- Coached 36 production technicians and 4 Advisors through training and feedback processes.
- Allocated resources efficiently to maintain continuous plant operations.
- Fostered collaboration among engineering, maintenance, and operations teams, achieving over 95% equipment reliability.
- Acted as Person-in-Charge during emergencies and power outages to ensure stability.
- Managed budget and approved operating expenses for plant activities.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Production Best Practices Coordinator
ExxonMobil Affiliate
Doba
08.2009 - 12.2011
- Established annual plant asset objectives focusing on safety, production volumes, and operating costs.
- Stewarded implementation plan with Operations manager to enhance asset profitability.
- Conducted two internal audits to verify management responsibilities and accountabilities.
- Facilitated annual business plan reviews and presented findings to senior management.
- Drove continuous improvement initiatives using EMCAPS process for brownfield projects.
- Introduced four new best practices within EEPCI organization, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure projects were completed on time and within budget.
- Facilitated communication between different departments in order to resolve issues quickly.
Education
PhD - Energy Engineering
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.A02-2019
Masters - Energy Engineering
International Institute For Water And Environmental Engineering (2iE)
Burkina-Faso03-2010
Diplôme d'Ingénieur des Travaux Publics - Civil Engineering
Ecole Nationale Des Travaux Publics
N'Djamena, ChadSkills
- Particle image velocimetry
- Data analysis software
- Schlieren imaging
- Spectroscopy techniques
- Flow visualization
- Pressure-sensitive paint
- Wind tunnel analysis
- Femtosecond laser applications
- Microsoft Office suite
- Excel and Word proficiency
- Access database management
- SolidWorks design
- Python programming
- COMSOL simulations
- ANSYS modeling
- LabVIEW development
- Lathe operation
- Milling machine expertise
- Thermodynamics
- Renewable energy engineering
- Laboratory management
- Curriculum development
- Grant writing
- Research methodology
Awards
- Fulbright Academic development award
- Outstanding doctoral student award
- Best poster award, Research Symposium
Publications
Decomposition of CO2 in a solar-gliding arc plasma reactor: effects of water, nitrogen, methane, and process optimization, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 38, 2020, 39-48, Carbon dioxide conversion by solar-enhanced microwave plasma: Effect of specific power and argon/nitrogen carrier gases, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 34, 2019, 725-732, Solar-gliding arc plasma reactor for carbon dioxide decomposition: design and characterization, Solar Energy, 2019, 180, 678-689, Design and characterization of a solar-enhanced microwave plasma reactor for atmospheric pressure carbon dioxide decomposition, Plasma Source Sci Technol., 28, 2019, 065001, Enhanced solar radiation absorption by carbon dioxide in thermodynamic nonequilibrium: A computational study, Solar Energy, 2020, 195, 369-381, Photo-thermochemical decomposition of carbon-dioxide in direct solar receiver-reactor, Solar Energy, 2019, 178, 201-214, Design and characterization of an electromagnetic-resonant cavity microwave plasma reactor for atmospheric pressure carbon dioxide decomposition, Plasma Processes and Polymers, 2018, Solar Photo-Thermochemical Reactor Design for Carbon Dioxide Processing, Solar Energy, 2017, 142, 253-266, Ammonia-Based Green Plasma Propulsion System via Gliding-Arc Discharge, Annual Meeting of AIAA SCITECH, Orlando, Florida, 01/06/2025 - 01/10/2025, Gaps, Challenges, and Successes in Green Propulsion, Annual Meeting of AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, Las Vegas, Nevada, 07/29/2024 - 08/02/2024, On the Potential for Enhancement of Solar Thermochemical Synthesis Processes by Nonequilibrium Plasma, Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 10/29/2017 - 11/03/2017, Direct Receiver-Reactor for Solar PhotoThermochemical Processing, ASME Power & Energy Conference, San Diego, California, 06/28/2015 - 07/02/2015, High-Flux Solar Simulator and Solar Photo-Thermal Reactor: Design and Analysis, ASME 8th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Boston, Massachusetts, 06/30/2014 - 07/02/2014
Phone
- Cell, +1.978.259.5917, US
- Cell, +23567783755, Chad
Service
- Served on Faculty Affair Committee and Capstone Committee.
- Mentored local high school students in STEM fields.
- Participated in DOE student challenge to design and build a 'Net-zero' house.
- Served as president of solar club at University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
- Volunteered in climate change initiative events.
Languages
French
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Timeline
Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
University of N'Djamena
10.2024 - Current
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Penn State University
08.2022 - 06.2024
Laboratory Operations Manager
University of Illinois
11.2019 - 08.2022
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Massachusetts
12.2018 - 11.2019
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant
University of Massachusetts
09.2014 - 12.2018
Power Plant Supervisor
ExxonMobil Affiliate
12.2011 - 09.2016
Production Best Practices Coordinator
ExxonMobil Affiliate
08.2009 - 12.2011
PhD - Energy Engineering
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Masters - Energy Engineering
International Institute For Water And Environmental Engineering (2iE)
Diplôme d'Ingénieur des Travaux Publics - Civil Engineering
Ecole Nationale Des Travaux Publics
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