Dr. David Blunck

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Program in the College of Engineering

Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering (MIME)

 

Education 

Ph.D., Purdue University - Indiana, August 2010

M.S., Purdue University - Indiana, May 2008

B.S., Brigham Young University, April 2005

 

Bio

Dr. David Blunck is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Program in the College of Engineering at Oregon State University, and is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering.  He has established the Combustion, Ignition, Radiation and Energy (CIRE) Laboratory and co-founded the Propulsion Laboratory. His research focuses on combustion processes for wildfire and propulsion applications.  As a result, his research ranges from studying smoldering combustion (which burns at mm/s) to detonations (which burn at 1 km/s).  In 2015 he was named the AIAA Pacific Northwest Section Young Engineer of the Year and in 2016 he received an ONR Young Investigator Award for combustion research.  Prior to joining OSU (in 2013) he was the lead investigator in fundamental combustor research at Air Force Research Laboratory (2010 – 2013) and a graduate research assistant at Purdue University (2005-2010).  During his time at AFRL, Dr. Blunck’s was the recipient of a Simpson Team Award (2013), and was nominated for a Presidential Early Career Award from the Propulsion Directorate (2011).  At Purdue University, Dr. Blunck conducted studies of infrared radiation emissions from exhaust plumes and flames.  He received a Department of Homeland Security Fellowship (2007 – 2010), was named the Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Mechanical Engineering (2010), and received the Graduate Student Excellence Award from the University (2010).  He received a bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University in 2005.  Dr. Blunck has authored over 100 peer-reviewed or conference publications, 2 sections in books, and has provided over 40 invited presentations.  He, his wife, 4 sons, 3 goats, 6 pigs and 20 chickens live in Albany, OR.

Professional Experience

September 2022 - present Associate Dean for Undergraduate Program
College of Engineering
Oregon State University
September 2019 - present Associate Professor
School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
Oregon State University
July 2019 - Sept. 2022 Associate Head for Undergraduate Program
School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
Oregon State University
Dec. 2015- June 2018 Welty Faculty Fellow, endowed position
School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
Oregon State University
Sept. 2013- Sept. 2019 Assistant Professor
School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
Oregon State University
Aug. 2010- Aug. 2013 Mechanical Engineer (staff researcher)
Gas Turbine Engine Division, Combustion Branch
Air Force Research Laboratory
Jun. 2012- July 2012 Visiting Researcher
Technical University of Munich
Dr. Thomas Sattelmayer’s group
Jun. 2009- Aug. 2009 Summer Research Fellowship
Gas Turbine Engine Division, Combustion Branch
Air Force Research Laboratory
Aug. 2005- Aug. 2010 Graduate Research Assistant
School of Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University
2008 – 2009 Adjunct Faculty Member
Academic Skills Advancement Department
Ivy Tech Community College

 

 



Journals (39+) Conference Proceedings (68+) Invited Talks (40)  Significant

Honors & Awards

  • Oregon State University College of Engineering Research Collaboration Award, 2019
  • Engelbrecht Young Faculty Award Nominee, 2017 and 2018
  • ONR Young Investigator Award, 2016
  • Welty Faculty Fellowship (endowed position), 2015 - 2018
  • Doctoral New Investigator Award (American Chemical Society), 2015
  • AIAA Pacific Northwest Section Young Engineer of the Year, 2015
  • Simpson Team Award from Aerospace Systems Directorate, 2012
  • Scientific and Technical Achievement Award from Turbine Engine Division (nominee AFRL/RQT), 2012
  • Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (nominee AFRL/RZ), 2011
  • Graduate Student Excellence Award (sole Ph.D. candidate recipient), Purdue University, 2010
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Purdue University, 2010