ERIC MEHIEL

professor

I am currently a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  I just finished up a four-year term as the Associate Dean for Diversity and Student Success for the College of Engineering. As Associate Dean, I lead the college efforts to promote a culture based in love, empathy, and respect, where students, faculty, and staff can thrive as their authentic selves.  These efforts resulted in a College Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan which we are implementing at all levels.
 
My research focuses on developing the tools required to design and analyze complex aerospace systems. Working with undergraduate and graduate students, and guided by industry needs, my team is developing tools rooted in Model Based Systems Engineering. The outcome of this research (the Horizon Simulation Framework) is used to model, simulate and analyze the end-to-end behavior of complex aerospace systems.
 
I joined Cal Poly in the fall of 2004 and have taught courses in spaceflight mechanics, dynamics and control, systems engineering, numerical analysis, and spacecraft design. Prior to joining Cal Poly, I worked at The Boeing Company as a System Engineer as part of the Space and Intelligence Systems division. I earned my B.S. in physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and M.S. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with an emphasis in non-linear dynamics and control theory.
 
I live happily on the California Central Coast and enjoy an active life-style with my wife, two kids and family dogs. I enjoy mountain biking, golf, kayaking, hiking, skiing and camping in the many places available around the county and state. I can surf, but not well.
 

 

 

Research Interests

  • Model Based Systems Engineering
  • Modeling and Simulation of Control Systems

Office Hours for Spring 2024

M: 3-5pm