Students
Kyle Ackermann
Graduate Research Assistant
Kyle Ackermann graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in May of 2021. Kyle was an active member of Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Honorary at Ohio State where he led exam review sessions and tutored underclassmen. He joined the HORIZON group the following fall as a Ph.D student working under Phil Kreth. Kyle enjoys spending his free time playing Piano, Spikeball, and Rocket League.
Daniel Allen
Graduate Research Assistant
Daniel Allen grew up in Seymour, TN as an avid hillbilly who spent most of his free time exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by camping, hiking, and swimming. His hobbies include extensively adventuring anywhere he ends up and seeing how many flips he can do after leaping off cliffs into water. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering. In his time at UT, he was the Treasurer of the Gymnastics Club for three years. He is now pursuing his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Jacob Butera
Graduate Research Assistant
Jacob was raised in Biloxi, Mississippi where he graduated from Biloxi High School. He then attended Mississippi State University and graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in Spring of 2021. He joined the HORIZON research group as a graduate research assistant the following summer. During his time at UTSI, Jacob will be pursuing a Master’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He will also be doing research on high speed flows under the direction of John Schmisseur. Jacob intends to translate this experience into a career in greater than Mach flight.
Shelby Ledbetter
Graduate Research Assistant
Shelby Ledbetter was raised in Bristol, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2022 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering with Honors. On campus, she was involved with AIAA as the organization secretary and volunteered with many groups on and off campus such as Habitat for Humanity and Leaders for Readers. Shelby previously interned with HORIZON on numerous occasions learning diagnostic tools such as Focused Laser Differential Interferometry, and Pressure Sensitive Paint Analysis. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. with the group under direction of Mark Gragston.
Zane Shoppell
Graduate Research Assistant
Zane Shoppell was raised in White Pigeon, Michigan and graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. of Aerospace Engineering in 2021. Zane currently is working towards his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering under the guidance of John Schmisseur. His professional interests include high-speed aerothermodynamics, and hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. His personal interests include sports, video games, kayaking, movies, and competing with Daniel Allen for who tells worse puns.