Peyman Givi

2022 Alumni Achievement Award

Bio

While Peyman Givi’s work may be highly theoretical, his impact on his field, his students and his community are far from it.

A modern-day rocket scientist, Peyman is widely recognized as a world leader for his work in computational simulation and mathematical modeling of reactive systems of importance in propulsion. He is equally lauded as a uniquely talented researcher, scholar and mentor.

His education began at Youngstown State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering before earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. from CMU’s College of Engineering. Over the span of his career, he has been credited as one of the original developers of direct numerical simulation of turbulent reacting flows and is currently developing new techniques for large eddy simulation of such flows. Peyman has significantly influenced NASA's advanced propulsion programs and impacted private industry, where engine companies have used his concepts in their design codes for turbojet engine development and design. Peyman currently serves as the Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh where his work focuses on investigating the potential of quantum computing for solving problems in aerospace science and engineering.

In recognition of considerable contributions to his field, he has received numerous honors including NASA’s highest civilian award, the Public Service Medal, and the Presidential Faculty Fellowship, which he received at the White House. He is the first and only member of the University of Pittsburgh faculty to have been elected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, an honor he shares with Neil Armstrong and Wernher von Braun. Additionally, he is also achieved Fellow status in every prime professional society for his field.

Peyman generously gives his time and services to the scientific community, serving as a mentor to Ph.D. students, many of whom have gone on to become successful researchers, scientists, engineers and distinguished educators themselves. He helps to organize large conferences and workshops in the United States and abroad, delivers numerous lectures throughout the year and serves on editorial boards of several top ranked journals.