Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 2012
  • M.S., Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 2008
  • B.S., Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2007
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Arizona, #82319
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, California, #39560
  • Professional Engineer, Colorado, #PE.0059956
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Nevada, #033216
  • 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Certification (HAZWOPER)
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
Additional Education & Training
  • Gas Turbine Engine Accident Investigation Course, University of Southern California Aviation Safety & Security Program
  • Fire Investigation 1A: Basic Fire Investigation, California Office of the State Fire Marshal
Professional Honors
  • Outstanding Ph.D. Recipient in Aerospace Engineering, UCLA, 2012-2013
  • NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) Fellowship, 2008-2011
Professional Affiliations
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (member)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (member)
  • National Fire Protection Association (member)

Dr. Getsinger specializes in accident investigation and design/performance/safety reviews of thermal-fluid processes and equipment, with primary experience in propulsion and power generation systems. He applies his expertise in fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, and experimental design across a wide range of complex industrial problems involving fires, explosions, and thermal or flow-driven failures. 

Dr. Getsinger has extensive experience in using laboratory testing and analysis to break down complex phenomena and drive technology development. Dr. Getsinger has performed origin and cause evaluations of fires, explosions and failures involving gas turbines, air compressors, fuel gas compressors, pumps, hydraulic systems, industrial heat exchangers, furnaces, consumer appliances, fireworks, and munitions. He is regularly called upon to evaluate incidents in the context of relevant codes and standards, equipment installation and maintenance requirements and recommendations, and federal, state and local regulations.

Dr. Getsinger has over three years of experience in turbomachinery R&D, coupled with an academic background geared towards fundamental studies of fluidic mixing as utilized in propulsion and energy systems. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Getsinger worked in the Aero-Thermal and Mechanical Systems organization at GE Global Research. In this role, he led and worked within teams on innovative problem-solving for GE's Aviation and Power gas turbine engines. This work made critical design improvements possible by using fundamental building-block tests to gain insight into flow physics. His efforts resulted in two patents, and enabled advanced turbine cooling technologies in several fielded and future engine products.

Dr. Getsinger's academic experience includes positions as a postdoctoral scholar and graduate student researcher in the Energy and Propulsion Research Laboratory at UCLA. He conducted experimental work on shear layer instabilities in gaseous jets in crossflow, with applications including pollution efflux, high-speed projectile control, and gas turbine cooling/NOx emissions tuning. He gained significant experience with instrumentation and techniques for fluid velocity measurement and mixing quantification. Dr. Getsinger also taught an undergraduate course in fluid mechanics in the UCLA Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department during his time as a postdoctoral scholar.