Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester, 2023
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester, 2019
  • B.S., Physics, University of Texas, Austin, 2015
Licenses & Certifications
  • FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)
Professional Affiliations
  • ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
  • APS (American Physical Society)
Languages
  • Spanish

Dr. Ibanez has professional and academic experience in analyzing fluid mechanics and structures, including fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analyses. His projects have involved structural analysis of oil and gas offshore systems, fluid mechanics related to biomedical and mixing in biophysical applications, oceanographic fluid flow research and experimental research of the transition to instability in density varying fluid flows. Projects have involved use of computational, analytic and experimental approaches. Tools used in the projects included Flexcom, Abaqus, ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL, Python, MATLAB, CNC Machining, CAD design and CAM using Autodesk and SolidWorks.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Ibanez worked on structural analyses of oil and gas offshore systems involving global riser analysis and component design support. His work was performed for various offshore operators. The analyses consisted of strength and fatigue assessments to determine the feasibility of riser systems for the intended operations.

During his doctoral degree, Dr. Ibanez researched fluid flows in the context of biophysical applications. He developed an experimental model of peristaltic pumping in the inner ear, which was complemented with analytic and numerical analysis using COMSOL simulations. His findings demonstrated that peristaltic pumping may be a key mechanism in the function of the inner ear. He also studied oscillating flows in looped channels where bifurcations are present. These looped channel systems are present in microfluidic applications and biological systems. Using an experimental model, he was able to determine that the geometric features of bifurcations can lead to an oscillating flow to become rectified such that a net flow inside the loop is produced. He complemented his experimental findings by developing an analytical model and using numerical simulations in ANSYS Fluent to determine the underlying mechanism that produced the rectification effect.