Biography

Payam graduated as part of the International Engineering Program (IEP) in 2012 at the University of Rhode Island, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and B.A. in German Language and Literature.

He spent a year in Germany, studying at the Technische Universität Braunschweig (TU-BS), where he assisted with a research project relating to Dampers and Suspension Analysis at the Institute for Automotive Technology. During his time at TU-BS, he was also involved in the Lions Racing Team; a student initiative to design, develop, and build a race car for German Formula Student competitions.

In 2011, Payam completed a 5 month internship at BMW Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in the department titled ‘Functional Integration of Driving Dynamics,’ in Munich Germany, where he helped test the suspension of prototype vehicles.

During his senior year, he participated in undergraduate research designing an experiment to measure pressure drop across micro-channels with varying hydraulic diameters. His Capstone Design Team took third place in the National FAA Design Competition in the category for Airport Management and Planning Challenge.

He completed his graduate studies under Dr. Arun Shukla as part of the Dynamic Photomechanics and Materials Testing Laboratories (DPML) earning a M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. The use of high frame-rate optical methods, strain gauges and pressure transducers were utilized to investigate various dynamic phenomena associated with materials in extreme conditions. His thesis can be seen at the following link: http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/318/

Payam enjoys amateur astrophotography/astronomy, black and white film photography, and swing dancing.