Millennium Magazine_5th Ed

165 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine I n pursuit of an education, Dr. Roger Lyndon Simpson received a scholarship to the University of Virginia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1964. With this success, he received a National Science Foundation Fellowship, earning a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1965 and a PhD in 1968, both from Stanford University. Dr. Simpson’s career began in1968 as adevelopment engineer for theGeneral Electric Nuclear Energy Division, engaged in experimental two phase heat transfer and flow research. When a new opportunity arose in 1969, he became a professor at Southern Methodist University and a registered professional engineer inTexas. Henot only taught but led thedesignandconstructionof two turbulent boundary layer wind tunnels, designed a new technology 3-velocity- component laser anemometer, and was the first to describe the detailed structure of practical turbulent stalled flows such as occur on airplanes and in jet engines. This pioneering work led to international recognition and later to becoming a Fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he later held several elected offices: vice president of education, vice president of publications, and president from 2005 to 2007. In 1983, Dr. Simpson returned to his native Virginia, becoming the Jack E. Cowling Professor of Aerospace andOcean Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. He continued work on the structure of stalled turbulent flows, now including 3D vortex flows, using new laser anemometer designs and unique facilities that simulated the dynamic motions of maneuvering airplanes and submarines. These experimental results were recognized as major contributions to aid computer simulations of these practical flows. With this background, Dr. Simpson led AUR, Inc., to create cost-effective patented streamlined fairing designs (scAURTM) for bridge piers and abutments that prevent for all water flow speeds the vortical flows that scour away the supportive rock and soil and can destroy a bridge. Full-scale testing under National Academy of Sciences support have proven these designs. He appreciates all of the support and encouragement of many people. ROGER LYNDON SIMPSON PRESIDENT, AUR, INC. JACK E. COWLING PROFESSOR EMERITUS, VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY Blacksburg, VA ENERGY, ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING