Rate My Professor Elliott Bryner

Dr. Elliott Bryner is Associate Professor and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia. Dr. Bryner brings over 15 years of experience in the propulsion field, specializing in the design, analysis, and testing of engine components and systems in academic, government, and private industry environments. His career trajectory includes serving as Senior Research Engineer in the Propulsion and Energy Machinery section at Southwest Research Institute from 2013 to 2016, where he built a unique combustion facility for high inlet temperature combustor designs; Lead Test Engineer at GE Aviation Turbomachinery Aerodynamics and Aerodynamics Labs from 2010 to 2013, planning aerodynamic and aeromechanical testing; Lead Engineer in GE Aviation Thermal Systems Design from 2006 to 2010, designing a high-flow test cell and leading pressure-sensitive paint system development; Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Virginia Aerospace Research Laboratory from 2001 to 2006; and Mechanical Engineer at Honeywell Engines and Systems from 2000 to 2001.

Dr. Bryner’s research focuses on experimental fluid mechanics, combustion, fluid measurements using conventional and optical techniques, analytical and computational fluid mechanics, heat transfer analysis, and thermal systems design. He possesses extensive expertise in experimental facility design, fabrication, and operation, as well as mechanical and aerodynamic testing of propulsion hardware ranging from combustor rigs to full gas turbine engines. Key achievements include pioneering a Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Tomography prototype at the University of Virginia for spatially resolved water-vapor measurements in scramjet combustors and advancing film cooling effectiveness measurements at GE Aviation. At Embry-Riddle, he oversees the Propulsion Laboratory and Rocket Test Complex, enabling undergraduate-led rocket development and testing initiatives comparable to graduate programs elsewhere. His scholarly contributions feature publications such as “Undergraduates Rocket Propulsion Curriculum at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, AZ” (AIAA, 2021), “Rocket Development and Testing Capabilities at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott AZ Campus” (AIAA, 2019), “Rocket Test Safety Practices at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Campus” (AIAA, 2020), “Applied Instrumentation Course for Undergraduate Thermal-fluid Sciences” (ASEE, 2020), and earlier works like “Water Vapor Concentration Measurement in High Enthalpy Flows Using Infrared Absorption” (AIAA, 2003). Dr. Bryner has been honored with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship (2002-2005), Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus Distinguished Faculty Award (2021), and Embry-Riddle Prescott College of Engineering Overall Faculty of the Year (2021). He also holds the role of Associate Director for the ERAU/NASA Space Grant Program, serves on its Steering Committee, and maintains memberships as a Senior Member of AIAA and Member of ASME.