people

Dr. Ryan Coe received a B.S. in Ocean Engineering (2009) and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (2013), both from Virginia Tech. In 2013, Ryan joined Sandia National Laboratories’ Water Power Technologies group, where he served as a research engineer until 2026. Ryan returned to Virginia Tech in 2026 to work as an Associate Professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. Ryan’s research focuses primarily on modeling, testing, control, and design of ocean systems, including wave energy converters (WECs), ocean vehicles, autonomous systems, and platforms. Ryan is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, the Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, and the Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy, and a member of the Editorial Board of Energies. For more information, see Dr. Coe’s CV.

Ian Hermanson is a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech focused on developing small-scale wave energy converters. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University in 2024. Before beginning his graduate studies in 2026, Ian worked at the National Laboratory of the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Ian’s research interests include marine energy device design and testing, coastal community energy projects, and interdisciplinary engineering approaches. For more information, see Ian’s CV.

Jeremy John is a Master’s student at Virginia Tech interested in ship design optimization and dynamics. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2026. Before beginning his graduate studies, Jeremy conducted submarine hydrodynamics research for Newport News Shipbuilding and applied gradient-based optimization to ship design research for Fincantieri Marine Group. At the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, he worked on surface craft maneuvering, morphing-craft fluid dynamics, and environmental effects on ocean vehicle performance. Jeremy also works closely with Ware Lab design team Human Powered Submarine @ VT for hydrodynamic design. Jeremy’s graduate studies are supported by the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship, and upon completion, he will join the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD). To learn more, visit Jeremy’s website and see his CV.

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