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Paul Slaboch

Paul Slaboch headshot

Professor and Chair, Mechanical, Aerospace, & Acoustical Engineering; Director, Aerospace Engineering Program

Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture
860.768.4869 UT 302-I
Education

PhD, Aerospace Engineering, University of Notre Dame

MS, Aerospace Engineering, University of Notre Dame

BS, Aerospace Engineering, University of Notre Dame

Paul Slaboch is a Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), and founding director of Connecticut's only ABET-accredited Aerospace Engineering program. His teaching and research focus on experimental aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, engineering education, and the integration of hands-on learning throughout the engineering curriculum.

His research spans experimental studies of highly swept delta wings, turbomachinery and aerospace industry collaborations, and affordable multidisciplinary spaceflight projects, including high-altitude ballooning and payload development. He is particularly interested in creating meaningful undergraduate research opportunities that allow students to contribute to real engineering challenges while developing the technical and professional skills needed for successful careers.

As part of his research and teaching, Prof. Slaboch has secured funding from federal agencies, state organizations, and industry partners to support student-centered research and laboratory development. He has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications in aerospace and mechanical engineering, and engineering education, is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and has been interviewed by local and national media on topics related to aerospace engineering and higher education. He also serves on the AIAA Committee on Higher Education, helping shape aerospace engineering education nationwide.

Higher Education Positions

  • Professor of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Acoustical Engineering | University of Hartford, 2026-present
  • Chair, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering Department | University of Hartford, 2022-present
  • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering | University of Hartford, 2021-2026
  • Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering | University of Hartford, 2016-2021
  • Director, Master of Mechanical Engineering Program | St. Martin’s University, Lacey, WA, 2014-2016
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering | St. Martin’s University, Lacey, WA, 2012-2016
  • Visiting Assistant Professor | Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China, Summer 2013

Professional and Research Positions

  • NASA Glenn Faculty Fellow, Propulsion Division, Acoustics Branch | NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, Summer 2015 & 2017
  • Aerospace Engineer | USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Cambridge, MA, 2009-2016

Professional Memberships and License

  • Licensed Professional Engineer, CT license #PEN.0036369, WA license #52283,
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
  • American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

 

  • “National Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) Travel of Team to Albuquerque, NM for the Annular Eclipse 2023,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, CT Space Grant Consortium, Aug-Nov 2023, $51,046.83.
  • “Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) Helium and Supplies for Annular Eclipse 2023,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, CT Space Grant Consortium, July-Nov 2023, $10,570.57.
  • “Supersonic Inlet Noise Radiation Study,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, University Space Research Associates (USRA), subcontract to NASA Glenn Research Center, summer 2019, $45,331.
  • “Characterization of Acoustic Absorption of Hollow Cylinders,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, CT Space Grant Consortium, Faculty Research Grant, Jan-May 2019, $20,000.
  • “Acoustic Radiation of Supersonic Engine Inlet”, Coffin Grant, University of Hartford, 2019, $3,005.
  • “Supersonic Inlet Noise Radiation Study,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, University Space Research Associates (USRA), subcontract to NASA Glenn Research Center, summer 2018, $36,205.
  • “Group-based technical writing skills development,” PI: P.E. Slaboch, Co-PI: K.A. Wright, and P. Faraci, Transform the Undergraduate Experience through High Impact Practices, University of Hartford, 2018, $6,000.
  • “Development of Flow Visualization System,” CETA Student/Faculty Engagement Grant, $3000.
  • “Effect of Aft Rotor on Forward Blade Wake in Counter Rotating Open Rotors,” NASA CT Space Grant Consortium, May-Dec 2017, $20,000.
  • “Acoustic propagation in supersonic engine inlets,” NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship, Summer 2017, $15,500.
  • “Development of Cylinder in a Cross Flow Lab,” CETA Faculty/Student Engagement Grant, Spring 2017, $3,000

Selected Peer Reviewed Journal Publications: 

(undergraduate student authors indicated by *) 

  1. Covitt, B. A., Des Jardins, A., Agrimson, E., Ash, J., Bailey, S., Barber, K., Bastidas, M., Bering, E., Bernards, M., Choi, A., Conklin, N., Do, J., Etten-Bohm, M., Finney, W., Flaten, J., Freedman, J., Humphrey, R., Kelsey, E., Kim, H., Lee, C., Lee, W., Marquis, J., Minder, J., Pallis, J., Pawlowski, D., Qiu, C., Rivers, J., Ruszkowski, J., Schmidt, J., Sharp, T., Slaboch, P.E., Smith, S., Snowden, D., Sperling, A., (2026), “Insights From and Future Directions for a Nationwide Science and Engineering Education Collaboration in Stratospheric Ballooning,” Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences - Stellar and Solar Physics, Vol 12, pp 1-16. DOI:10.3389/fspas.2025.1659329 
  2. King, E.O., Slaboch, P.E., (2023), “International Approaches To Aircraft Noise Abatement Strategies,” Noise Control Engineering Journal, 71(1), pp 34-41.       DOI: 10.3397/1/37714 
  3. Wright, K.A., Slaboch, P.E., and Jamshidi, R., (2022) “Technical Writing Improvements through Engineering Lab Courses,” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 50(1), pp 120-134.  Published online July 19, 2020. DOI: 10.1177/0306419020939621 
  4. Slaboch, P.E., Kaye, S.*, and Casavant, E.*, (2021) “Low Frequency Acoustic Absorption of 3D Printed Cylinders,” Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, 143(1): 011001. Published online July 22, 2020. DOI: 10.1115/1.4047706 
  5. Slaboch, P.E., Stephens, D.B., Van Zante, D.E., and Wernet, M., (2017) “Effects of Aft Rotor on Inter-rotor Flow of Open Rotor Propulsion System,” Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 139(4): 041202. DOI: 10.1115/1.4034356 
  6. Ma, R., Slaboch, P. E., and Morris, S. C., (2009), “Fluid mechanics of a flow-excited Helmholtz resonator,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 623, pp 1-26. DOI:  10.1017/S0022112008003911  

Selected Conference Proceedings:

(undergraduate student authors indicated by *, graduate student authors indicated by ^) 
  1. Wang, S., Slaboch, P.E., Moon, S.H., Shen, X., Danesh, M., and Gordils, J., “Implementation of Equity-Focused Teaching and Transparent Assignment Design Across Diverse Engineering and Architecture Disciplines,” ASEE Paper 53997, 2026 ASEE Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC, June 21-24, 2026. 
  2. Metha, I., Singh Shergill, J., Slaboch, P.E., “Aerodynamic Effects of Thickness on 75° Delta Wings,” AIAA Paper 2026-0679, AIAASciTech Forum 2026, Jan 11-15, 2026, Orlando, FL. DOI: 10.2514/6.2026-0679 
  3. Slaboch, P.E., “From Turbomachinery to Takeoff: The Evolution of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Hartford,” AIAA Paper 2026-0926, AIAA SciTech Forum 2026, Jan 11-15, 2026, Orland, FL. DOI: 10.2514/6.2026-0926 
  4. Camarillo, J.*, Freedman, S.*, Piscitelli, C.*, Rittenberg, A.*, Krebsbach, A.*, Lauzier, D.*, Ho, J.*, Akyigit, I.*, Hill, S.*, Ayala, A.*, Nunes, E.*, Esteves, A.*, Ngethe, D.*, Fleischmann-Mcgarrah, V.*, Hornberger, A., Obst, E. & Slaboch, P.E., (2024) “Solar Eclipse Impact on Atmosphere with High-Altitude Ballooning”, Academic High Altitude Conference, 2024(2) DOI: 10.31274/ahac.17958 
  5. Sugar, M.^, and Slaboch, P.E., “Variation of Sound Directivity From Supersonic Nacelle,” ASME IMECE-2022-96515, ASME IMECE 2022, Columbus, OH, Oct 31-Nov 3, 2022. DOI: 10.1115/IMECE2022-96515 
  6. Sugar, M.^, and Slaboch, P.E., “Directivity of sound propagation from a commercial supersonic engine inlet,” Proceedings of Inter-Noise 2021, Aug 2021, pp. 4211-4218(8). DOI: 10.3397/IN-2021-2633 
  7. Jamshidi, R., Wright, K.A., and Slaboch, P.E., “Enhancement of Students’ Technical Writing through a Combination of Classroom Activities,” 127th ASEE Conference and Exposition, Virtual Conference, June 22-26, 2020. Paper # 25898. https://peer.asee.org/34567 
  8. Stylanides, A.*, Johnson, R.*, and Slaboch, P.E., “Effects of Mean Flow on Supersonic Inlet Noise Radiation”, AIAA-2020-2584, AIAA AVIATION Forum, Virtual Event, June 16-20, 2020. DOI: 10.2514/6.2020-2584 
  9. Kaye, S.*, Casavant, E.*, and Slaboch, P.E., “Low Frequency Absorption of Additively Manufactured and Natural Cylinders,” ASME IMECE-2019-11338, ASME IMECE 2019, Salt Lake City, UT, Nov 11-15, 2019. DOI: 10.1115/IMECE2019-11338 
  10. Wright, K.A., and Slaboch, P.E., “Enhancement of a Thermo-Fluid Laboratory Course: Focus on Technical Writing,” 126th ASEE Conference and Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 16, 2019. https://peer.asee.org/32165 
  11. Brown, J.*, and Slaboch, P.E., “Acoustic Radiation of Supersonic Inlet with Auxiliary Door and Mean Flow,” AIAA Paper 2019-2518, 25th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, Delft, Netherlands, 18 May 2019. DOI: 10.2514/6.2019-2518 
  12. Stephens, D.B., Miller, C.J., Slaboch, P.E., Brown, J.*, and Celestina, J.M., “Supersonic Engine Inlet Tone Noise Radiation,” AIAA Paper 2019-2493, 25th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, Delft, Netherlands, 18 May 2019. DOI: 10.2514/6.2019-2493