Dr Usman Ali is a Teaching Fellow in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Salford, where he contributes to teaching, research, and curriculum development. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), reflecting his dedication to excellence in teaching and learning within the higher education sector.
Dr Ali's research interests are centred on computational modelling and simulation, with a particular focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applied to practical engineering problems. His work encompasses areas such as numerical optimisation, active and passive flow control, experimental aerodynamics, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI). His PhD research at the University of Salford involved developing a novel optimised slot design to enhance the high-lift performance and lateral flow control of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), validating computational results with wind tunnel experiments.
Before his current appointment, Dr Ali was a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bolton. In this capacity, he delivered engaging lectures and supervised student projects across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He led multiple modules, most notably serving as the module leader for Thermofluids, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the academic curriculum. His responsibilities extended to overseeing all aspects of his modules, from initial development to final assessment. Dr Ali also spearheaded curriculum enhancements to ensure alignment with current industry standards and managed key administrative duties, including contributions to accreditation and student recruitment efforts.
In his prior industrial role as a Design and Simulation Engineer at Unilever, Dr Ali led digital transformation projects within the R&D department. He was responsible for defining and driving best practices in digital simulation for packaging design strategy. His work involved supporting packaging teams by interpreting the results of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations and predictive analyses to inform data-driven design decisions.
Research Interests
Computational Modelling and Simulation
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Aeroacoustic and Noise Reduction
Aerodynamic shape optimisation for enhanced aircraft performance and stability
Comparative analysis of traditional vs. toroidal propellers
High-Lift Devices
Active and Passive Flow Control methods
Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Experimental Aerodynamics
Integrating computational modelling with experimental validation
Teaching and Learning
Aircraft Structures (Module Leader).
Aircraft Design.
Final year and MSc Project supervision.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data
