Bryan P. Maldonado Puente
ORNL is proud of its role in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. We bring in talented young researchers, team them with accomplished staff members, and put them to work at the lab’s one-of-a-kind facilities. The result is research that makes us proud and prepares them for distinguished careers.
We asked some of these young researchers why they chose a career in science, what they are working on at ORNL, and where they would like to go with their careers.
Bryan P. Maldonado Puente
Postdoc, Buildings and Transportation Science Division
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
Hometown: Quito, Ecuador
What are you working on at ORNL?
My research focuses on the control of unstable combustion behavior arising at high-efficiency regimes in internal combustion engines. Predictive control strategies based on machine learning methods could be the key to unlocking advanced combustion modes and reducing the fuel consumption of light-duty vehicles.
What would you like to do in your career?
I would like to continue contributing to the development of more efficient, sustainable and affordable propulsion technologies that satisfy the increased demand for mobility while reducing the effects on climate change for future generations.
Why did you choose a career in science?
I grew up watching science documentaries with my father. It was a matter of time until I had the opportunity to study the laws of physics and the mathematics that described them, which immediately captivated me. As a scientist, I enjoy learning and contributing to the understanding of our natural world.
