Ms. Yu-Chun Tsai | Fluid Mechanics | Best Researcher Award
Master’s Graduate in Mechanical Engineering at National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Yu-Chun Tsai is a dynamic and accomplished Master’s graduate in Mechanical Engineering from National Taiwan University (NTU), with a specialization in fluid dynamics, aerodynamic optimization, and bio-inspired mechanical design. With a solid academic foundation and hands-on experience in simulation, she has demonstrated excellence through her thesis titled “Optimal Design of Bionic Centrifugal Fans Using the Taguchi Method and ANOVA,” which was presented at the prestigious CSME 2024 Conference. Her academic journey is complemented by a flawless GPA of 4.0/4.3, positioning her as a top performer and nominee for the 2025 NTU College of Engineering Dean’s Award. Yu-Chun is not only a researcher but also a leader and community-builder, having co-founded the MechShe Women Alumni Network to empower women in engineering. Her skillset extends beyond the classroom, including collaborative industry projects and mentoring roles in educational camps. Proficient in simulation tools and multilingual communication, she embodies both technical depth and cross-cultural engagement. Her career vision lies at the intersection of sustainable design, high-performance simulation, and female representation in STEM. With a commitment to innovation and mentorship, she stands out as a forward-looking scholar and early-career engineer ready to contribute to both academic and industrial advancements.
Education
Yu-Chun Tsai pursued her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from National Taiwan University (2022–2025), graduating with an outstanding GPA of 4.0/4.3. Her thesis, titled “Optimal Design of Bionic Centrifugal Fans in Use of the Taguchi Method and Analysis of Variance,” exemplifies her proficiency in combining experimental design and simulation tools for performance enhancement in engineering systems. Her research, presented at the CSME 2024 Conference, received wide academic appreciation and led to her nomination for the 2025 NTU College of Engineering Dean’s Award. She previously completed her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (2018–2022) also at NTU, with a GPA of 3.6/4.3. During this period, she undertook a Ministry of Science and Technology-sponsored undergraduate research project on the optimization of two-dimensional wing structures. Her academic journey reflects a strong inclination toward computational design, aerodynamic systems, and innovation in bio-inspired technology. This dual-phase education has not only laid the groundwork for her technical proficiency but also strengthened her leadership in academic dissemination and scientific research. Yu-Chun’s educational background underscores her potential to thrive in both research-driven and industrial applications in the field of thermo-fluid and mechanical system design.
Professional Experience
Yu-Chun Tsai’s professional experience is rooted in academic excellence and collaborative innovation. From 2022 to 2025, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Computational Thermo-Fluid Research Laboratory at NTU. Her contributions involved supporting industry-academic collaborative projects, particularly in enhancing the efficiency of industrial motors. She also handled the management of laboratory documentation and logistics, showcasing her organizational and research skills. In 2023, she took on the role of Teaching Assistant for the undergraduate Fluid Mechanics course, where she helped instruct over 40 students. Her guidance in student projects related to flow simulations and centrifugal fan design reflects her mentorship ability and technical expertise. Beyond formal roles, Yu-Chun engaged in outreach by serving as a camp counselor in the NTU Mechanical Summer and Winter Camps (2019–2020), where she led educational workshops for school students. Furthermore, in 2021, she co-founded MechShe, a pioneering women’s alumni network, fostering mentorship and community among female engineers. These roles demonstrate her commitment to education, community empowerment, and cross-sectoral innovation. Her blend of teaching, research, and leadership experience positions her as a versatile professional in the field of mechanical engineering.
Research Interest
Yu-Chun Tsai’s research interests center on fluid dynamics, bio-inspired mechanical design, and aerodynamic optimization through simulation-based techniques. Her academic and professional trajectory highlights a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the application of the Taguchi Method for experimental design, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for performance validation. She is particularly interested in the intersection of nature-inspired structures and engineering systems, which was evident in her Master’s thesis on the optimal design of bionic centrifugal fans. By utilizing multi-disciplinary approaches that combine mechanical engineering, statistical modeling, and computational simulation, she aims to contribute to the development of high-efficiency and sustainable mechanical devices. Additionally, her experience with realistic wind tunnel modeling and industrial motor simulation projects has broadened her scope into real-world applications of theoretical concepts. Yu-Chun is also enthusiastic about bridging academic research with practical engineering through industry-academic collaborations. Her interests are progressively expanding toward eco-friendly system designs, aerodynamic testing, and the implementation of experimental strategies in product development. With a passion for innovation and cross-disciplinary research, she is committed to advancing the next generation of smart, efficient, and sustainable mechanical solutions.
Research Skills
Yu-Chun Tsai has developed a comprehensive suite of research skills in mechanical and thermal-fluid engineering, particularly through her involvement in academic and industrial projects. She is proficient in using ANSYS, FLUENT & MESH, MATLAB, and Fortran for simulation and design optimization. Her expertise in CFD simulations has been crucial in aerodynamic modeling and the performance evaluation of mechanical systems, such as centrifugal fans and two-dimensional wings. She is highly adept at implementing Design of Experiments (DOE), particularly the Taguchi Method, and conducting statistical analyses using ANOVA for validating experimental outcomes. These capabilities are further enhanced by her hands-on experience in realistic performance testing using AMCA wind tunnel models. Yu-Chun also brings strong analytical skills for interpreting performance curves and optimizing mechanical components based on simulation data. Additionally, her lab management and project coordination experiences reflect her aptitude for research documentation and team collaboration. Her language proficiency in Mandarin (native), English (fluent, TOEIC 945), and conversational Korean adds a valuable multicultural dimension to her research communication. Altogether, her versatile research skills underscore her readiness for interdisciplinary research roles and technologically demanding environments in academia or industry.
Award and Honors
Throughout her academic journey, Yu-Chun Tsai has garnered notable recognition for her achievements in engineering research and education. One of her most distinguished honors is her nomination for the 2025 NTU College of Engineering Dean’s Award, which acknowledges outstanding academic performance and innovation. This nomination was largely influenced by her exemplary Master’s thesis, which was not only academically robust but also relevant to real-world sustainable design challenges. Her work was selected for presentation at the CSME 2024 Conference, further validating the impact and quality of her research on bionic centrifugal fans and simulation-based performance improvement. In addition, her Bachelor’s research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), a prestigious acknowledgment for undergraduate researchers in Taiwan. Her active involvement in outreach activities such as NTU Mechanical Summer & Winter Camps and the establishment of the MechShe Women Alumni Network reflects her commitment to leadership and social contribution, often recognized informally through academic mentorship and peer networks. These accolades, spanning technical excellence, research impact, and leadership, highlight Yu-Chun’s multifaceted contributions and her promising future as a distinguished professional in mechanical engineering.
Publications
Yu-Chun Tsai’s academic publication record, while emerging, reflects a strong foundation in simulation-driven research. Her flagship work, “Optimal Design of Bionic Centrifugal Fans Using the Taguchi Method and ANOVA,” was presented at the CSME 2024 Conference, showcasing her ability to merge statistical analysis with computational modeling for performance optimization. This study involved the use of ANSYS tools, CFD simulations, and experimental design techniques to develop a novel approach to enhancing fan efficiency based on bionic principles. The study has attracted attention within the engineering community for its applicability in sustainable system design. In her undergraduate years, Yu-Chun also completed a Ministry of Science and Technology-supported research project focused on aerodynamic modeling of a two-dimensional wing, which contributed to internal research dissemination at National Taiwan University. As a young researcher, she is currently in the process of expanding her publication portfolio, with plans to submit additional papers to peer-reviewed journals in the fields of thermal-fluid engineering and bio-inspired design. Her contributions exemplify a commitment to high-quality, impactful research and lay the groundwork for future scholarly output in advanced mechanical engineering studies.
Conclusion
Yu-Chun Tsai represents a new generation of mechanical engineers who blend deep technical expertise with leadership, outreach, and cross-disciplinary vision. With a distinguished academic record from National Taiwan University and a specialization in CFD, bio-inspired design, and simulation-based optimization, she brings fresh perspectives to mechanical system innovation. Her dedication to sustainability, research integrity, and community development is evident not only through her scholarly work but also through her proactive leadership in creating support networks for women in engineering. Yu-Chun’s strong skillset in tools such as ANSYS, MATLAB, and DOE methodologies equips her to tackle engineering challenges across industries and research domains. Her fluency in multiple languages and international conference experience indicate her global outlook and communication acumen. She stands poised for advanced doctoral research or to join leading R&D teams in the mechanical, aerospace, or environmental engineering sectors. Whether advancing sustainable technologies or mentoring the next generation of engineers, Yu-Chun exemplifies the qualities of a committed and innovative professional. Her academic journey is not just a personal achievement but a platform for broader societal impact in the engineering domain.