
Chair - Sam Parker
Sam is a fifth-year PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2018 before joining the Acoustics Department. His research focuses on the manipulation of sound via acoustic metasurfaces, with particular interests in acoustic holography and system design and optimization. In his infinite free time, Sam enjoys mountain biking and fly fishing and his favorite fish is the Rio Grande cichlid.

Vice Chair - William Willis
Will is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at UT. He joined the Acoustics Department in 2019 after graduating with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and BS in Physics from Duke University. Under the supervision of Dr. Mark Hamilton and Dr. Charles Tinney, William studies shock waves formed from Mach waves, underwater explosions, and other sources. He enjoys traveling to new places and playing Texas Hold’Em with his friends.

Treasurer - Tyler McGee
Tyler started his PhD in 2017. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. He is a cornerstone member of the Austin Student Chapter of the Acoustical Society of America, helping establish the Social Chair position and organizing the first, second, and third Inaugural Acoustical Society of America University of Texas at Austin Student Chapter Tailgate (IASAUTASCT I,II,III). He researches the ultrasonic inspection of lithium-ion batteries. He likes lifting, tattoos, and fishing with Sam.

Secretary - Matthew Casali
Matthew is a second year graduate student at UT. Before joining the Acoustics department in the fall of 2021 he received his B.S. in Applied Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research focuses on the electro-momentum coupling effect in piezoelectric metamaterials. In his free time, Matthew likes to rock climb, play piano and spend way too much time cooking.

Social Chair - Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor, the current Social Chair of the UTASASC, is entering his sixth year as a PhD student with no anticipation of graduating. His research focuses on estimating underwater environmental conditions using a vertical line array of hydrophones. Rob, as Social Chair, is directly involved in the planning of the annual acoustics tailgate (Hook ’em). His favorite color is yellow.