Tanisha Booker is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. She received her B.S.degree in Secondary Education (Mathematics) from the University of Alabama in 1994. Before returning to UA to pursue her doctoral degree, Tanisha taught mathematics, physics, and computer science in Conecuh County and Escambia County School System. She also served on the Evergreen City Council in Evergreen, Alabama from 1996 to 2008. She currently operates Zack’s Barbecue and Grille in Evergreen, AL. Tanisha’s research activities involve developing a Rapid Compression Expansion Machine that simulates a real engine and applying a technique termed Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry to quantify hydrogen during pre-combustion using density gradients and determine temperature during post-combustion. This is her second year being a recipient of GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need), a fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education. She has also been a recipient of an Alumni Fellowship and Charles Ballard McInnis Scholarship.
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