Ali R. Kolaini, Ph.D.

Ali R. Kolaini, Ph.D., is a senior aerospace engineering leader with extensive expertise in dynamics environments, acoustics, vibrations, shock, fluid dynamics, and spacecraft testing. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. He has served as Group Supervisor and Principal Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he has led and supported major flight projects including AMT, AMD, EMOS/VCAM, SMAP, Europa Clipper, and MSL. His technical work includes acoustic qualification, shock prediction and mitigation, force-limited vibration testing, structural anomaly investigations, and development of advanced testing methods for spacecraft systems and subsystems.

Dr. Kolaini has also contributed significantly to NASA-wide engineering standards, technology development, and technical review efforts. He authored and revised NASA handbooks and standards, served on national and agency review teams, and represented JPL on NASA Safety Engineering Center technical teams. Earlier in his career, he held senior research and engineering roles at The Aerospace Corporation, UC Santa Barbara, the National Center for Physical Acoustics, and Panta Rei, Inc. He has taught engineering courses, mentored students and early-career engineers, led funded research projects, and remained active in professional organizations including ASME, the Acoustical Society of America, and AGU.