LETTER OF INTENT

Alejandro Javier Delgado Araujo

Dr. Yu-Lin Shen

Director of Graduate Programs

Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of New Mexico

I am writing to inform you about my profound interest in the PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

at University of New Mexico. I have been at UNM since the beginning of January 2015. My status at

UNM has been as a conditional student because I did not get the sufficient score in the TOEFL exam.

Due to this situation I have not been officially accepted yet in any PhD program in the School of

Engineering. However, the current semester I registered in two Chemical Engineering classes;

Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics & Biomaterials Engineering. Moreover, I am taking

two English language classes, and I will take the TOELF exam on May 1st.

In Ecuador I am an university professor and came here through an agreement signed between

Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) & University of New Mexico (UNM) I will be in the United States

for 18 months to attend the required courses and to start my PhD research. The following two years

or maximum three years in my country I will complete my research with the help of my advisor from

UNM.

Because I want to study Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and process equipment design I was

advised by Dr. El-Genk to apply to the Mechanical Engineering Department. I would like to focus my

research in the application of CFD to optimize a flash evaporation chamber of a forced circulation unit.

Also I think that Dr. El-Genk could be by advisor.

As a chemical engineer I have earned a sound experience in designing food processing plants as well

as in mechanical design of process equipment. Moreover, in my country, I earned a master’s degree

in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized Ecuadorian university. I have spent seven years working

as a process and mechanical design engineer. My first experience was in an engineering company in

Brno Czech Republic; APV an SPX brand. Over there I was trained as a process engineer and I was

responsible to design pasteurizers, UHT units and complete dairy processing lines. Returning to my

country, Ecuador I continued in this path and rapidly earned knowledge in mechanical design of

process lines, equipment, and installation. During this period of my life I really enjoyed working in it

and for that reason I decided to get a Master´s degree in Mechanical Engineering as I have before

mentioned. It was there where I learnt about CFD and I realized that it is a powerful tool for optimizing

process equipment. Finally, two years ago I have been working in the Chemical Engineering

Department at UCE, my preferred course that I have been teaching since then has been Plant Design.

Also I have taught Process Control.

I am grateful for having this chance to apply to your Department and being able to earn a PhD in

Mechanical Engineering to be better professional and professor as well.

Yours Sincerely,

Alejandro Delgado

P.S.

Attached you will be find my curriculum vitae & additional information about my level of expertise