JP first integrated specifically into the UC Davis community back in 2004. After serving as a faculty member at the School of Mines in Colorado, his research interests brought JP back to the University of California. “The University of California has great med schools, great graduate schools… it is a full-fledged university full of potential collaborations.” The broad network enabled him to extend his research. In addition to his position as a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, JP previously served in several departmental roles (Vice-Chair, Graduate Program Advisor), and also served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Engineering, as well as on Graduate Council.

His experience with students from a variety of angles—on top of his personal experience as an international graduate student himself—equips him with the ability to work closely with the diverse UC Davis community. JP is eager to work both individually and collectively with students to tackle the challenges they encounter on their graduate journey. “There are several facets to the job. One of them is to help students and faculty to work out disagreements that arise, to help advise and remedy problems regarding policies,” he says. “Students come here usually because they can’t find a solution within their own program or with their own faculty members.” JP provides guidance for graduate students to the resources offered by UC Davis.

Other facets include professional development. He lists several examples of professional development activities available to students, which are conducted by Graduate Studies.  “Professors for the Future,” JP explains, “is a one-year program for which graduate students and postdocs can apply for a competitive fellowship—which also offers training in the form of workshops and seminars, to prepare them to become faculty members.” More broadly, GradPathways is nationally recognized for its comprehensive professional development programs that help all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars succeed both at UC Davis and in their chosen career paths.  “Other programs focus on the faculty side of things,” he says. “An example is our Mentoring at Critical Transitions program—a seminar series for faculty members on effective mentoring.”

JP is no stranger to the significance of honing teaching skills. Beyond his new position in Graduate Studies, he is Dr. Delplanque—a professor. “It’s 50-50. I’m an Associate Dean, but also a faculty member, so the other half of my time is spent teaching and conducting research.” JP is currently teaching a graduate course on numerical methods. He is also offering an undergraduate senior elective in winter quarter (take note!), on rocket propulsion—a fiery passion of his that has carved out his path in academia. “In France, when I finished my undergraduate program, I wanted to work on rockets,” he says, chuckling. It was this love for rockets that eventually landed JP here in the United States. “One of my mentors told me, ‘You will have to learn combustion,’” JP recalls, “and he suggested doing a master’s in the U.S.”

The same professor had collaborated with NASA Ames, and recommended that JP consider a variety of institutions—all in California. He obliged, open-minded to all the possibilities overseas. Soon enough, JP found himself at UC Irvine—working with one of the foremost experts on liquid rocket propulsion. He received his master’s under the guidance of this expert, and received a fellowship that encouraged him to pursue his Ph.D. “The fellowship required that I go back to Europe to work in industry, which I did” says JP. “Then I realized I missed doing research.”

The heart wants what the heart wants: JP seized an opportunity to come back to Irvine, continued his career in research, and discovered a knack for teaching. He became a lecturer, finding comfort in what he realized to be his own paradise within the University of California. “A research university is a combination of research and teaching,” says JP. One of his current projects, sponsored by NASA, is centered on additive manufacturing, more specifically, 3-D printing with metals. “This type of manufacturing makes parts that are actually going to be used…from stainless steel and other alloys,” says JP.

In his spare time, JP dabbles in roller hockey. He describes it as a peculiar mix, “kind of between ice hockey and floor hockey—hockey on rollerblades in an indoor arena.” Of course, his passion for aerospace still trickles through his veins. Recently, JP has had the pleasure of doing something most would only dream of: flying with the Blue Angels.