Dr. Kentaro Hara

Assistant Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Kentaro Hara. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Ken Hara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, where he also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Plasma Science Engineering. He has a B.S. and M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Tokyo. Prior to his current position, Hara was a Visiting Research Physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory as a Postdoctoral Fellow supported by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science. His research interests encompass electric propulsion, low temperature partially ionized plasmas, and plasma physics, including interactions and instabilities within kinetic fluid contexts. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Air Force Young Investigator Program Award and various early career acknowledgments from the Department of Energy and the Office of Naval Research. Hara serves on several editorial and technical committees in the field, contributing to professional organizations dedicated to advancements in plasma science and engineering.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

— Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Teaching and conducting research in aeronautics and astronautics.

Awards

#

Air Force Young Investigator Program Award

#

Department of Energy Early Career Award

#

Young Investigator Program Award

Courses

AA 210A AA 244B AA 296 AA 350 AA 204 AA 190 AA 199 AA 291 AA 290 AA 290S AA 205 AA 362C AA 283

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.