MIAMI, FL, September 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Gecheng Zha, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Marked by significant contributions to both academia and industry, Dr. Zha has led a remarkable career in aerospace engineering and mechanical innovation. Since 2016, he has served as president of Coflow Jet, LLC, a startup business formed to commercialize his groundbreaking Coflow Jet technology. Designed to enhance aircraft efficiency and overall performance, the technology also holds promise for applications in maritime wind propulsion and clean energy for wind turbines. In 2024, NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) program awarded a grant to Dr. Zha to develop a fixed wing electric vertical takeoff/landing aircraft concept for potential scientific exploration on Mars: Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE), which is based on the unique and extraordinary performance of the CoFlow Jet technology.

Dr. Zha's invention, which stands as his proudest achievement to date, originated from research conducted at the University of Miami. Also a full professor at the university since 2013, he has taught courses on a variety of subjects including aerospace engineering, aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics and code development, turbomachinery aerothermodynamics, aircraft design, flight dynamics, etc. He served as an associate professor from 2001 to 2013 and was the director of Miami Wind, overseeing initiatives related to wind energy research from 2007 to 2009. Over more than two decades at the university, he has positively impacted the lives of countless students and contributed to the advancement of engineering education and research.

Before joining the University of Miami faculty, Dr. Zha gained valuable industry experience as a senior engineer at Pratt & Whitney from 2000 to 2001. In this capacity, he contributed to advanced propulsion systems and furthered his expertise in aerodynamics and mechanical design for aircraft engine compressors.

From 1998 to 2000, Dr. Zha was the lead engineer at General Electric Aviation (now GE Aerospace), where his responsibilities included leading teams on projects focused on aviation technology development. Between 1997 and 1999, he was a visiting scientist at a research laboratory with the United States Air Force, engaging in collaborative research on cutting-edge aerospace technologies and software development. His early postdoctoral work took place at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where his research efforts laid the foundation for future innovations in fluid dynamics and mechanical engineering.

In addition to his work on Coflow Jet technology, Dr. Zha has successfully secured several patents related to CoFlow Jet flow control. Constantly seeking to enhance aerospace efficiency and safety, he has been honored by several prestigious organizations for professional excellence, innovation and leadership in the field. He is recognized as an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as a fellow of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Institute for Advanced Concepts (now NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts).

Much of Dr. Zha's success and passion for innovation stems from his international academic background. In 1994, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering from École Polytechnique at Université de Montréal in Montréal, Canada. Dedicated to the ideals of continuous learning, he also completed a Master of Science in 1986 and a Bachelor of Science in 1983, both in his birth country of China. Along with his education, he attributes much of his success to passion and persistence — qualities that have driven both his scholarly pursuits and successful inventions in the aerospace sector.

In his personal life, Dr. Zha enjoys road cycling as a balance to his professional responsibilities. Looking ahead with continued determination, he aims to ensure Coflow Jet technology is adopted across multiple industries including aerospace, marine shipping and wind energy. His past achievements and future goals alike reflecting his unwavering devotion to advancing sustainable solutions and nurturing future generations of engineers, scientists and innovators.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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