Aerospace News

Joe Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, receives a commemorative plaque as part of his induction as an AIAA Fellow on May 14 in Washington D.C.

Aerospace engineering professor named AIAA Fellow
11/22/24 8:30 AM

Joseph C. (“Joe”) Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, was named an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.

Auburn Engineering has now increased its annual new research awards and contracts by more than 300% since 2018, when the college brought in $29 million.

Auburn Engineering secures record $117.7 million in FY24 research funding
11/11/24 7:00 AM

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has set a college record for new research awards and contracts for a fiscal year, closing FY24 with $117.7 million.
JD McFarlan, ’84, mechanical engineering (left) and Mark Miller, ’84 and ’85 aerospace engineering (right).

Auburn alumni shine at AIAA Gala
11/6/24 9:00 AM

Two alumni from Auburn Engineering were recognized earlier this year by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Ben Bauldree

#GINNing Podcast: Boom
10/18/24 12:00 PM

Word to your moms — Ben Bauldree came to drop bombs. Check out an explosive interview with the Auburn aerospace engineering alumnus and pickle pro on the latest episode of the best podcast in higher education.

Auburn Makersfest 2024 is offering $2,000 in prize money to any Auburn student who has developed a product, written a song, or composed a poem – anything that was created – during a competition meant to stimulate creative thinking.

Auburn Makersfest submissions due Oct. 18
10/8/24 3:00 PM

Auburn Makersfest 2024 is offering $2,000 in prize money to any Auburn student who has developed a product, written a song, or composed a poem – anything that was created – during a competition meant to stimulate creative thinking.
Justin Littlefield, a senior in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded the 2024 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award.  

Senior aerospace engineering student awarded the Astronaut Scholarship
9/25/24 2:30 PM

Justin Littlefield, a senior in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded the 2024 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award.  

Auburn Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host Aerospace Industry Day on Oct. 1 and Biotechnology Industry Day on Oct. 16. Both will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.

CDCR to host Aerospace and Biotechnology Industry Days in October
9/25/24 10:00 AM

Auburn Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host Aerospace Industry Day on Oct. 1 and Biotechnology Industry Day on Oct. 16. Both will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.

Auburn Engineering’s undergraduate program also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No. 1 in the state.

Auburn Engineering undergraduate programs ranked No. 30 nationally
9/24/24 7:20 AM

Auburn Engineering’s undergraduate program also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No. 1 in the state.

The 2024 Auburn Alumni Engineering Council award winners included Distinguished Auburn Engineers Maury Gaston, ’82 mechanical engineering; Chris Kramer, ’94 civil engineering; Shirley Boulware, ’91 chemical engineering; Art Slotkin, ’68 aerospace engineering; Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer Jordan Watkins, ’12 civil engineering; and Superior Service Sushil Bhavnani, professor emeritus.

Auburn Alumni Engineering Council honors 6 with college’s highest awards
9/17/24 12:00 AM

Five outstanding engineering alumni and one longtime faculty member of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering were honored by the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 13, for their distinguished professional careers. These alumni include four who were recognized as Distinguished Auburn Engineers, one as an Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer and a mechanical engineering professor emeritus for Superior Service. The council also honored alumnus Charles Gavin, ’59 textile engineering, who will receive an honorary doctorate of science at the December commencement ceremonies.
Phoebe Judkins, a student in civil and environmental engineering, talks with employers during a career fair hosted by the College of Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations office in October 2023.

CDCR to host engineering career fair in September
9/16/24 10:00 AM

The Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host an annual engineering career fair Sept. 23 and 26 in Brown-Kopel Grand Hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Daniel Little, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering, (middle) was named Graduate Student of the Year by AIAA Greater Huntsville Section. He stands next to Joe Majdalani (left), the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in aerospace engineering at Auburn and Andrew Keys (right), Section vice chair.

Auburn Engineering students awarded at AIAA Greater Huntsville Section
9/5/24 9:00 AM

A pair of Auburn Engineering students were recently honored by the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section for their academic achievements in aerospace engineering.
From left: Sathya Aakur, Brendon Allen, Davide Guzzetti and Tin Nguyen.

Four engineering faculty members named Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellows
9/3/24 9:00 AM

The Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellowship recognizes and rewards junior faculty who receive prestigious young investigator awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER, Department of Defense, Department of Energy or National Institute of Health Young Investigator awards.
Dean Hendrix assumes the position of associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment effective Aug. 1.

Hendrix named associate dean for undergrad studies and program assessment
7/17/24 12:40 PM

Dean Hendrix has been named associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment for Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, according to an announcement by Mario Eden, dean of engineering.
Matthew Hooks, a master's student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering poses for a photo outside of Shelby Hall on Auburn's campus.

Aerospace engineering student earns Department of Defense fellowship
7/11/24 12:00 PM

Matthew Hooks, a master's student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, was recently awarded a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship sponsored by the Department of Defense (DOD).
Emma Signor, an aerospace engineering graduate, holds the Mark Spencer Creative Mentorship Award earned at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering annual spring awards ceremony in April 2024. Signor plans to return to Auburn in the fall of 2024 to obtain a master's degree in aerospace engineering.

Aerospace Engineering graduate earns multiple top honors
6/21/24 10:00 AM

In 2020, Emma Signor was making one of the most important decisions of her young life about where to attend college. She knew little about Auburn University besides the men's basketball team's thrilling trip to the Final Four the previous year and its renowned aerospace engineering department, known for its cutting-edge research and distinguished faculty.
Outgoing president of Auburn University’s Design, Build, Fly team, Meagan Blosser, puts the final touches on her team’s plane before flying its first mission at the AIAA Design, Build, Fly competition in Wichita, Kansas in April.

#GINNing Podcast: DBF's BFF
6/21/24 8:00 AM

Meagan Blosser, outgoing president of Auburn University's Top-20 Design, Build, Fly team, doesn't care how you pronounce her name, because this new Auburn aerospace engineering alumna definitely knows how to... go with the flow.
Auburn Engineering’s graduate programs continued its upward trajectory in the annual rankings among public institutions, climbing 10 spots in the past five years.

Auburn Engineering graduate programs No. 31 among public institutions
6/18/24 7:40 AM

Auburn Engineering’s graduate programs were ranked No. 5 overall in the Southeastern Conference and, again, No. 1 in the state.
photo of Shelby Center on Auburn's campus

Eight innovative projects receive 2024 internal awards
6/11/24 11:00 AM

External NewsEight innovative projects have been named recipients of Auburn University’s internal research and creative works funding awards programs for 2024.

man types on an advanced manufacturing machine

Auburn expands support for advanced manufacturing
6/11/24 9:00 AM

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will create an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory to specifically foster workforce development, interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-relevant research and innovation aimed broadly at advanced manufacturing.
Nek Sharan, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, seeks to understand how 3D geometries vibrate when exposed to fluid flows.

Aerospace engineering assistant professor to study flow-induced vibration
5/30/24 8:30 AM

Nek Sharan, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, seeks to understand how 3D geometries vibrate when exposed to fluid flows.

David, who joined the Auburn faculty in 2012, has served as an assistant professor, associate professor and was recently promoted to the rank of full professor.

David named associate dean for research
5/29/24 7:45 AM

Allan David has been named associate dean for research for Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, according to an announcement by Dean Mario Eden.
Pictured is the Auburn University Design, Build, Fly team that achieved a top-20 finish at the AIAA Design, Build, Fly competition in Wichita, Kansas, in April.

Auburn DBF team has top-20 finish in AIAA Design Build Fly Competition
5/14/24 8:15 AM

Auburn University’s Design, Build, Fly (DBF) program's goal was to compete in Wichita, Kansas. They succeeded — not only competing — but earning a top-20 international finish and being the top school in the Southeastern Conference. 

Ava Grelli

#GINNing Podcast: The Great Grelli
5/10/24 7:45 AM

With yet another internship locked up at Lockheed Martin, Jersey born aerospace aficionado Ava Grelli is going places — and Boeing places. So, buckle up and get your ears on because this rocket retriever overachiever is racing toward space at a breakneck pace. 
Nek Sharan (left) and Vrishank Raghav (right), both aerospace engineering faculty, pose for a photo outside on Auburn University’s campus.

Aerospace engineering faculty earn DOD project to study rotor performance
5/6/24 10:00 AM

Nek Sharan, an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and Vrishank Raghav, an associate professor of aerospace engineering are one of the 27 collaborative academic teams awarded research projects through the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) program.
Pictured is the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology on Auburn's campus.

Graduate School honors 28 students from Auburn Engineering
4/30/24 9:45 AM

More than 20 engineering graduate students were recognized at the annual Auburn University Graduate School awards ceremony, Friday, April 26, in the Melton Student Center Ballroom.

More than 220 sixth- through 12th-graders answered these questions – and more — via poster presentations on April 13, and competed for nearly $15,000 in prizes, at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair at Auburn University.

Auburn Engineering among co-sponsors at STEM state fair
4/29/24 12:00 PM

More than 220 sixth- through 12th-graders answered these questions – and more — via poster presentations on April 13, and competed for nearly $15,000 in prizes, at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair at Auburn University.

The Auburn Alumni Engineering Council was established in 1965 and is a group of Auburn Engineering alumni who work together to support the vision and goals of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.

Auburn Alumni Engineering Council inducts Class of 2029
4/23/24 7:45 AM

The Auburn Alumni Engineering Council inducted seven new members during its annual spring meeting April 19 in the Brown-Kopel Center.
The Space Force flag was recently raised over the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus. Space Development Agency, a unit of Space Force, recently partnered with Auburn University.

Space Development Agency partners with AU Research and Innovation Campus
4/11/24 10:22 AM

Auburn University is making space for the Space Development Agency (SDA). Located just outside Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, the new Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus (AURIC) is set to become a base of technical support operations for the SDA, the sole arm of the United States Space Force operating in the state of Alabama.
Auburn University Provost Vini Nathan recently announced the names of faculty awarded promotion, tenure or both for 2024, including 19 faculty in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.

Auburn Engineering faculty named to 2024 promotion, tenure list
4/8/24 1:00 PM

Auburn University Provost Vini Nathan recently announced the names of faculty awarded promotion, tenure or both for 2024, including 19 faculty in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
Davide Guzzetti, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, poses for a photo on Auburn University’s campus.

Aerospace engineering assistant professor earns NASA Early Career Award
4/3/24 1:30 PM

Davide Guzzetti, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has earned a NASA Early Career Faculty award to research how to remediate the accumulation of smaller pieces of orbital debris that are hard to track due to their size.

Vinamra Agrawal, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, shows his research that helped earn him a NSF CAREER award to study stable nanocrystalline alloys and their performance in harsh environments.

Aerospace Engineering assistant professor earns NSF CAREER award
4/3/24 8:00 AM

Vinamra Agrawal, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, is studying stable nanocrystalline alloys and their performance in harsh environments — typical of space missions — to determine whether they are viable candidates for materials for structural components.

Joseph Pelfrey, director the NASA Marshall Flight Center, was keynote speaker at the Graduate Engineering Research Showcase in Huntsville on March 26.

Graduate research showcase highlights innovations in space exploration
3/28/24 8:55 AM

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering held its annual Graduate Engineering Research Showcase on Tuesday, March 26, at the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville. This year’s showcase theme was “Pursuing the Space Frontier.”

Members of the Auburn University Rocketry Association (AURA) pose for a photo with Alie Ana, Mila and Alexandra Reese, who are six-year-old identical triplets and a Miracle Family The Alabama Children's Hospital Foundation. Jackson Miller (left) is the testing lead for AURA, Suzie Feist (middle) is the outreach lead for AURA and Will Shipman (right) is the AURA president.

Auburn rocketry team visits Children's of Alabama
3/14/24 9:00 AM

Members of the Auburn University Rocketry Association (AURA) visited Children's of Alabama in Birmingham with subscale rockets, model rockets and golf balls for kids to paint.

Cyrus Lloyd

#GINNing Podcast: Makerspace Maestro
2/9/24 11:00 AM

Parabolic telescopes... diamond-turning lathes...  few folks have taken advantage of Auburn Engineering's state-of-the-art Design and Innovation Center like aerospace engineering senior Cyrus Lloyd.
Auburn University alumnus Joseph Pelfrey has been named the director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

Aerospace alumnus named director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
2/5/24 12:30 PM

Auburn University alumnus Joseph Pelfrey has been named the director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Pelfrey, who earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 2000, will manage one of NASA's largest field installations in this role.

Kanak Parmar

#GINNing Podcast: Freeing Up Space
2/2/24 12:00 PM

Look, someone has to lessen the load on NASA's Deep Space Network. And Kanak Parmar is just the aerospace engineering doctoral student to do it.
Joseph Majdalani receives the Wyld Propulsion medal and a citation certificate from Rusty Powell, AIAA Director for Propulsion and Energy, at the SciTech Forum on Jan. 10, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Majdalani receives international Wyld Propulsion Award
1/31/24 1:00 PM

Joseph Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, has received the 2024 Wyld Propulsion Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Aerospace associate professor Vrishank Raghav (left) stands with aerospace postdoctoral researcher Arun Nair (center) and doctoral student Abbishek Gururaj (right) to study the R3DV facility, used to measure the rotor blades of flight vehicles — such as helicopters, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOLs) aircraft — when hovering.

Aerospace associate professor awarded DOD grant for instrumentation
1/30/24 12:00 PM

Vrishank Raghav, associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, is among 281 researchers nationwide awarded a Department of Defense grant under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP).
Front row, Left to right: Mike Patterson, Joe Majdalani, Imon Chakraborty, David Sharp, Roy Hartfield and Alan Lowrey. Second row: Lisa Mitchell, Todd May, Andrew Keys (AIAA GHS Vice-Chair) and Jeff Haars.

Aerospace engineering faculty honored by AIAA Greater Huntsville Section
1/23/24 1:00 PM

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering was well-represented at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Greater Huntsville Section Associate Fellow Recognition Dinner on Dec. 18. One Auburn engineering alumnus was inducted into the 2024 class of Associate Fellows, and one faculty member was recognized for making the 2023 class. Additionally, two faculty members were acknowledged at the dinner for their national recognitions earlier in the year.

Maggie Nelson is Auburn University's first Churchill Scholarship recipient.

Aerospace engineering student wins prestigious Churchill Scholarship
1/22/24 1:30 PM

Nelson, a senior from Birmingham in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, is headed to Churchill College at the University of Cambridge this fall to work toward her MPhil in materials science and metallurgy.

Entrants must record a video presentation using animation, simulation, diagrams, pictures, or even demonstrations explaining an overview of their respective study, but at a level where general audiences can understand. Each video must not exceed 60 seconds.

Registration under way for AUSome Science in 60 Seconds
1/19/24 2:30 PM

Last spring’s AUsome Science in 60 Seconds research pitch competition was so successful, Auburn Engineering is hosting it again.
The single largest prime research contract ever awarded to Auburn University is designed to help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts.

Auburn secures $50M Army research grant — the largest in AU history
1/10/24 12:00 PM

How much is Auburn University's advanced manufacturing expertise worth to the U.S. Army? Up to $50 million.
Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts, Walt and Virginia Woltosz, College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard and ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff.

Aerospace engineering alumnus among those honored at International Quality of Life Awards
12/5/23 10:00 AM

Ginger and Walt Woltosz recognized in College of Human Sciences annual event in New York City.
Kanak Parmar, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering, won the Molly K. Macauley Award for the science/engineering category from the American Astronautical Society.

Aerospace doctoral student wins Molly K. Macauley Award
11/30/23 3:00 PM

Parmar, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering in Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, shared her vision during a presentation at the American Astronautical Society (AAS) von Braun Space Exploration Symposium in Huntsville on Oct. 27 after receiving the Molly K. Macauley Award for the science/engineering category.
Joe Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering delivers the von Kármán plenary at ASCEND on Oct. 23, at the Ceasars Forum in Las Vegas.

Majdalani delivers 2023 von Kármán Lecture
11/30/23 1:30 PM

Joe Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, recently delivered the 2023 von Kármán Lecture in Astronautics, a prestigious lectureship hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

two men talking, rocket with blue origin written on it, American flag

Auburn alum at Blue Origin working to launch one of world’s tallest rockets
10/25/23 7:00 AM

Monk is a director on the New Glenn mission management team at Blue Origin, the aerospace manufacturer founded by Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos. He graduated from Auburn with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2005 and earned a master’s at the University of Colorado a year later. He immediately joined NASA’s Constellation program, working to develop the rockets and spacecraft needed to replace the retiring fleet of space shuttles. When the program was canceled in 2011, Monk had mixed feelings.
Ryan Pollard won first place for oral presentation, honorable mention for poster presentation and Best in Show overall.

Student in mechanical engineering wins Best in Show at research showcase
10/16/23 9:40 AM

Ryan Pollard, a first-year graduate student, earned 'Best in Show' honors for his oral and poster presentation, "A Kinematics-Based Approach to Future Joint Angle Prediction."
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering's newly launched pilot program aims to help students take their engineering career to the Next Level.

Next Level program aims to develop career skills in students
9/28/23 10:00 AM

The College of Engineering's newly launched pilot program, titled Next Level, aims to enhance career preparedness and to improve first destination satisfaction by focusing on formative career development in the classroom.

Emmanuel Winful, right, is the college's health and safety manager.

Auburn Engineering named Green Cross Award semifinalist
9/25/23 8:20 AM

College recognized for advocating transformational research that doesn't push the boundaries of safety.
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