International Student Conference

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Winners of the Regional Student Conferences receive industry-wide recognition and compete for cash prizes for: one undergraduate, one team, one graduate, and one community outreach award. The competition is held during the AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition each January.

Previously this award was known as the AIAA National Student Award. A complete list of winners dating back to the award’s establishment in 1948 is available here .

Award Recipients

2025

  • Mr Anthony T Otlowski
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Varun Natarajan
    Awarded
    Award: - Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Mr Nathan WC Eller
    NASA Ames Research Center
    Awarded
    Award: “Performance Characteristics of a Low-Cost Self-Contained Pressure Data Acquisition System”
  • Braden J Anderson
    Yellow Jacket Space Program - Georgia Tech
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Ethan Heyns
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Tristan Terry
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Cadet Olivia L Hilburn
    US Air Force Academy, HQ USAFA/DFANA
    Awarded
    Award: Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Propeller Configuration, Motor Noise, and Sound Reflection on Sound Pressure Level
  • Mr Rithvik Nagarajan
    Yellow Jacket Space Program
    Awarded
    Award: - Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Callum A MacDonald
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket
  • Michael Krause
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Student-Built LOX/Jet-A Sounding Rocket

2024

  • Dr Casey P Fagley
    United States Air Force Academy
    Awarded
    Award: Aerodynamic Evaluation of Longitudinal and Lateral-Directional Stability Coupling on the NASA Orion Crew Module
  • Miss Georgia Warren
    18 Division ADFA
    Awarded
    Award: Development and testing of a stereo photogrammetry system for multi-axis optical tracking of free-flight models
  • Cadet Patrick J Koenig
    US Air Force Academy, HQ USAFA/DFAN
    Awarded
    Award: Aerodynamic Evaluation of Longitudinal and Lateral-Directional Stability Coupling on the NASA Orion Crew Module
  • Joseph V Roy
    Joseph Vaughn Roy
    Awarded
    Award: Aerodynamic Evaluation of Longitudinal and Lateral-Directional Stability Coupling on the NASA Orion Crew Module
  • Lucas J. B. Yantis
    Home
    Awarded
    Award: Aerodynamic Evaluation of Longitudinal and Lateral-Directional Stability Coupling on the NASA Orion Crew Module
  • Ryan J Thibaudeau
    n/a
    Awarded
    Award: Development of a Potassium Permanganate Catalyst-Infused Fuel Grain for Hydrogen Peroxide Hybrid Thruster Ignition Enhancement

2023

  • Mr Francis A Centlivre
    Purdue University
    Awarded
    Award: Optimization of Heat Release Within a Dual-Mode Ramjet Using Ignition Delay Energy Source Terms
  • Cadet Jacob J Szymanski
    USAF Academy DFAN
    Awarded
    Award: Experimental Verification of the USAFA 1-DOF Dynamic Stability Characterization for Aircraft Applications and Complimentary CFD Analysis
  • Cadet Molly E Ellinger
    USAF Academy
    Awarded
    Award: Experimental Verification of the USAFA 1-DOF Dynamic Stability Characterization for Aircraft Applications and Complimentary CFD Analysis
  • Dr Casey P Fagley
    United States Air Force Academy
    Awarded
    Award: Experimental Verification of the USAFA 1-DOF Dynamic Stability Characterization for Aircraft Applications and Complimentary CFD Analysis
  • Caroline Dixon
    N/A
    Awarded
    Award: Design of Large-Scale 3D Printed Components for UAV Cargo Transport
  • Mr Cody M Watson
    University of Colorado Boulder
    Awarded
    Award: Design of Large-Scale 3D Printed Components for UAV Cargo Transport
  • Nathan Kuczun
    University of Colorado
    Awarded
    Award: Design of Large-Scale 3D Printed Components for UAV Cargo Transport

2022

  • Luis A Pabon Madrid
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Mr Rithvik Musuku
    California Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Mr Tanmay Gupta
    Caltech
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Prof Soon-Jo Chung
    California Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Malcolm G. A. Tisdale
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Isabella M Dula
    California Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Mr Brandon C White
    Sandia National Labs
    Awarded
    Award: Preliminary Adaptation of Speech Source Localization Algorithm for Reduced Bandwidth of Interest in Tonadic Infrasound Signals (Masters Category)
  • Ms Leah S Soldner I
    House
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Polina Verkhovodova
    California Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Mr Jules Penot
    California Institute of Technology
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)
  • Ms Meaghan Munro
    Monash University
    Awarded
    Award: Novel Optical Diagnostics for the Study of Shock Separation in Rocket Nozzles (Undergraduate Category)
  • Kaila Coimbra
    N/A
    Awarded
    Award: Design of a Modular and Orientable Electrodynamic Shield for Lunar Dust Mitigation (Team Category)

2021

  • Matthew Groll
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments
  • Kalpana Ganeshan
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments
  • Mr Jeffrey Chen
    Awarded
    Award: Bréguet Range Equation in Constraint Analysis Form for Power-Rated Aircraft for Power-Rated Aircraft
  • Natasha Dada
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments
  • Adrien R Stein
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments
  • Dr Spencer L Stahl
    The Ohio State University
    Awarded
    Award: Effects of Fountain Flow Interaction on Dual Jet Impingement at Mixed Operating Conditions
  • Sophia D Kolak
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments
  • Ms Swati Ravi
    Awarded
    Award: Sharp-edge Handheld Identifier and Remover in Low-gravity Extravehicular Environments

2020

  • Mr Shrivathsav D Seshan
    Awarded
    Award: Implementation and Verification of a Versatile GN&C and Flight Software Architecture for an Active Control Launch System
  • Mr Collin J ONeill
    Ohio State University
    Awarded
    Award: Active Flow Control in a Compact High-Speed Inlet/Diffuser Model
  • Mr Athreya Gundamraj
    Athreya Gundamraj
    Awarded
    Award: Implementation and Verification of a Versatile GN&C and Flight Software Architecture for an Active Control Launch System
  • Dr Christopher S Combs
    The University of Texas at San Antonio
    Awarded
    Award: Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Analysis of Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions
  • Stephanie Cottier
    University of Texas - San Antonio
    Awarded
    Award: Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Analysis of Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions
  • Kunal S Gangolli
    Awarded
    Award: Implementation and Verification of a Versatile GN&C and Flight Software Architecture for an Active Control Launch System
  • Wyatt Hoppa
    Awarded
    Award: Implementation and Verification of a Versatile GN&C and Flight Software Architecture for an Active Control Launch System

2019

  • Steven M Pugia
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Ryan Clay
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Katherine Fowee
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Benjamin J Davis
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • CAPT Anna C Demoret
    United States Air Force
    Awarded
    Award: The Impact of a Notched Leading Edge on Performance and Noise Signature of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Propellers
  • Matthew F Fuehne
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Margaret Linker
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Mr Noah C Franks
    Awarded
    Award: Liquid Water Micropropulsion System for Small Satellites
  • Matthew J Schwartz
    Air Force Research Laboratory
    Awarded
    Award: Characterization of Near-Muzzle Ballistic Flow Fields using High Speed Shadowgraphy

2018

  • Mr David Coleman
    Texas A&M University-College Station
    Awarded
    Award: Understanding Unsteady Aerodynamics of Cycloidal Rotors in Hover at Ultra-low Reynolds Numbers
  • Calvin J Buechler
    Awarded
    Award: Project REPTAR: REcoverable ProTection After Re-entry
  • Miss Rhiannon K. R. Kirby
    Awarded
    Award: Tomographic Background-Oriented Schlieren for Three-Dimensional Density Field Reconstruction in Asymmetric Shock-containing Jets

2017

  • Chris I VanDamme
    Awarded
    Award: student conference
  • Ben Stringer
    Awarded
  • Miss Ashley M Scharfenberg
    Home
    Awarded
    Award: Winner
  • Gabriel A Frank
    Awarded
  • Colton S Hall
    Lockheed Martin Space
    Awarded
  • Scott G Mende
    Awarded
  • Ms Mia Lee
    Awarded
  • Darren D. Combs
    Awarded
  • Mr Trevor Luke
    Awarded
  • Kimberly E Dutour
    Awarded
  • Daniel Nowicki
    Awarded
  • Daniel Johnson
    Awarded

2016

  • Ms Lauren Brunacini
    Lauren Brunacini
    Awarded
    Award: Daedalus Astronautics@ASU: Outreach Program
  • Jan Schneiders
    Awarded
    Award: Beyond Nyquist by Pouring Space into Time
  • 2Lt Robert S Larson
    Awarded
    Award: Aerodynamic Evaluation of the NASA Microgravity Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • Daniel R Stralka
    Awarded
    Award: Design of an Engine Air Particle Separator for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Applications
  • Mr Erick R Shelley
    Awarded
    Award: Design of an Engine Air Particle Separator for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Applications
  • Mr Jason Wolf
    Air Force Research Laboratory
    Awarded
    Award: Design of an Engine Air Particle Separator for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Applications

2015

  • 2Lt Jonathan Tsosie I
    Awarded
    Award: Colorimetric hydrogel-based microfluidic assay system to monitor malnutrition in a microgravity environment
  • Mr Gabriele Fabbi
    Awarded
    Award: Theroretical and Numerical Approaches for Impact Load Identification on an Aerospace Structure Correlation with Experimental Data
  • Mr Timothy Nysetvold
    Awarded
    Award: L-Dominance: A New Mechanism Combining ε-Dominance and Pareto Knee Exploitation in Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization
  • Robert Swasey
    Awarded
    Award: Engineers on Deck
  • Carlie Shields
    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Awarded
    Award: Engineers on Deck
  • Braden J Hancock
    Awarded
    Award: L-Dominance: A New Mechanism Combining Ɛ-Dominance and Pareto Knee Exploitation in Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization

2014

  • Edward Nickel
    Awarded
    Award: Miners in Space Microgravity Research Outreach
  • Mr Austin Ventura
    Awarded
    Award: Thermophoretic Force Measurements using a nano-Newton Thrust Stand
  • Andrew S Fist
    Awarded
    Award: Improved Mean Flow Solution for Solid Rocket Motors

2013

  • Mr William L Murray III
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Thrust Augmentation of a Solid Rocket Motor by Means of Inert Gas Injection
  • Mr Steven Alexander Leverette
    USC
    Awarded
    Award: student conference
    AIAA Citation: Thrust Augmentation of a Solid Rocket Motor by means of Inert Gas Injection
  • Mrs Sarah W Shark
    Aerojet Rocketdyne
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Thrust Augmentation of a Solid Rocket Motor by Means of Inert Gas
  • Ms Erica G. Hocking
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Fabrication and Characterization of Small-scale Pneumatic Artificial Muscles for a Bio-Inspired Robotic Hand
  • 2Lt Victor Jesus Lopez
    United States Air Force Academy
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Hybrid Rocket Demonstrator and Lesson Plan for STEM Outreach in Grades K-12
  • Braden J Hancock
    Awarded
    Award: Reducing Shock Interactions in a Single Stage High Pressure Turbine via 3D Aerodynamic Shaping

2012

  • Alan Vito Argondizza
    Awarded
    Award: Reduced Weight Hydraulic Actuation for Small Mobile Applications
  • Nathan McKay
    Awarded
  • Mr Jeffery Bryant Walters II
    Awarded
  • Mr James John Paulos
    Treeswift
    Awarded
    Award: Reduced Weight Hydraulic Actuation for Small Mobile Applications
  • Mr Clark J Hoffman
    Awarded
  • Mr Jason Ting
    Awarded
    Award: Modelling and Optimisation of Air Distribution Systems in Commercial Aircraft Cabins using CFD Techniques
  • Christopher Karpurk
    Awarded
    Award: Integrating Low-Cost Rocket Science into Local Schools
  • Mr Gary Cai
    Awarded
    Award: Modelling and Optimisation of Air Distribution Systems in Commercial Aircraft Cabins using CFD Techniques
  • Daniel E Becker
    Awarded
  • Matthew H Summers
    Awarded
    Award: Integrating Low-Cost Rocket Science into Local Schools

2000

  • Mr. Daniel R Gerber
    The University of Alabama
    Awarded
    Award: student conference
  • Giulio Romanelli
    Politecnico Di Milano
    Awarded
    Award: .

1980

  • Kaydon A Stanzione
    Jaunt Air Mobility LLC
    Awarded