Damiano Baccarella, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been elected to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow – Class of 2026.
AIAA associate fellows are “individuals of distinction who have made notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.”
Baccarella was cited for pioneering hypersonic ground testing, advancing scramjet and arcjet research, and his dedicated service on the AIAA Ground Testing Technical Committee, strengthening national aerospace testing capabilities.
“I am honored to be recognized as an AIAA Associate Fellow and grateful to all mentors, colleagues, and students who made this achievement possible,” Baccarella said.
To be selected as an associate fellow, an individual must be an AIAA senior member in good standing, with at least 12 years of professional experience, and be recommended by three AIAA members. Only one of every 150 AIAA voting members is selected and approved as an associate fellow each year, and approximately 17% of the AIAA membership are associate fellows.
Baccarella’s research involves hypersonic aerothermodynamics, atmospheric re-entry, high-speed propulsion systems, high-enthalpy wind tunnels, plasma flow control, plasma assisted combustion, and laser diagnostics.
Baccarella and the 2026 Class will be honored at the AIAA Associate Fellows Induction Ceremony on January 14, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Orlando, Florida, during the 2026 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition.
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey ([email protected])