THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2026
FUELING THE FUTURE ADVANCING CRYOGENIC FUEL INNOVATION FOR SAFER, SMARTER LUNAR MISSIONS
NEW IN ENGINEERING Planting the Seed for Smart Farming
NEW IN AVIATION The High-Altitude Lab Takes Your Breath Away — Literally
FLORIDA | ARIZONA | ONLINE
DID YOU KNOW?
If you’re an Embry-Riddle flight student, you’ll train with one of the most advanced university fleets in the world — featuring single-engine Cessna 172 Skyhawks and multi-engine Diamond DA42s, equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and safety systems that prepare you for real-world aviation careers.
At Embry-Riddle, the sky is not the limit — it’s just the beginning. Our graduates emerge as leaders, innovators and problem solvers, ready to shape the future of aviation from day one.
AVIATION
s Aeronautical Science s Aeronautics s Air Traffic Management s Aviation Maintenance Science s Aviation Safety s Pilot Operations s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
FROM THE FIRST FLIGHT TO INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, aviation isn’t just our heritage — it’s our future. Whether your dream is to pilot aircraft, manage complex air traffic systems, maintain advanced fleets or lead aviation businesses, our aviation programs put you at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry with global connections. From the first day of class, you will train in an environment that closely mirrors real-world conditions. On campus, our aviation facilities include modern fleets with Cessna 172 Skyhawks, advanced flight simulators, state-of-the-art air traffic control labs and real-world maintenance facilities — providing an unparalleled, hands-on learning environment rooted in aviation excellence. Building on a legacy as a leader in aviation education, Embry-Riddle combines tradition with innovation. With flexible online programs and industry connections across the globe, students gain unmatched opportunities that launch rewarding careers in every sector of aviation.
WACO 10 ASO N7091 The WACO 10 ASO N7091 plays a
significant role in the origins of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. T. Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle created the Embry-Riddle Company at Lunken Field outside Cincinnati on December 17, 1925, 22 years after the Wright Brothers’ historic first flight. The company’s mission was to promote aviation, captured in its slogan: “If it’s flying, we do it; if it’s airplanes, we have them.” The company quickly became involved in many areas of early aviation, from selling aircraft and offering aerial photography to carrying mail, transporting passengers and providing flight training. The company also served as a distributor for WACO aircraft, operating many of them in its training fleet and for other commercial purposes.
ALTITUDE Spring 2026 VOLUME 05 ISSUE 01 Altitude is a semi-annual publication produced by Enrollment Management and Marketing at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
EDUCATION AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE AT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY, DARING TO THINK BIG AND PUSH BOUNDARIES IS A WAY OF LIFE.
Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management, Marketing and Student Affairs
Jason Ruckert, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief Kristen Weitzel Contributing Editor Leslie Smith Creative Director Jonathon Metz Contributing Writers and Editors Ashley Mueller Mia Powell Makenna Pringle Taylor Reilly Amelia Stutsman
Donna Toboyko Multimedia Joey Harrison Bill Fredette-Huffman
Since 1926, Embry-Riddle has been the leader in aviation and aerospace education. Our degree programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, with several routinely landing in the top 10 and others soaring straight to number one. Embry-Riddle has been at the forefront of groundbreaking aeronautical milestones since the early days of flight, and today we are renowned innovators in the fields of Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Computers and Technology, Engineering, Security, Intelligence & Safety and Space. Our mission is to teach students the science, practice and business of aviation and aerospace, preparing them for leadership roles in industry, government agencies and the military. Our students are also an integral part of pioneering research that has the power to change the world, and Embry-Riddle partners with key stakeholders to develop new insights and solutions that help meet the challenges of today and enhance the opportunities of tomorrow.
Embry-Riddle faculty members are active leaders in their respective industries and share the knowledge and key connections they’ve gained from decades of experience to ensure our graduates have a vital competitive edge in the workforce. We are proud of our diverse student body, which today represents some of the best young minds from all around the globe. Our residential campuses, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, offer you the choice of living and learning in a spectacular beach setting or a scenic mountain community. As a distance learning leader, our Worldwide Campus features award-winning technology that leverages online and face-to-face instruction through a network of locations designed to support student advancement in the United States and abroad. What will you discover at Embry-Riddle?
Connor McShane Wilson Van Ness
Florida Campus 1 Aerospace Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386.226.6100 / 800.862.2416 daytonabeach@erau.edu Arizona Campus 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301 928.777.6600 / 800.888.3728 prescott@erau.edu Worldwide & Online Campus 1 Aerospace Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 800.522.6787 worldwide@erau.edu
Get Connected!
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3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
CONTENTS
BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS
FL AZ WO
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Aeronautical Science – Flight
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Aeronautics
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Aerospace Engineering
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Aerospace Physiology
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Air Traffic Management
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Applied Biology
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Astronomy & Astrophysics
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Aviation & Aerospace Safety
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Aviation Business Administration
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Aviation Maintenance
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Aviation Maintenance Science
HISTORY IN THE MAKING FUELING THE FUTURE
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Aviation Safety
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Business Administration
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Business Analytics
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Civil Engineering
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Communication
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Computational Mathematics
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Computer Engineering
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Computer Science
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Cyber Intelligence & Security
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Data Science
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Electrical Engineering
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Emergency Services
TRENDING
Engineering
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Engineering Physics
INSIDE A WORLD OF RESEARCH 19
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Engineering Technology
05 Flight Training Starts Here Future pilots build confidence through
a a a a
Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination
Forensic Biology
Embry-Riddle’s Preflight Immersion Laboratory for Operations Training, a four-week VR program.
Forensic Psychology
Global Business & Supply Chain Management
11 Trained for Altitude
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Global Conflict Studies
The High-Altitude Lab gives students a rare opportunity to train under simulated conditions that mirror the physiological challenges of flight.
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Global Security & Intelligence Studies
a a a a a
Homeland Security & Intelligence
21 Against the Current
Human Factors Psychology
Embry-Riddle’s Women’s Rowing team made program history at the 2025 NCAA II Championships, securing first place. 30 Barriers Become Runways An Embry-Riddle Worldwide student made history as the first woman from Bangladesh to serve as an airline pilot.
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Industrial / Organizational Psychology
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Interdisciplinary Studies
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Logistics & Supply Chain Management
WHERE PASSION IGNITES ALTITUDE
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Mechanical Engineering
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Meteorology
a a a
Pilot Operations
Project Management
GET LOCAL
Safety Management
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Simulation Science, Games & Animation
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19 Florida Campus – Daytona Beach 23 Arizona Campus – Prescott 27 Worldwide & Online
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Software Engineering
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Space Operations
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Space Physics
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Systems Engineering
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Technical Management
Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems
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Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
FLIGHT TRAINING STARTS HERE
WHERE PASSION MEETS PRECISION
At Embry‑Riddle, your first flight lesson doesn’t start in the sky — it starts in the Preflight Immersion Lab. This is where future pilots get hands-on with full-motion simulators, immersive checklists and real-world ATC practices, all in a high-tech virtual environment.
30 % The PILOT Program has reduced students’ time to solo by more than 30%.
AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Before ever stepping onto the flight deck, future pilots at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are taking flight — virtually. The Preflight Immersion Laboratory for Operations Training (PILOT) program gives students four weeks of highly structured, simulation-based training designed to sharpen their skills, boost confidence and improve performance before in-air flight training begins. Supported by the Preflight Immersion Lab on the Daytona Beach Campus, the program includes two hours of daily instruction using 10 Immersive Training Devices (ITDs) and 10 Procedures Trainers (PTs). IMMERSIVE TRAINING DEVICES In the ITDs — virtual reality simulators that mirror the motion and feel of a Cessna 172 — students practice private pilot maneuvers in progressively challenging scenarios that culminate in a virtual reality (VR) checkride. Real-time grading helps students refine their skills with precision. PROCEDURES TRAINERS The PTs immerse students in airport procedures, from pre-flight checks to checklist flows and in-flight operations. Each device is a virtual replica of the aircraft in Embry-Riddle’s fleet, complete with interactive controls. As students master procedures, instructors introduce realistic discrepancies for them to identify and resolve. Another component of the PT focuses on air traffic control (ATC) communications. Using a three-part sequence — learn, practice and do — students build fluency in radio phraseology through AI-Driven VR interactions that simulate real ATC environments. With a focus on quality, safety and innovation, the Preflight Immersion Lab shortens the path to proficiency while reducing training time and cost. It’s not just where pilot training starts, it’s where the next generation of aviators gain the confidence to soar.
STUDENT INSIGHTS
Forever an Eagle “Embry-Riddle has been the place of many firsts for me. It carries a sense of sentimentality because of the strong connections I’ve made, the opportunities I’ve had and the achievements I’ve earned — experiences and accomplishments that no one can take away.”
Patti Grace Smith Fellow Selected through a highly competitive national process, this prestigious fellowship recognizes exceptional Black and African American students pursuing aerospace careers. Fellows receive scholarships, mentorship and a paid internship with a leading aerospace company — empowering the next generation of innovators and industry leaders.
Driven to Innovate Bankole is looking forward to an opportunity to make a positive impact in his industry — and is well on his way to doing so.
Built for Balance “Achieving balance is possible — it simply requires discipline, consistency and the determination to stay committed to your goals.”
Ashley Strickland ’24, ’26 LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT A Journey Defined by Growth
Omoniyi Bankole ’27
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Where Passion Meets Possibility Omoniyi Bankole (’27) is passionate about driving innovation in space scientific discovery. As a 2025 Patti Grace Smith Fellow and an Aerospace Engineering student, he’s preparing to turn his dreams into reality. Bankole’s fellowship provides scholarship grants and an internship with a leading aerospace company. He passed an extensive and rigorous review process (among hundreds of applicants) to be selected as a fellow, including an interview, a stamp of approval from various aerospace professionals and a selection process from the host company he was matched with — Lockheed Martin. Bankole traveled to Colorado to work as a systems engineering intern focused on deep space exploration mission strategy and capabilities.
Ashley Strickland (’24, ’26) began her journey unsure of her long-term path, working full-time while searching for direction. After joining Embry-Riddle as an employee, she enrolled in her first Worldwide course in 2020 — and never stopped. Now nearing completion of her M.S. in Management, Strickland has balanced continuous education with roles in Financial Aid and the Office of the Registrar. Worldwide’s flexibility allowed her to apply leadership theory directly to real workplace challenges, strengthening her confidence and sense of purpose. Over time, school became part of her daily rhythm, and growth became constant. “If there is one lesson I have taken from both programs, it is that anyone can be a leader.” Today, Strickland sees her experience as more than a degree path — it’s a reflection of persistence, belonging and growth.
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STUDENT INSIGHTS
Degrees with Purpose Dual degrees in Project Management and Engineering open doors to a wide range of opportunities across
Global Learning in Action Christianson took advantage of Embry-Riddle’s Study Abroad program, traveling to both Chile and Argentina.
disciplines — from business and management to science and engineering.
Perspective Changes Everything “It really opened my eyes to how beautiful the environment can be, just by seeing it from aerial imagery using a drone.”
Flexible by Design “Without the flexibility of the Worldwide platform, going back to school for me right now wouldn’t be possible.”
Belle Christianson ’26
Evan Smith ’27
UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ENGINEERING
Mapping the Earth from Above Belle Christianson (’26) discovered her passion for drones through competitive robotics, where she developed design, problem-solving and teamwork skills. In high school, she joined a 4-H FIRST Robotics team, designing and building competitive robots. That foundation led her to the Real World Design Challenge, where her cyber-school team won nationals and placed second internationally in uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) design and mission planning. At Embry-Riddle, Christianson serves as president of the Robotics Association and applies her expertise as a licensed Part 107 drone pilot. Her current research uses multispectral drone imagery to study vegetation stress and land changes in Chile, including monitoring sinkholes. By blending advanced technology with environmental applications, Christianson is making a meaningful impact in aviation, environmental monitoring and beyond.
From Service to Dual Success Evan Smith (’27) advances his aerospace ambitions while enlisted in the Army — thanks to the flexible programs offered by the Worldwide Campus. A U.S. Army servicemember, Smith is earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Project Management and Engineering while serving as vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), representing more than 30,000 Worldwide Campus students. Through SGA and by founding an Engineering Student Council, he’s gained confidence as a leader, launching initiatives that impact the entire student body. “I have become more confident in my ability to make a decision that will possibly have an impact on a huge number of people.” With Embry-Riddle, Smith found the perfect balance to advance his career, combining financial, ethical and administrative skills with the technical knowledge and competencies required of an engineer.
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STUDENT INSIGHTS
Personal Guides “Embry‑Riddle has great
professors who go above and beyond. They don’t just teach — they try to get to know you as a person to guide you better.”
Intelligence in Action “I chose Embry‑Riddle because it has one of the very few undergraduate intelligence programs in the country, many extremely qualified and dedicated professors and ample opportunity to get involved in intelligence before graduating.”
Fascination for Space “I started off reading books about astronauts and astronomy,” he recalled. “And I realized that in order to do all this science, there are a lot of people — engineers — working behind the scenes. That engineering was what brought me in.”
Leading the Way Muchow was founder and president of the Embry-Riddle Model United Nations (UN) team.
Vikas Patel ’24 AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Christina Muchow ’26
GLOBAL SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE STUDIES
Driving Innovation in Air and Space During his time at Embry-Riddle, Aerospace Engineering graduate Vikas Patel (’24) made an impact. From Design-Build-Fly to LLAMAS, Patel’s undergraduate journey soared. On the Design-Build-Fly competition team, Patel worked on the design and function of the aircraft’s battery, contributing to the team’s second-place finish in 2022. As the lead for battery testing on LLAMAS, the student-built camera system that launched into space aboard the Polaris Dawn mission, Patel was awed by his impact as a student. “To have something you built reach space — and then be used in orbit? Still baffles me,” he said. A current guidance, navigation and control (GNC) development and testing intern at NASA, Patel has a bright future — and was selected to be a part of Aviation Week’s 20 Twenties Class of 2025.
Uniting Students and Nations For Christina Muchow (’26), intelligence and global security are top priorities. Since her first year on campus, Muchow has been involved with Eagle Eye Intelligence, a student-run research and intelligence organization that publishes reports and analyses of current geopolitical issues. “I was interested in joining Eagle Eye for the opportunity to practice intelligence writing and receive guidance from the more experienced upperclassmen,” she shared. “I later became an editor to continue developing my skills and give back to the organization that was helping me grow.” Throughout her career at Eagle Eye, she has had 22 articles published in issues of Eagle Eye and began serving as editor-in-chief during the 2025 fall semester. “This has allowed me to work with an amazing, dedicated group of fellow students,” she said.
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HUMANITY FEATURE
OPENING DOORS TO DISCOVERY, ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
“Now, when I am designing parts in my classes, I take more consideration into how the final product will be assembled and maintained,” she explained. Savukinas also found her research inspiration in her classes, noticing a disproportionate number of female students. At Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus during the fall 2024 semester, 26% of the undergraduate College of Engineering students were female. She began to question how the seating location of female undergraduate students impacts academic success. “I reached out to Humanities and Communication Professor, Dr. Ashley Lear, and introduced her to my research idea. Lear recruited Kayla Taylor, an Electrical Engineering doctoral student,” Savukinas told us. “Working with these two women has been truly inspiring. They are each at the top of their respective fields and have so much knowledge and expertise that they were willing to share with me.”
Cassandra Savukinas (’25) is on a mission to make science more accessible. She fell in love with engineering in middle and high school and chose to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle to pursue her passion. In 2023, Savukinas joined Embry-Riddle’s Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition team as a first-year student and the team’s only non-maintenance major, where her engineering background proved valuable in problem solving and technical analysis. The Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition is an annual event that allows current and future maintenance professionals to compete in categories ranging from commercial airline and general aviation to space. Savukinas competed again in 2025, helping the team win the AireXpert Dream Team award and finishing first in an individual event. These experiences have given her a greater appreciation for the maintenance required to keep people safe in the air.
Savukinas presented her research findings at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Frontiers in Education Conference — thanks to her awards from the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and the $1,500 travel grant from the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). As part of the next generation of scientists and explorers, Savukinas is determined to make meaningful contributions to science and shape a more just and connected world. “Knowing the work I do could one day help create solutions rather than barriers is what keeps me focused and passionate,” she said. “I want to be part of a team that values curiosity, collaboration and making knowledge accessible — all while pushing the boundaries of what we know about space.”
SCIENCE IS FOR EVERYONE
Aerospace Engineering student Cassandra Savukinas is on a mission to make science more accessible.
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SPECIALIZED LABS & HANDS-ON LEARNING
BUILT FOR PRESSURE, TRAINED FOR ALTITUDE No Ordinary Lab. No Ordinary Future. Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University leads in aviation safety education, thanks to innovative facilities like the High-Altitude Lab (HAL), which trains pilots and researchers to recognize and respond to hypoxia. Caused by lowered blood oxygen levels, hypoxia can be hard to recognize and causes symptoms that include euphoria, confusion, anxiety, difficulty breathing and rapid heart rate. If left unchecked, it can result in unconsciousness and death.
Located on the Daytona Beach Campus, HAL uses a normobaric chamber that safely simulates oxygen deprivation, helping students experience real symptoms such as confusion and rapid heart rate and teaching them how to respond quickly. “We have a lot of important labs in the College of Aviation, but none more important than the HAL lab,” said Dr. Alan Stolzer, dean of Embry-Riddle’s College of Aviation. “What we do in there is nothing short of amazing, and it’s something that few other universities are able to offer.” “The primary objective of the lab is for students to experience firsthand the symptoms of hypoxia,” said Scott Wagner, an associate professor in the College of Aviation and the lab director. “Academically, all pilots are trained about hypoxia, but HAL allows them to feel those symptoms, which are not always easy to recognize.”
Hypoxia affects people differently. “Oftentimes, people don’t jump to the immediate conclusion they’re getting hypoxic, which happens inside the chamber even when they already know that is what’s going to happen,” Wagner said. “We teach them that if this were happening on the flight deck, it would be a real emergency — they have five seconds to get their oxygen masks on.” Training at the HAL not only saves lives — it provides a unique opportunity for our students, supporting research and professional development for those aspiring to careers in aviation, medicine and aerospace life sciences. The lab is also used by corporate and professional pilots, further enhancing Embry‑Riddle’s reputation for hands-on, industry-leading training.
The VICON Motion Capture System captures every move with incredible precision, turning human motion into 3D data. Used in research and performance studies, it helps students explore how people move, work and interact with technology in the real world.
WHERE COGNITION CONNECTS The Motor Control, Cognition and Aging Lab (MCCAL) is a new lab that provides Embry-Riddle Worldwide students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on research experience entirely online. In the MCCAL, students explore the roles cognition and aging play in human motor control. Using online programs, students recruit participants representing a diverse range of ages (18 years and up) from anywhere in the country. They complete surveys, cognitive assessments and computer- and-mouse motor control tasks. The MCCAL provides a way to enhance data collection and provide students with opportunities to work one-on-one with participants. The lab plans to move to live-monitored sessions, where student research assistants provide participants with direct instruction, make live observations
SMARTER DESIGN, STRONGER PERFORMANCE
Technology like the VICON Motion Capture System allows researchers to get precise information, compare existing data and understand the workings of the human body in real-time movement. The lab is affiliated with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) — providing a high-quality educational experience to students and researchers. Current and past research in this lab includes various partnerships with industry to conduct motion analysis on employees, improving overall safety, efficiency and effectiveness.
The Prescott, Arizona, campus is home to the Ergonomics Lab — a space devoted to studies that explore the ways humans move and interact with their physical surroundings. What is ergonomics? Ergonomics is defined as structuring a workplace, product, system or structure to best fit the person who will be utilizing it — overall improving comfort, safety and worker effectiveness. “Ergonomic injuries,” or musculoskeletal disorders, can happen when a person completes tasks in a way that is awkward or unnatural due to their surroundings, which can lead to long-term pain or injury. Through applied research and analysis of movement, undergraduate and graduate students in the Ergonomics Lab work to improve worker effectiveness and safety.
and provide real-time feedback. Students gain experience as
contributing research authors, create conference posters and present their research at live events. In the future, there will be opportunities for students to develop new research questions and explore new online testing techniques. The MCCAL is the brainchild of Dr. Isaac Flint, assistant professor at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. His hope is that students leave the lab with valuable experiences and skills, making them more competitive in the job market or when applying to graduate school.
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FUELING THE FUTURE
SMARTER LUNAR MISSIONS FUEL INNOVATION FOR SAFER, ADVANCING CRYOGENIC
FUELING THE FUTURE
When astronauts reach the moon, they don’t just drift directly onto the lunar surface — they carefully board another spacecraft, called a human lander, to safely carry them from orbit to landing. With the goal of taking crewed missions to the moon for the first time since the early 1970s, new landers will have an expanded purpose — functioning as living quarters for astronauts where they can collect samples, complete experimentation, test new technology and observe the moon environment. Annually, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student team competes in NASA’s Human Lander Challenge (HLC), a competition that explores innovative solutions, existing technology and potential development areas for the Human Landing System (HLS). David Clay (’26), a student in Aerospace Engineering and media officer for the team, emphasized the importance of safe, effective and efficient human landers.
“When sending HLS to the moon, there is no ‘redo,’” Clay said. “These vehicles are meant to be and will be crewed, and ensuring the safety of our partnering astronauts is paramount. There are many complex systems that must be designed when human factors are involved, which makes margins of safety larger and overall engineering more strenuous.”
Embry-Riddle’s team from the Prescott Campus, officially named the Professional Association of Research for Space Engineering Concepts (PARSEC), took home first place in the summer 2025 challenge. Focused on cryogenic, or super-chilled, fuel storage and transfer for the upcoming Artemis III mission, the team began by determining how they would measure the propellant a spacecraft carries while in microgravity. “Think of it like a car on Earth. You can weigh the fuel tank to figure out how much fuel is left,” said Grant Bowers, a rising senior in Software Engineering and the deputy project manager. “But in space, your car is floating around, and the fuel tank can’t push on a sensor to weigh it because of the lack of gravity.”
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FEATURE (continued)
FUELING THE FUTURE
“The team has really become a close group of friends, and competing and working on engineering challenges has only brought us closer. Engineering is such a unifying field, and getting to work on cutting-edge technology with some of the brightest students Embry-Riddle has to offer is the best experience.” Aerospace Engineering student and Senior Safety and Risk Officer Max Klein (’27) highlighted his experiences with PARSEC and NASA’s HLC as an invaluable part of his educational experience — and future career. “My experience with PARSEC has been pivotal for my ability to develop myself as an engineer, and I hope to carry the lessons I have learned with me throughout my professional and academic pursuits,” he said. Through competitions, projects and research, Embry-Riddle students directly contribute to the future of space exploration — innovating HLS technology for the next generation of astronauts — and perhaps the first generation of long-term lunar explorers.
Many spacecraft carry extra fuel, Bowers said, to account for the frequent inaccuracy. “By providing accurate fuel information at all stages of flight, we can save fuel and mass usage for all spacecraft,” he said, adding that the team is pursuing a patent for the technology.
How the proposed system operates:
SENSOR NETWORK
Sensors line the interior of the propellant tank walls.
ELECTRIC FIELD IMAGING
Arrays of electrodes emit electric signals, which provide cross-sectional images of the tank.
MACHINE LEARNING INTEGRATION
A machine learning algorithm approximates the tank’s contents on a continuous basis.
“The technologies we deal with throughout the project are also uncommon, so getting to learn about exciting, new and cutting-edge technologies that will fuel our future from scratch is an experience I will not soon forget,” Bowers said.
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INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE
DID YOU KNOW?
By 2050, we must produce 60 percent more food to feed a world population of 9.3 billion. As the industry works to meet this demand, the market for AI usage in agriculture is projected to grow from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $4.7 billion by 2028. MarketsandMarkets, 2024
PLANTING THE SEED FOR SMART FARMING A team of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students, Emanuele Bossi (’26), Francesco Busini (’27) and Diego Spross (’27), earned international recognition for their innovative farming solution, Agri-AI, at the Invent for the Planet (IFTP) Championship. The competition challenged students from around the globe to solve pressing societal issues within just 48 hours. For the Embry-Riddle team, that meant addressing one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: food production in a changing climate.
“We developed our project to improve agricultural methods to be smarter and more efficient,” said Busini, a Mechanical Engineering student. Agri-AI is a high-tech precision agriculture system that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, machine learning and drone-based automation. The solar-powered drones monitor soil health, predict weather impacts and apply water or fertilizer only where needed — helping conserve resources, boost crop yields and increase farmers’ resilience against climate disruption. “With Agri-AI, we can help bring about a better economic return to farmers by reducing waste and increasing efficiency,” said Bossi, who studies Software Engineering and Data Science. According to the team, Agri-AI could cut agricultural water use by up to 40% while increasing yields by 30%. Agriculture currently consumes nearly 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, making their innovation both timely and impactful.
Their concept won the top spot locally and advanced to the final round at Texas A&M University, where just seven teams were selected globally. Though they didn’t take the top prize, the Embry-Riddle team impressed judges with their creativity, technical depth and potential to scale. “Agri-AI had a creative and elegant solution to a significant problem,” said Texas A&M’s Jim Donnell. “In addition to demonstrating their engineering brilliance, they did an extremely good job pitching their concept to the panel of judges.” The team hopes to secure support to continue developing their system — a testament to how innovation, fueled by purpose, can sprout from a single weekend of inspired collaboration.
LEARN MORE ABOUT AGRI-AI
Read the full story about the award- winning innovation.
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STUDY ABROAD
OUT-OF-THIS- WORLD RESEARCH IN THE ANDES
High in the Chilean Andes, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory provides access for students to work with world-class telescopes, gain hands-on research experience and explore the universe firsthand — perfect for future aerospace and physics leaders.
Find New Horizons with Study Abroad For many students, studying abroad is one of the most rewarding parts of their college experience. At Embry-Riddle, the world is at your fingertips with opportunities to learn and grow in another country for a summer, semester, year and more. Study abroad programs give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, advance your degree, stand out to employers with diverse experience, build a network of friends and professors, develop independence, gain new insights and broaden your horizons. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was so much better than I could have imagined. Living in and experiencing different aspects and areas of another country for a few weeks was incredible, humbling and impactful.” Elias “EJ” Bailey (’27) Computer Science At Embry-Riddle, the possibilities are endless. From short-term faculty-led programs in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia to semester- or year-long exchange programs and internships, the world is waiting for you!
From Andes Summits to Cutting-Edge Insights on Earth’s Atmosphere High atop the Andes Mountains, Engineering Physics student Adriana Feener-Rivera (’29) took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad, gain research experience in her chosen field and be a part of something that could make a difference. “It was an experience of a lifetime,” Feener-Rivera said. “It’s very dry and windy at the site in Chile, so we get a lot of good data from there because there are so many nights with clear skies.” Part of the research focused on collecting data about weather patterns on Earth. This data will help scientists better understand and predict weather in space, translating into implications for hurricane and storm preparedness. In addition to ideal weather conditions, the Andes Mountains also have a unique advantage due to consistent thunderstorms and winds in the Amazon rainforest. When the Andes’ high-altitude environment and storms are combined, they create oscillations in the atmosphere known as atmospheric waves.
As a part of her doctoral research, Feener-Rivera was tasked with creating 3D images of the waves by placing airglow imagers at specific angles. The imagers detect light from the upper atmosphere and translate it into data that can be analyzed and used to understand dynamic processes. Throughout the trip, Feener-Rivera also gained insightful mentorship as she assisted Dr. Alan Liu, a professor in the Physical Sciences Department, with his research. “Dr. Liu is a great professor. He’s been super understanding and so helpful in guiding me through the entire process,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience.”
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CAMPUS FEATURE
DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA CAMPUS Our East Coast campus is only minutes from the beach and adjacent to an international airport and speedway.
Natalie Brattain (’26) and Grace Gratton (’27) are shaping the future of space science through undergraduate research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges in human spaceflight. From space weather and systems engineering to astronaut health and biomedical countermeasures, their work reflects a shared commitment to advancing safety and performance beyond Earth. This year, their work earned national recognition when both students were named recipients of the 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a highly competitive award that recognizes exceptional undergraduate researchers pursuing careers in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarships in the United States, the award supports students whose research demonstrates both academic excellence and long-term impact. Gratton, a Space Physics major, has focused her research efforts on understanding solar wind and its broader impacts on space systems. While earning her undergraduate degree, she expanded her work into systems engineering and completed a summer internship at the Air Force Research Lab in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her research experience also includes presenting work on drone swarm management and satellite networks — modeled after natural processes such as turtle hatchling behavior — at the Conference on Systems Engineering Research (CSER) in Los Angeles, California.
Gratton was also named a 2025 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Gratton says she was inspired to study Space Physics after seeing the colorful aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, move across the sky in her home state of Minnesota. “It was a life-changing event for me to be able to see that,” she said. “Something about all the energy dancing through the sky — I needed to know how that works.” Brattain’s work centers on astronaut health and space physiology, with a focus on developing countermeasures that support long-duration spaceflight. Currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace Physiology, she plans to continue her academic path with a Ph.D. in Bioastronautics after graduating. Over the summer, Brattain worked alongside faculty mentor Dr. Foram Madiyar, assistant professor of chemistry, on a NASA-funded research project involving self-healing polymers. Dr. Madiyar emphasized Brattain’s ability to translate complex research into meaningful outcomes. “Her ability to synthesize hands-on experiments and collaborative leadership into tangible progress is rare at the undergraduate level, and it leaves no doubt that she will make meaningful contributions to human-spaceflight health in the years ahead,” Madiyar said. Both Gratton and Brattain were recently recognized among six Embry-Riddle Students Honored in Aviation Week’s Prestigious 20 Twenties List, highlighting their growing impact within the aerospace and aviation fields. Their combined achievements reflect a trajectory defined by curiosity, collaboration and real-world research — positioning both students as future leaders in space science and astronaut health.
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s 7,900+ Undergraduate Students s 50 States / 98 Countries Represented s 12% International Students Student Clubs + Organizations Our Florida Campus houses hundreds of student clubs, including the Mars Society, Musicians Club, Muscle Car Association and Microgravity Club, as well as intramural and recreational sports. NCAA Division II Athletics Women’s Men’s s Basketball s Baseball s Cross Country s Basketball s Golf s Cross Country s Lacrosse s Golf s Rowing s Lacrosse s Soccer s Rowing s Softball s Soccer s Tennis s Tennis s Track & Field s Track & Field s Volleyball Coed s Cheerleading
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TAKING ON SPACE , SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE INSIDE A WORLD OF RESEARCH
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RANCH 42 ANGUS COW ID: BOV-01732
STAYING AHEAD OF THE HERD Student Innovation Reaches NASA
Against the Current, Making History In the 2025 NCAA II rowing championship, Embry-Riddle’s Women’s Rowing team made program history — earning first place out of six teams by just two points and winning Embry-Riddle Athletics’ first NCAA II team title. Through rough winds, Embry-Riddle’s eight boat persevered — placing first by just under an eighth of a second. This win earned the team 18 points, but the competition wasn’t over yet. After a 10-hour weather delay, the four boat Grand Final began. Placing third, Embry-Riddle’s four boat scored eight points, securing the national title. Individual athletes stood out in the competition as well. At-Large Academic All-American and Electrical Engineering major Soleil Edwards (’26) became the first Embry-Riddle athlete to win the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award, and Head Coach Grant Maddock was named SSC Coach of the Year. “Two years ago, we made a deliberate choice to raise the bar by training harder and racing at a higher level. That commitment set the course for where the program is today,” shared Maddock. “I’m incredibly proud of how these women embraced the vision and trusted the process.” “What we’ve accomplished is special, but it’s just the beginning of what this team is capable of.”
Daytona Beach team designs cattle management UAV system, soaring to finals in national competition. At Embry-Riddle, innovation takes flight — sometimes all the way to NASA. This year, an engineering team at the Daytona Beach Campus advanced to the finals of NASA’s Blue Skies Competition. The challenge involved conceiving an aviation system to improve the production efficiency and decrease the environmental impact of farming practices, which can be operational by 2035. Their answer to an unmet need in cattle farming management? Sky Shepherd — an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to reduce noise disturbance, improve herd safety and enable faster veterinary response. “Our autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicle concept implements low-stress cattle management techniques to large ranches that are not currently able to implement aeronautical solutions in a practical way,” Team Lead Gus Gatti (’25) said.
Fellow Team Lead Tyler McConnell (’27) and team members Nathaniel Cook (’27), Bridget Kenney (’27), Lauren Augusto (’27) and Akshay Kaundinya (’25) were guided by Associate Professor Claudia Ehringer Lucas, who first taught them in an Introduction to Engineering course. “Being involved in this project has had a transformative impact on the students,” Dr. Lucas said. After nearly a year of work, the team traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center to present their concept, complete with infographics and research papers. “This was an awesome way to learn more about current areas of innovation in the aerospace industry and get perspective toward future areas of research,” Gatti shared. The project pushed students beyond their comfort zones into aeroacoustics and experimental battery technology, while teaching them the full lifecycle of innovation — from ideation to face-to-face venture pitching with industry leaders. In appreciation for their work, the team received a $9,000 stipend from NASA to attend the final forum. Competitions like Blue Skies highlight Embry-Riddle’s curriculum, emphasizing hands-on learning, industry mentorship and applied problem solving to prepare students for high-impact careers.
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Shadowing Success Embry-Riddle students get an exclusive look into exciting career pathways through Eagle Job Shadow Day — spending time with top companies like United Airlines and Flexjet. For his shadowing experience, Aeronautical Science student Jonathan Batista (’26) had the opportunity to ride along with a Metro Aviation medical flight crew. I got to witness firsthand what their day-to-day operations are like, including landing on rooftops and parking lots as they transported patients between hospitals.” Jonathan Batista ’26 Aeronautical Science Eagle Job Shadow Day is hosted by Embry-Riddle’s Center for Career and Professional Development, designed to allow students to explore companies and roles that they may have interest in after graduation. In 2025, nearly 200 Eagles participated through this event and Alternative Spring Break, which offers similar opportunities. “Our goal is to expand opportunities for students to connect with employers,” said Heather A. Kim, senior executive director of the center. “Experiential learning — through internships and employer visits — significantly boosts students’ chances of securing jobs.”
TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Gachancipa urges current students to push boundaries. “It’s the best way to grow, both personally and professionally.” He’s also passionate about the field he works within. “The fast advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping our society and how we interact with the digital world,” he says. “It’s an exciting time to be in this field, but it requires continuous learning and adaptability.” With plans to pursue a master’s degree at Embry-Riddle while working at Google, Gachancipa embodies a lifelong learner who pushes for success at every turn. His goal: to build tools that improve lives across industries and around the globe.
Alumnus Nicolas Gachancipa applies engineering and computational skills to transformative AI innovations at Google. Having worked for Airbus and Google, Nicolas Gachancipa (’21) is helping shape future technology. After earning dual degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Computational Mathematics through the Daytona Beach Campus, he now works on Google’s AI Research team, developing machine learning models for hardware devices like Pixel phones. Previously, he improved security and spam detection for Google Meet and Voice, drawing on his Embry-Riddle experience, where technical expertise is paired with leadership and communication skills. As a student, Gachancipa joined a faculty-led physics team to sharpen his coding abilities and completed a capstone project using computational mathematics to detect radioactive sources in urban environments.
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PRESCOTT ARIZONA CAMPUS Nestled in the beautiful Bradshaw Mountains between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, our Western campus is renowned for its excellent seasonal weather and outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and rock climbing, to name just a few.
WHERE PASSION IGNITES ALTITUDE EMBRY‑RIDDLE ROCKET TEAM OVERCOMES SETBACKS TO LAUNCH DENEB-2
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s 3,200+ Undergraduate Students s 50 States / 53 Countries Represented s 7% International Students Student Clubs + Organizations Our Arizona Campus is home to countless student clubs, ranging from the Mountain Biking Club to the Society of Women Engineers and the Blue Eagles Skydiving Team to the Brotherhood of Steel, as well as a variety of intramural and recreational sports.
Back to the Launchpad At a launch site in California’s Mojave Desert, 20 Embry-Riddle students stood ready to fire Deneb-2 — a liquid-fueled rocket they had designed, built and, after disaster struck, rebuilt from the ground up. The Rocket Development Lab (RDL) team had already made history in 2023, when Deneb-1 set the collegiate amateur liquid-fueled rocket altitude record at 47,732 feet. This time, their sights were set on more than doubling it — aiming for 100,000 feet. “The feeling just before button push is the scariest thing in the world,” said Olivia Wood (’25), a Mechanical Engineering graduate specializing in Propulsion. Former team lead for the Deneb project, Wood now works at SpaceX as a launch operations engineer. Their launch goal nearly ended four months earlier. On Nov. 23, during a test fire, a catastrophic engine failure caused an explosion.
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“At Embry-Riddle, we have a robust safety culture at our rocket test complex,” said Dr. Neil Sullivan, former assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering and faculty mentor. “Students are supported by rigorous training and certification … as well as extensive procedures for every activity performed at a test cell.” No one was injured, but Deneb-2 sustained severe damage. Frame-by-frame video analysis revealed the cause: an undetected nitrogen leak. This caused a slow fuel valve, allowing oxygen to build up in the chamber and resulting in the detonation. “Because of the explosion, we had to completely rebuild the pressure supply system,” added Mechanical Engineering student and Test Conductor Miles Holt (’26), who interned at SpaceX headquarters last summer.
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