FINDING PURPOSE IN A NEW HOME
Gabriela Gavilánez Gallardo’s (’22, ’24) journey from Ecuador to Embry-Riddle is a story of determination and discovery. At age 20, she left home with dreams to study aerospace engineering at the highest level. When arriving at Embry-Riddle, she faced the challenges of a new culture and academic environment but quickly found her stride. “Earning my B.S. in aerospace engineering, especially with summa cum laude honors, is more than an academic milestone; it symbolizes perseverance, resilience and adaptability,” she said. “It represents my dedication to personal growth and overcoming challenges.” Gabriela’s research under faculty member Dr. Hever Moncayo, Aerospace Engineering graduate program coordinator, focuses on artificial intelligence. She specializes in developing generative machine-learning models to improve the
precision of vision systems for better target identification and navigation, especially in challenging environments. Her dedication and leadership caught the attention of Dr. Moncayo, who nominated her for the prestigious 20 Twenties recognition. Aviation Week Network named her one of the 2024 recipients, acknowledging her courage and commitment to her research. “I nominated Gabriela for this award because of her exceptional dedication to academic excellence, leadership qualities and unconditional commitment to community service,” Moncayo said. “Her research efforts have the potential to make a profound impact across various engineering applications, including urban air mobility, aviation safety, space exploration and the operation of both crewed and uncrewed aerial systems.” Gabriela’s remarkable dedication and innovative contributions underscore her potential to make a significant impact. This accolade reflects not only her hard
work but also the supportive community at Embry-Riddle. “I was very lucky that during my time at Embry‑Riddle I have met marvelous people who now have become my second family,” she said. “These experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, and every challenge boosts my determination to make meaningful contributions to the field.”
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