Two Clark School Engineers Named Associate Fellows of Aeronautics and Astronautics Institute

Two scholars in the A. James Clark School of Engineering were named associate fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for their outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences or technology of the aerospace profession.

The Class of 2025 associate fellows will be inducted into AIAA in a ceremony on January 8, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

“This distinguished group of professionals has made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace profession. They exemplify a dedication to excellence in advancing their specific technical disciplines. We are proud of their achievements. They are shaping the future of aerospace,” said AIAA President Dan Hastings in a press release.

The grade of Associate Fellow recognizes individuals “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or who have done original work of outstanding merit, or who have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.” 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 or fellows.

Meet the University of Maryland engineers who will be inducted into the AIAA Class of 2025 Associate Fellows.

Christine Hartzell
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Associate Professor and Minta Martin Professor

Hartzell was selected for her contributions in the understanding of dust-plasma interactions on the moon and asteroids, and foundational work demonstrating the significance of plasma solitons for detecting small orbital debris.

“I'm very honored to be selected as an AIAA Associate Fellow,” she said. “Academic research is a team sport and I am very grateful to work with excellent graduate students and postdocs that are excited to push forward new ideas and technologies that can enable future exploration of the moon, asteroids and the near-Earth environment.”

Michael Kio
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Assistant Research Professor

Kio was selected for his technical leadership and positive impact to AIAA and for generating opportunities in the aerospace, aeronautics, astronautics, and aviation industry sectors.

“I am honored to be named to the 2025 class of AIAA associate fellows,” he said. “I am privileged to have engaged and continue to work with many exceptional engineers, research collaborators, students, and professional acquaintances who have helped support everything leading to this recognition. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of aerospace innovation, and I am deeply committed to advancing the future of aviation, research and space exploration for generations to come.”

Published October 31, 2024