MAE faculty elected AIAA associate fellow

Mrinal Kumar, an associate professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was recently elected Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). AIAA Associate Fellows are individuals of distinction who have made notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. Only one associate fellow for every 150 voting members are selected and approved each year. Only 17-percent of AIAA members are selected for the rank of Associate Fellow.

In 2016, Kumar founded the Laboratory for Autonomy in Data-Driven and Complex Systems (LADDCS) at the Aerospace Research Center (ARC). His group conducts research in the areas of randomized algorithms for uncertainty quantification, multi-source sensor fusion, and chance-constrained optimization and control. Some of his current projects are in the areas of space situational awareness and autonomous mission design of unmanned aerial systems. Recently, Kumar has been working with his collaborators to develop autonomous flight technology that can help firefighters by improving the forecasts of wildfire movement.