Our Values
We strive to
Welcome people from all nationalities, backgrounds, and identities
Provide everyone with a supportive and collaborative environment for developing professionally and personally
Keep a growth mindset: success is the result of sustained effort, embracing challenges, persisting through failure, and seeking feedback
Broaden participation in engineering by lifting others as we climb
If these values resonate with you, please continue reading.
Our Expectations
Every group member is expected to
Share our values
Have a strong work ethic
Have an interest in computational research
Be proficient in coding in at least one programming language
Have an interest in topics related to structural dynamics and aeroelasticity
Some tools and resources used in our group are listed here.
Undergraduate researchers are expected to
Have completed at least one full academic year as an AE major
Commit to at least two consecutive semesters of research (can be across different academic years)
Dedicate 3 to 9 hours a week (on average) to the assigned research tasks (consistent with the number of academic credits)
Graduate researchers are expected to
Have earned a BS or MS in AE or ME by the time of joining
Master UG dynamics, structures, and aerodynamics
Dedicate 20 hours a week (on average) to the assigned research tasks, with an additional 20 hours to degree progression (classes, homework, etc.)
Postdoctoral researchers are expected to
Have earned a PhD in AE or ME by the time of joining
Master graduate structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and supporting subjects
Dedicate an average of 40 hours a week to the assigned research tasks
Visiting researchers are expected to
Meet the expectations for their appropriate career stage as listed above
Secure funding from their home institution or other external sponsors to support their visit
Be responsible for their paperwork (e.g., securing visas) and logistics (e.g., housing and transportation)
My Mentoring Philosophy
Work ethic and honesty
I expect group members to take their education and research VERY seriously. While some people are natural self-starters, everyone can excel if they put sustained effort toward their goals. I understand that difficulties are part of academic growth and research progress, and I am always willing to work with my mentees to find solutions. However, I do not tolerate any form of dishonesty or lack of work ethic in my students (e.g., lying or omitting the truth about academic performance or research progress).
Work hours and locations
When one does not take their education and research seriously, requiring them to spend specific hours in the lab will not help. Therefore, I don't enforce work hours or locations in my group. However, I expect students to make the most out of the flexibility I grant them by being self-motivated, responsible, professional, and respectful of the time I dedicate to mentoring. I expect students to attend planned meetings, giving enough notice if we need to reschedule. I also expect students to respond to non-urgent requests within a business day. I expect faster responses if we are approaching a deadline, but we will have upfront communication about these occasions.
Group meetings
We hold weekly group meetings to discuss research updates and other topics. Graduate students are expected to attend regularly.
Individual meetings
I meet with everyone weekly or biweekly (depending on career stage and project timeline). I am also available on Teams for quick questions or chats.
Publishing
While we should not chase papers, I encourage group members to publish regularly. First, writing is thinking. Second, sharing our discoveries with the community is a way to advance our field. Third, publishing allows us to collect feedback, which leads to new and higher-quality ideas. Finally, attending conferences and publishing papers can help one secure their next position, and the ability to communicate complex information is critical for ANY post-graduation career. For these reasons, graduate students should plan one publication per year after their first year. I also encourage UG students to get involved with publishing if they have time and interest in scientific writing.
Funding
I don't expect mentees to bring funding (and being fully funded does not guarantee acceptance into the group). That said, I encourage (and will support) my mentees to identify and apply for funding opportunities they are eligible for, such as fellowships, travel grants, and awards. Securing resources is a critical component of many post-graduation jobs. Therefore, getting experience with the process is an important aspect of academic and research training.
Career goals
I don't expect group members to stay in academia (I didn't want to be a Professor when I was a student). While I can provide first-hand advice on pursuing a faculty career, I will do my best to support mentees interested in other career paths (and those who don't know what they want to do next yet).
How to Reach Out
General instructions
Please reach out via email (not social media!)
Mention who you are and what you are looking for (PhD position, UG research, etc.)
If you are inquiring about a research opportunity
Describe your background and attach your CV (unless I know you well already)
Describe your interests in structural dynamics and aeroelasticity
Mention your tentative start date and time commitment
Mention if you are looking for a funded position
If you follow the instructions above, I will generally reply within 1-2 weeks.
Before sending me an email, please note
I do not distance-advise UG, MS, or PhD students from other institutions (I only advise students at GT)
I cannot direct-admit graduate students to my group (all students must formally apply to one of our programs to be admitted to GT)
I do not tolerate emails with insincere rhetoric, hyperbolic language, copy-pasted words from this website, or stretched claims of fit with my group
I will not reply if
We talked recently, and I have already said that I cannot offer an opportunity
The email addresses me inappropriately ("Hey Cristina", "Dear Madam", "Dear Sir", or other unprofessional salutations)
The email could have been sent to any group at any institution (for instance, it does not mention GT or our research area)
The email only mentions an interest in being funded, but does not provide any details about background and interests
The email gets our research area wrong due to copy-pasting
The research background and interests have nothing to do with our group's research
The email sounds like it was generated using ChatGPT or other similar tools (yes, it is easy to tell)
Additional information
Additional information about the GT AE programs can be found below:
Some useful tips for emailing a potential advisor can be found below:
Information specific to UG students, MS and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars is given below.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
We are currently at capacity for Fall 2025. Please check back in Spring 2026.
Prerequisite skills
Programming experience in any language (required)
Experience with version control using Git (preferred)
Prerequisite courses
AE 3530 System Dynamics and Vibration (preferred, may be required for some projects)
AE 4220 Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity (preferred)
Funding
I am happy to work with interested students to help them apply for salary awards under the PURA program or relevant scholarships
How undergraduate research works in my group
I will propose a couple of research topics based on ongoing efforts in the group. Once we have agreed on a topic of your interest, I will outline the activities for the semester and give you materials to get started. I meet with undergraduate students on a need basis, typically every 2 or 3 weeks for up to 30 minutes. Most meetings revolve around research, but I also use some of the time to talk about class registration and give advice on career goals. In addition to meetings, I regularly interact with UG students via a dedicated Teams channel and the Teams chat. I pair UG students with graduate students in similar areas as an additional source of mentoring whenever possible.
Graduate Research Opportunities
MS and PhD applications for Spring and Fall 2026 will be due in October and December 2025, respectively.
Please note
All prospective graduate students must go through the regular application process for one of GT AE graduate programs to be considered by our group
I can only sponsor a limited number of funded positions (Graduate Research Assistantships) per year, depending on available projects
Funded teaching positions (Graduate Teaching Assistantships) are coordinated by the Graduate Program Chair, not by me
Prerequisite skills
Programming experience in any language (required)
Experience with version control using Git (preferred)
UG research or other technical experiences (preferred)
Prerequisite courses
Dynamics, structures, and aerodynamics (required)
Structural dynamics (preferred) and aeroelasticity (preferred)
Funding
Most funded opportunities are for PhD students, though funding for MS students may occasionally be available
I am happy to advise interested students on applying for relevant fellowships
Prospective students
You should apply to one of the GT AE graduate programs, listing Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics as your primary research area, and me as a faculty member you would like to work with. You are welcome to email me to let me know of your interests and background. I will look for your application if it passes our initial screening and we have openings. Due to my limited bandwidth, I may not be able to schedule individual meetings with all prospective applicants, especially as the deadline approaches.
You can find information about applying here (MS AE) and here (PhD AE).
Current students
If you are a GT AE graduating senior or graduate student interested in our group, you are welcome to reach out to learn about potential opportunities.
AE 8900 and MS thesis projects
If you are a current GT AE graduate student interested in conducting your AE 8900 project or MS thesis in our group, you must
Have taken AE 6230 - Structural Dynamics or AE 4220 - Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity (or equivalent classes)
Be comfortable with programming in at least one language
I cannot define a meaningful research project for students who do not meet these requirements.
AE 8900 projects are assigned on a rolling basis until we reach maximum capacity. These projects are not typically associated with a funded position.
MS thesis projects are assigned on a rolling basis until we reach maximum capacity. These projects may be associated with a GRA position.
How AE 8900 MS research works in my group
AE8900 research will work as described for UG research. The main difference will be in the project's complexity and expected level of independence.
How MS thesis and PhD research work in my group
For MS and PhD students supported by one of my projects, the scope of the research will be defined upfront. While I am happy to leave students the freedom to pursue their research ideas, this will only be possible if we meet the original project deadlines. For students supported by fellowships, I am flexible regarding the research scope, as long as it stays in my area of expertise and aligns with current efforts in our group.
Regardless of the funding source, we will make multi-year and shorter-term plans. This will help us keep track of the big picture while making steps toward completing the work. I regularly meet with graduate students, typically every week or biweekly, for as much time as we need (and my schedule allows). These meetings revolve around research, academics, and various career-building topics. In addition to meetings, I regularly interact with students via a dedicated Teams channel and the Teams chat.
Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
We are open to considering motivated and qualified postdoctoral researchers.
Prerequisite skills
Advanced coding experience in any language (required)
Expertise in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and supporting subjects (required)
Funding
We do not currently have funded postdoctoral positions. Please check the fellowship opportunities below or reach out to discuss potential future funded opportunities.
How postdoc research works in my group
Postdoc research will work as described above for PhD students. The main difference will be in the project's complexity and expected level of independence.
Research Opportunities for Visiting Scholars
We are open to considering motivated and qualified visiting scholars who can commit to in-person visits (no virtual visits).
Prerequisites
See the above prerequisites for the appropriate career stage.
Funding
Visiting scholars are expected to secure funding support for their visit from their home institution or other external funding sources.
How research as a visiting scholar works in my group
The complexity and length of the project will depend on the visitor's career stage (MS student, PhD student, etc.) and the duration of the visit.
Note for international visitors
We cannot help resolve issues or delays associated with securing visas to enter the U.S..
Note for all visitors
GT does not provide on-campus housing for visiting scholars. Visiting scholars are expected to find off-campus housing on their own.
Research Opportunities for High-School Students
We are not accepting high-school researchers at this time.