We strive to
Welcome qualified and motivated people from all nationalities, backgrounds, and identities
Provide everyone with a supportive and collaborative environment for professional and personal development
Keep a growth mindset: success is the result of sustained effort, embracing challenges, persisting through failure, and seeking feedback
Broaden participation in aerospace engineering by watching our blind spots, paying our opportunities forward, and lifting others as we advance
Every group member is expected to
Share our values
Have an excellent 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 the theory and practice of UG dynamics, structures, and aerodynamics
Dedicate 20 hours a week (on average) to the assigned research tasks, including scholarly writing
Dedicate 20 additional hours a week (on average) to academics and degree progression (lectures, homework, etc.)
Postdoctoral researchers are expected to
Have earned a PhD in AE or ME by the time of joining
Be experts in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and related topics
Dedicate 40 hours a week (on average) to the assigned research tasks, including scholarly writing
Play an active role in mentoring graduate and undergraduate group members, and assist with proposal writing
Visiting researchers are expected to
Meet the expectations for their appropriate career stage listed above
Secure funding from their home institution or other external sponsors to support their visit
Be responsible for the logistics of the visit (e.g., securing visas, finding housing, and transportation)
This section outlines my expectations for members of our group. These guidelines are intended to promote a productive, supportive, and professional environment.
Work ethic and honesty
I expect group members to take their education and research very seriously. I recognize that challenges and setbacks are inherent to growth, and I am willing to work with mentees to overcome them. However, dishonesty or a sustained lack of effort are incompatible with membership in the group.
Work hours and locations
If someone lacks a work ethic, enforcing specific work hours is not effective. Therefore, I do not prescribe fixed workdays or times. That said, I expect group members to use the flexibility I grant responsibly and to be self-driven, reliable, and professional. All group members are expected to attend scheduled meetings, provide advance notice if rescheduling is needed, and respond to non-urgent requests within one business day. I expect faster responses around deadlines, and we will have upfront conversations about these situations.
Group meetings
We hold weekly group meetings. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are expected to attend regularly.
Individual meetings and communications
I meet with everyone weekly or biweekly, depending on career stage and project timeline. I am also available on Teams for quick questions or informal check-ins.
Weekly updates
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers (including visiting students) are expected to provide weekly updates summarizing completed work, pending tasks, and topics requiring discussion. While these updates typically focus on research, they should also include other items that may require my input, such as course planning, fellowship or award applications, and other career-development matters. Updates should be submitted as a Word document in our Teams channel.
Undergraduate students should also provide semi-regular updates, either verbally or via Teams, to their graduate mentor or me. They are encouraged, but not required, to adopt the same format as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
Publishing
While we should not chase publications for their own sake, I strongly encourage regular publishing. Writing is a form of thinking, and sharing our work is how we advance our field and receive valuable feedback. Publishing and conference participation also support career development, and effective communication skills are critical for any career path. For these reasons, graduate students should plan to publish at least one publication per year after their first year in the group. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to participate in publishing, particularly if they are interested in graduate research.
Funding
I do not expect mentees to enter the group with funding, nor does external funding guarantee acceptance if there is no fit. However, group members are expected to apply for relevant opportunities, such as fellowships, awards, and travel grants. Securing resources is an important component of many career paths, and I view the application process itself as a valuable part of professional development, regardless of outcome. I am happy to dedicate time to supporting these efforts.
Career goals
I do not push group members to pursue academic careers. While I can provide direct advice on becoming a faculty member, I am equally committed to supporting mentees interested in other paths.
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
Mention if you are looking for a funded position
Mention your tentative start date and time commitment
Describe your interests in structural dynamics and aeroelasticity
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 at other institutions (I only advise students affiliated with GT)
I cannot direct-admit graduate students to my group (all students must 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
I will likely not reply if
The email gets my name, institution, or research area wrong
The email mentions background and interests that have nothing to do with my research area
We talked recently, and I have already said that I cannot offer an opportunity in the foreseeable future
The email addresses me inappropriately ("Hey Cristina", "Dear Madam", "Dear Sir", or other unprofessional salutations)
The email only mentions an interest in being funded, but does not provide any details about the specific background and interests
The email sounds like it was generated using ChatGPT or other similar artificial intelligence tools (yes, it is easy to recognize the tone)
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:
Undergraduate researchers
Students interested in joining the group in the Spring and Fall semesters typically reach out in the early Fall and late Spring, respectively. I do not take on new students in the Summer, aside from visiting students through the Georgia Tech SURE program. Applications for this program are due in February. Students are encouraged to reach out early if interested in working with our group through this fully funded mechanism. See also here.
Graduate researchers
Students interested in our MS or PhD programs are welcome to reach out. I am happy to set up meetings if my schedule allows. I evaluate applications for Spring and Fall admission in October (Spring) and December or January (Fall), respectively. I issue funding offers in November (Spring) and by the end of March (Fall), respectively. If you are a current or admitted GT AE graduate student, you are welcome to reach out at any time. However, I may not be able to offer a funded opportunity on short notice.
I do not hold appointments at GT Schools other than AE. Therefore, I cannot serve as the main advisor for students outside AE.
2026-2027 admission cycle: Students interested in applying for Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Fall 2027 graduate admissions are encouraged to reach out.
Postdoctoral researchers
I do not currently have funded postdoctoral researcher openings.
Visiting researchers
I evaluate inquiries for visiting positions on a rolling basis. Visiting researchers are expected to have funding support from their home institution.
Prerequisite skills
Programming experience in any language (required)
Experience with version control using Git (preferred)
Prerequisite courses
AE 3530 System Dynamics and Vibration (required)
AE 4220 Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity (preferred)
Funding
Undergraduate research opportunities are generally for academic credit, aside from potential Summer opportunities under the SURE program
I am happy to work with interested students to help them apply for salary awards under the PURA program or for relevant scholarships
How undergraduate research works in my group
I typically propose a research topic based on ongoing efforts, outline the semester's activities, and provide initial materials. I meet with undergraduates as needed, typically every 2 or 3 weeks for 15-30 minutes. Meetings typically focus on research discussions, but I also reserve time for academic and career advice. In addition to meetings, I regularly interact with UG students via Teams. Some UG students may be paired with a graduate student mentors, depending on the project.
2026-2027 admission cycle: Students interested in applying for Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Fall 2027 graduate admissions are encouraged to reach out.
The Mentoring page lists relevant fellowship opportunities for graduate students in our field.
Please note
Prospective graduate students must go through the regular application process for a GT AE graduate program to be considered by our group
I can only offer a limited number of funded positions (Graduate Research Assistantships) per year, depending on the availability of funds
The Graduate Program Chair coordinates the assignment of funded teaching positions (Graduate Teaching Assistantships)
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
Funded opportunities are generally for PhD students, though funding for MS students may occasionally be available
I am happy to advise students interested in joining our group on fellowship applications (see the Mentoring page), if my schedule allows
Prospective students
You should apply for the GT AE MS or PhD program, with "Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics" among your areas of interest.
If you apply for our MS program, please indicate whether you are interested in completing an MS Thesis.
See the additional guidance on the typical timeline for reaching out earlier on this page.
You can find information about applying here (MS AE) and here (PhD AE).
Current students
If you are already at GT and are considering me as a potential advisor, I assume you are in the MS AE or MS AE DL program (as we do not admit unadvised PhD students). Therefore, you may be interested in a graduate research opportunity connected to AE 8900 or an MS Thesis. These opportunities are not necessarily funded.
I currently only offer AE 8900 projects to students in my group, as a single semester of research is too short for a productive experience. If you are interested in working with our group, you should work with us for at least one semester and take one of my courses before enrolling in AE 8900, unless you already have a relevant background.
If you are interested in an MS Thesis, please reach out via email following the above guidelines. MS Thesis projects require a commitment of at least 3 semesters.
How graduate research works in my group
For students funded by my projects, the research scope will be defined upfront. I am happy to let students pursue their ideas after we meet the original project deadlines.
For students funded through fellowships or employers, I am flexible regarding the research scope, as long as it remains within my area of expertise.
Regardless of the funding source, I work with all students to develop both short- and long-term plans for their academic and research progression. This also includes plans for relevant career-building activities, such as applying for awards and gaining teaching or industry experience.
I regularly meet with graduate students, typically every week or biweekly, depending on current needs and my schedule. These meetings focus on research, academics, and career-building topics. I also regularly interact with students via a dedicated Teams channel and the chat.
Most graduate students in my group complete internships at Government laboratories or industry. I am actively involved in identifying internships that augment the work done during the academic year and align with students' long-term career goals.
I do not anticipate funded openings for postdoctoral researchers in 2026.
Eligible graduating students or postdocs are encouraged to apply for relevant postdoctoral fellowships (see the Mentoring page).
Prerequisite skills
Advanced coding experience in at least one scientific computing language (required)
Expertise in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and supporting subjects (required)
How postdoc research works in my group
Postdoc research will work as for graduate students. The main difference will be in the project's complexity and the expected level of independence.
Visiting researchers are expected to have funding support from their home institution and commit to in-person visits (no virtual visits).
Prerequisites
See the above prerequisites for your career stage.
How research as a visiting scholar works in my group
See the above guidance for your career stage.
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. You are expected to find off-campus housing on your own.
We cannot currently accommodate high-school researchers.