Students Take Top Spots at AIAA Region III Student Conference

AIAA Region III Student Conference Attending Students

Earlier this month, 15 University of Maryland (UMD) aerospace engineering students traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio this month to participate in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) Region III Student Conference.

Hosted at the University of Cincinnati April 4 and 5, the conference gave students an opportunity to not only present their research in a formal technical meeting atmosphere, but to also network with peers to exchange ideas and discuss programs at other schools.

In addition, three of the attending Maryland students took top spots for outstanding research in the undergraduate paper category.

First place: Rowan Quintero (bottom photo, center)
“Velocity Characterization of a Newly Commissioned Hypersonic Ludweig Tube Using Fleet”
Research mentor: Professor Stuart Laurence

Second place: Ryan Jones (bottom photo, right)
“Free-Flight Testing of Ogive Flare Geometry in Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
Research mentor: Professor Stuart Laurence

Third Place: Romeo Perlstein (bottom photo, left)
“Continued Development and Validation of an Exoskeleton Focused Immersive Teleoperation Interface”
Research mentors: Dr. Craig Carignan and Professor David Akin

AIAA Region III Student Conference Winners

“All of the research efforts presented by UMD undergraduates showed creativity and passion for innovation and new knowledge,” said Norman Wereley, professor and past department chair, who attended the event. “I want to congratulate all of the UMD students who presented at the conference!”  

Learn more about AIAA Regional Student Conferences.

Published April 10, 2025