AIAA, Aviation Week Name Kumar a Future Engineering Leader

A tip from the AIAA and Aviation Week: keep an eye on Rubbel Kumar.

Kumar, a Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory aerodynamicist and part-time aerospace engineering graduate student at the University of Maryland, was recently named one of “Tomorrow’s Engineering Leaders: The 20 Twenties.” The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Aviation Week collaborate with universities to compile the annual list of top science, technology, engineering and math undergraduate and graduate students, looking to connect the next generation of aerospace and defense talent with established innovators and leaders.

“Each of these outstanding students, from around the world, is making significant contributions to their fields of study — ranging from electric propulsion to hypersonics to autonomous vehicles — as well as working to make the world a better place,” Sandy Magnus, AIAA executive director, said in a news release. “Their research is shaping not only the future of aerospace, but the future of humanity, and each is uniquely worthy of our praise and this honor.”

After four summers as an intern, Kumar joined APL full time in September 2014. In APL’s Force Projection Sector, Kumar conducts computational fluid dynamics simulations, develops aerodynamic vehicle models and participates in wind-tunnel testing. In addition to his day job, Kumar serves as a mentor in the ASPIRE and the APL college summer internship programs, represents the sector in the staff orientation program, and volunteers for several STEM outreach activities. He was also recently tapped to participate in the Loyola University and Howard County Leadership Essentials program.

Kumar and other award winners were honored recently during a luncheon as well as at Aviation Week’s 60th Annual Laureates Awards on March 2 at the National Building Museum in Washington.

Read more about the “20 Twenties” on the Aviation Week website.