Mechanical and aerospace graduate student earns national recognition for UAS weather research

Mechanical and aerospace graduate student earns national recognition for UAS weather research 

Monday, February 23, 2026

Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | [email protected]

Eduardo Michel, a master's student in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University, earned third place in the student presentation competition at the 26th Aviation, Range and Aerospace Meteorology Conference during the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting.  

Michel is the first student from the Aircraft and Atmospheric Interactions Research Laboratory (A2IRLab) to win an award, marking a milestone for the lab and his advisor: Dr. Gustavo B. H. de Azevedo, research assistant professor in the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, with an interdisciplinary affiliation in MAE. 

As the use of unmanned aerial systems for atmospheric observations increases, differences in UAS design can affect the comparability of measurements across systems. His research focuses on improving the accuracy of weather-sensing UAS used to measure conditions in the lower atmosphere.  

"In our work, presented at ARAM, we looked at flight data and computer simulations to examine how several UAS design features influence measurements and which characteristics may improve observation accuracy," Michel said.  

"Measurement comparability across different weather-sensing UAS could significantly expand available data about the lower atmosphere. This region is particularly important for aviation, as all aircraft pass through it during takeoff and landing." 

Michel credited the success of his presentation to the way he structured his research story.  

"My advisor, Dr. de Azevedo, taught me that every slide and idea needs to be properly linked to guide the reader or attendee through the story we are telling in our research," Michel said. 

A judge on the ARAM committee described Michel's presentation as interesting and well-organized, noting the strong visuals used to illustrate complex instrument sensitivity. 

Michel said that de Azevedo consistently turns everyday discussions into learning opportunities, and he credits that mentorship for much of his growth. 

"I've learned a lot about the proper way to do research, critical thinking and communicating my ideas," Michel said. "Who would've thought that writing about research was this hard?" 

Years after earning the same honor as a doctoral student, de Azevedo now watched his own student step onto that stage. Michel's placement represents more than a single award; it highlights the continuity of mentorship and the culture of excellence within MAE. 

"Students like me are equipped to do this work because of the foundation we build in the department," Michel said. "What we learn in class, along with administrators who are always ready to help and faculty who are open to questions, makes a big difference." 

Michel's path to aerospace engineering was not always clear. As a child, he imagined following in his parents' footsteps into medicine. But a love for building and taking apart machines, along with encouragement from a high school physics teacher, shifted his trajectory. 

Now, as the first A2IRLab student to earn recognition at ARAM, Michel's achievement underscores that he is on the right path and that the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology is an ideal environment to foster the development of a strong researcher.