Dr. Davide Viganò, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Young Professional Award by the St. Louis Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
The AIAA Young Professional Award recognizes early-career engineers and scientists for outstanding technical accomplishments in aerospace disciplines. Dr. Viganò received the award specifically for his leadership in re-establishing Missouri S&T’s experimental high-speed aerodynamics research capabilities.
As noted in his nomination, “Dr. Viganò has led a major effort to redesign and bring online the university’s supersonic wind tunnel — a Mach 3, high-Reynolds-number facility enabling the study of complex compressible flows. In parallel, he designed and developed two advanced diagnostics: a tomographic particle image velocimetry (Tomo-PIV) system that provides volumetric velocity data, and a two-point focused laser differential interferometry (2-FLDI) system capable of measuring both velocity and density gradients simultaneously.”
Dr. Viganò leads Missouri S&T’s Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, where he and his students have revitalized the university’s historic 1968 supersonic wind tunnel. Under his guidance, the facility has been upgraded to support cutting-edge hypersonic research, including experiments on compressible turbulence and advanced laser-based diagnostics.
“Our students and staff transformed what was once an instructional tool into a world-class research facility,” said Dr. Viganò. “This tunnel provides invaluable opportunities to study phenomena at extreme speeds and offers hands-on experience for students interested in the aerospace field.”
Notably, Dr. Bruce Selberg, who originally built the supersonic wind tunnel, received the same AIAA Young Professional Award in 1970 for his pioneering work. Dr. Viganò’s recognition continues this legacy of excellence in aerospace research at Missouri S&T.
Dr. Viganò will be honored at the AIAA St. Louis Section Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 22, at Orlando’s in Maryland Heights, Missouri. He will be joined by his nominator, Dr. Serhat Hosder, and other regional award recipients for the celebration.