Dr. Davide Viganò, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was 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. Viganò received the award specifically for his leadership in re-establishing Missouri S&T’s experimental high-speed aerodynamics research capabilities.

Viganò leads 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.​

Viganò will be honored at the AIAA St. Louis Section awards banquet on Thursday, May 22, in Maryland Heights, Missouri.