Abolfazl Simorgh, alumnus of the Aerospace Engineering PhD program, has been awarded 1st place in the Applied Technology Category of the latest edition of the Scientific Research and Technology Margarita Salas Awards. The awards, granted by the Madrid City Council, recognize the best and most impactful PhD theses defended across the Community of Madrid.
About the Scientific Work
Abolfazl’s PhD thesis, supervised by Professor Manuel Soler Arnedo and titled “Robust Aircraft Trajectory Optimization and Climate Change”, develops new methodologies for designing flight routes that reduce aviation’s climate impact, accounting for weather forecast uncertainty and the various factors contributing to global warming. His results demonstrate that it is possible to significantly decrease the climate footprint of flights through selective operational adjustments at a low cost for airlines, providing actionable tools for sustainable air transport management.
About the Margarita Salas Awards
The Scientific Research and Technology Margarita Salas Awards are an annual initiative organized by the Madrid City Council to promote scientific excellence, innovation, and technological transfer within the region. Established in honor of the renowned scientist Margarita Salas, the awards recognize outstanding PhD theses defended at universities in the Community of Madrid across three primary categories: Basic Sciences, Life Sciences, and Applied Technology. By granting financial prizes to doctoral graduates whose work demonstrates high scientific rigor and potential societal impact, the initiative serves as a major benchmark for empowering emerging research talent and bridging the gap between academic research and the public.
