MinerAlert
MinerAlert
The College of Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) announces that recent graduate Emmanuel Vielma has been awarded the 2025 American Society for Composites (ASC) Student Paper Award. This prestigious recognition was presented during The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aerospace Design and Structures (AD&S) Student Paper Competition at the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition Conference, held January 6–10 in Orlando, Florida. As the world’s largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology, the forum provided a distinguished platform to showcase groundbreaking research and innovations in aerospace.
Vielma, who earned his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) from UTEP in December 2024, presented his award-winning paper titled "Low-Velocity Impact Response of IM7/5320-1 Unidirectional Laminates Reinforced with Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes." The research introduces innovative strategies for enhancing composite material performance under extreme conditions. This work aims to address a critical challenge in aerospace and structural engineering by improving the resilience of aerospace materials, with the potential to advance the design and durability of future aircraft and spacecraft.
During his time at UTEP, Vielma conducted research at the College of Engineering’s Aerospace Center, where he contributed to advanced work in manufacturing, testing, characterization, and computational modeling of polymer matrix composites. His research was sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) through a grant from the Minority Leaders Research Collaboration Program.
Emmanuel’s research is a prime example of the great work being conducted at UTEP,” said Shery Welsh, Ph.D., executive director of the Aerospace Center. “His dedication to advancing composite materials research, along with his collaboration with the AFRL, highlights the impactful contributions being made by UTEP students. This recognition demonstrates the university’s unparalleled commitment to empowering and providing students with opportunities that position them as leaders in the aerospace industry.
The ASC Student Paper Award is highly competitive, with past winners coming from globally renowned institutions such as Purdue University, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, and the University of Michigan. These universities have consistently been at the forefront of advancing composites research. Winning this award places Vielma among the leading researchers and students in the field of aerospace engineering.
“Emmanuel’s success is a reflection of the outstanding talent at UTEP and the innovative research happening at our College of Engineering,” said Alejandra Castellanos, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Emmanuel’s research advisor. “His work is a great example of the dedication and curiosity that drives our students to solve complex challenges and make meaningful contributions to the field of aerospace engineering.”
The recognition of Vielma’s work at the AIAA SciTech Forum highlights UTEP’s commitment to fostering student success and global impact. Through cutting-edge research opportunities and faculty mentorship, UTEP empowers students to reach new heights in their academic and professional pursuits. “I am incredibly honored to have my work recognized at the AIAA SciTech Forum,” said Vielma. “This achievement is a result of the incredible support and resources available at UTEP. Being able to present my research at such a prestigious event and represent my university on a global stage is truly inspiring.”
The 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum, with the theme “Energize the Future,” brought together over 6,000 attendees from 45 countries and featured nearly 3,000 technical presentations. The event showcased breakthrough science, revolutionary technologies, and next-generation capabilities that are shaping the future of aerospace and defense industries.
Vielma’s award highlights not only his individual achievements but also reinforces UTEP’s growing role as a leader in aerospace research and innovation. His success demonstrates the strength of UTEP’s aerospace program and its commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders in the industry.