The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has named three Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University faculty members to its 2027 Class of Associate Fellows — a designation recognizing significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace profession.

It marks the fourth year in a row that AIAA, the world’s largest aerospace professional society, has named at least three Embry-Riddle faculty members to the rank of associate fellow. The three honorees named to the 2027 class are Drs. Mark Ricklick, Ebenezer P. Gnanamanickam and Scott M. Martin, who are all faculty members in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.  

AIAA associate fellows are recognized for “important engineering or scientific work,” “original work of outstanding merit,” or “outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics,” the organization said in its announcement of the 2027 class.

“Congratulations to our newest associate fellows,” said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. “Their distinction not only recognizes their significant impact on the aerospace field but reflects the exceptional talent among Embry-Riddle’s Aerospace Engineering faculty.”

Innovating Thermal Management in Jet Propulsion

Ricklick, who joined Embry-Riddle in 2014, was cited for his “contributions to the field of thermal management in jet propulsion and energy systems.” His work includes developing innovative heat-transfer designs and technologies for jet engines, hybrid-electric propulsion systems and hypersonics. His research has resulted in 19 journal articles and 85 conference papers, with more than 600 citations.

“I'm honored to receive this recognition, and I thank the ongoing support of my nominator, Dr. Tasos Lyrintzis, as well as those that supported my nomination,” he said.

To date, Ricklick has served as an investigator on externally funded projects totaling more than $6.2 million. He directs the Gas Turbine Laboratory and serves as coordinator for the Aerospace Engineering master’s program, which has more than 100 students enrolled.

AIAA also recognized Ricklick for his teaching. He places particular “emphasis on producing quality engineers for the workforce,” his nomination letter noted.

Advancing Turbulent Flows Research

AIAA honored Gnanamanickam for “contributions advancing the understanding of turbulent flows and their control, and for developing experimental facilities and measurement techniques for aerospace research and education.” 

Gnanamanickam, who joined Embry-Riddle in 2013 and was promoted to full professor in 2026, said his research “focuses on understanding the interactions within turbulent flows with the goal of both elucidating physics, as well as controlling these flows for engineering benefit.” 

He has served as an investigator on externally funded projects totaling $3.25 million. This includes an Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program (AFOSR YIP) award and multiple Defense University Research Instrumentation Program grants. 

Gnanamanickam has also advised six students who earned their doctorates and 10 who earned their master’s degrees. He currently advises three Ph.D. students and one master’s student. He has also mentored more than 15 undergraduates in research.

“Recognitions like these happen because of the generosity of God and the people both past and present in my life, especially my wife, children, parents, mentors, students and colleagues,” he said. “I hope, as I grow as an educator and person, I can pass along that generosity to my students and the people around me.’' 

Improving Combustion Models for Optimized Propulsion

AIAA recognized Martin for over three decades of research on combustion and propellants, including developing improved combustion models and using them to develop optimized propulsion and power systems. He has applied these models to power plant combustors, rocket exhaust plume predictions, scramjets (supersonic combustion ramjet) and rotating detonation engines.

Martin has taught undergraduate and graduate combustion- and propulsion-related courses. He is also the co-owner of a small business focused on combustion and propulsion, and he holds six combustor-related patents.

Before joining Embry-Riddle, Martin worked as a combustion scientist at Siemens Energy. He also held industry positions with Ford and Boeing.

“I joined the AIAA over 40 years ago as a student and am very excited to become an associate fellow,” he said.

AIAA counts nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, as well as 95 corporate members. New associate fellows must be AIAA senior members in good standing, with at least 12 years of professional experience, and be recommended by three AIAA members.

“This distinguished group has advanced the state of science and technology in aeronautics and astronautics, breaking some of our industry’s most challenging barriers along the way,” said AIAA President Keoki Jackson. “Their sustained excellence and technical leadership reflect the caliber of talent shaping the future of aerospace. We are proud to recognize their achievements and their impact on aerospace.”

Embry‑Riddle’s three new associate fellows will be honored at a Jan. 13 ceremony to take place during the 2027 AIAA SciTech Forum in Orlando, Florida.