Reid Berdanier named 2026 AIAA Associate Fellow
Oct 13, 2025
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Reid Berdanier, associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Laboratory, has been elected to the 2026 Class of Associate Fellows of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a professional recognition in the aerospace field.
The AIAA Associate Fellow honor is bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. Selection requires nomination by three current AIAA Associate Fellows and approval by the Institute, with only one in 150 voting members chosen each year.
Berdanier’s research and teaching focus on gas turbine engine technologies, including novel experimental techniques for turbomachinery applications and advancement of turbine cooling technologies. His work contributes to both academic advancement and practical applications in aeronautics and defense, aligning with AIAA’s mission to advance engineering and science in aviation.
Berdanier joins a group of scientists, engineers and researchers from institutions around the world, including NASA centers, universities and major aerospace corporations. The Class of 2026 will be formally recognized during the AIAA SciTech Forum on Jan. 14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
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Reid A. Berdanier, associate professor at The Pennsylvania State University, poses for a headshot. Credit: College of Engineering directory
