Isabelle Sanz, a doctoral student in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has received a 2026 Amelia Earhart Fellowship by Zonta International.
The fellowship, named in honor of the legendary pilot Amelia Earhart, recognizes women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace-related science and engineering and supports the emerging leaders advancing aerospace research and innovation. As a recipient, Sanz will receive $10,000 in financial support and a one-year supporting membership in Zonta International.
For Sanz, the fellowship provides funding and professional recognition as she works towards her long-term academic and career goals. It also connects her with a global network of professionals committed to advancing aerospace science and technology.
Originally from Huntersville, North Carolina, Sanz earned her Bachelor of Science in Engineering in mechanical engineering from Duke University. She chose to pursue graduate studies at Georgia Tech because of its strengths in aeroelasticity research and opportunities to work across disciplines.
Isabelle Sanz
Receiving this fellowship is truly a special and encouraging recognition as a woman in aerospace engineering. This award inspires me to continue advancing new approaches to aeroelastic design for aerospace vehicles and to uplift other women in the field.
Isabelle Sanz
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"Georgia Tech stood out as an institution where I could pursue my research interests at the intersection of aeroelasticity, applied mathematics, and engineering design," Sanz said.
Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Cristina Riso, Sanz develops computational methods to account for how flexible flight structures dynamically interact with aerodynamic forces earlier in their design phase. Her research could help engineers design vehicles with enhanced performance while ensuring safety and reliability and reducing development time and costs.
Sanz said her interest in aerospace engineering is rooted in personal experience.
"As a child of immigrants, having dependable, long-lasting access to air transportation was and remains a crucial means of staying linked with my family globally," she said. "With safe, reliable, and affordable air transportation able to quickly connect me with my loved ones, I was inspired to pursue a career in aerospace engineering."
In addition to her research, she is actively involved in the aerospace community. She serves as vice president of the Vertical Flight Society chapter at Georgia Tech and is a member of the Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics chapter at Georgia Tech, where she previously served as a graduate mentor.
She credits Georgia Tech's academic environment and student organizations with helping her grow as a researcher and leader.
"Georgia Tech's unique coursework in aeroelasticity and its active student groups, such as the Vertical Flight Society and Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics student chapters, have provided me with both the education and communities necessary to develop as a doctoral researcher," Sanz said.
For Sanz, receiving the fellowship is both an honor and a source of motivation. It represents an opportunity to continue developing innovative approaches to aerospace vehicle design while contributing to a more inclusive future for the field.