Mechanical Engineering Professor Elected AIAA Associate Fellow
AIAA recognizes Dr. Liang Sun for extraordinary work to advance science and technology in aeronautics and astronautics
Liang Sun, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering and 2026 AIAA Associate Fellow (Matthew Minard/Baylor University)
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Liang Sun, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering at Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, has been elected as a Class of 2026 Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace technical society. He will be inducted during AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 in January.
The grade of Associate Fellow recognizes individuals “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or who have done original work of outstanding merit, or who have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.” To be selected as an Associate Fellow an individual must be an AIAA Senior Member in good standing, with at least 12 years of professional experience, and be recommended by three AIAA members.
“As someone who has devoted my career to aeronautics and astronautics, being named an AIAA Associate Fellow is both humbling and energizing. It affirms the impact of our work in autonomous systems, advanced air mobility and safe, intelligent flight, and raises the bar for what comes next,” Sun said. “At Baylor, this recognition translates into tangible opportunities for students: hands-on research, strong industry partnerships and a clear pathway through ECS’s new aerospace engineering degree. Through the launch of our AIAA Student Chapter, we’re cultivating a community that unites technical excellence with servant leadership, reflecting Baylor’s Christian mission to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service. Together, we’re preparing the next generation of innovators to advance aerospace with skill, integrity and purpose.”
In February, the Baylor Board of Regents addressed one of the priority growth areas under the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan – as well as the growing demand for aerospace engineers in Texas – by approving the Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The addition of this degree program reflects the significant aerospace industry not only in Texas, but in the Waco area with L3Harris and SpaceX having major facilities locally that are positioned to provide hands-on learning and research opportunities for students. Sun teaches classes in aerospace engineering while also continuing to conduct high-level research.
“This recognition for Dr. Sun is well deserved, as he brings in a wealth of teaching and advising experience with highly active research credentials in aerospace engineering,” said Paul Ro, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “He currently serves as the founding faculty advisor for a student chapter of AIAA at Baylor, and he is committed to upholding the Baylor mission of providing academic excellence with Christian mission to his students in classroom and research lab.”
Sun joined the mechanical engineering faculty in 2024 as a tenured associate professor. Prior to Baylor, he was an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at New Mexico State University. Sun’s research focuses on autonomous systems, multi-agent robotics, advanced air mobility (AAM) and energy-aware operations. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy, Toyota Research Institute of North America, Sandia National Laboratories and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium.
Sun is director of the Advanced Vehicle Intelligence and Autonomy (AVIA) Laboratory, located in the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC), which focuses on research that develops technologies to enhance the efficiency, safety and adaptability of autonomous intelligent systems found in aerospace and ground vehicles. Much of his work is in AAM, which opens the airspace for more flexible, on-demand services, such as air taxis, in both urban and rural areas. Other applications include small package delivery drones and sustainable energy production. He also is lead researcher for NASA’s University Leadership Initiative, a $6 million, three-year program to study the technical challenges in infrastructure planning for AAM, bringing together multi-institutional, national laboratory and industry partners.
In addition to his election as AIAA Associate Fellow, Sun is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Since 2015, he has served as an associate editor of the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems.
“Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2026 Associate Fellows,” said AIAA President Dan Hastings. “This distinguished group of professionals has performed extraordinary work and advanced the state of science and technology in aeronautics and astronautics. They exemplify a dedication to excellence in their specific technical disciplines. We are proud of their achievements as they shape the future of aerospace.”
ABOUT AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor ECS is advancing as a premier School of Engineering and Computer Science in research and education with a commitment to Christian values. Majors include aerospace engineering, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical and computer engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. ECS offers a number of graduate and PhD programs, such as biomedical engineering, online computer science, and interdisciplinary degrees in materials science and engineering. We also offer graduate professional certificates. ECS stands out from the crowd through Christian commitment, R1 research, a caring community, personalized career support, expert faculty, and leading practical experience. Visit the ECS website to learn more and follow on Instagram and Facebook.