Aerospace engineering faculty members rank in top 2% of authors worldwide
In an October 2023 Stanford University study, three San Diego State University aerospace engineering faculty members ― professors Ping Lu, Luciano Demasi, and Joseph Katz ― ranked in the top 2% of aerospace and aeronautics authors worldwide.
“It’s built on decades of hard work,” said Lu. “We have a long tradition in conducting really top-notch scholarly research and educating our students with a very solid, well-rounded aerospace education for fifty years or so.”
The publication outlines two lists in the categories of single year and career-long impact, based on the number of times their publications are cited by other researchers:
Top 2% Aerospace Authors based on Single-Year Impact in 2022:
- Ping Lu (No.9)
- Luciano Demasi (No. 218)
- Joseph Katz (No. 384)
Top 2% Aerospace Authors based on Career-Long Impact:
- Ping Lu (No. 24)
- Luciano Demasi (No. 166)
- Joseph Katz (No. 304)
The comprehensive database is put together annually and the selection is based off of the top 100,000 scientists in the subfield.
Demasi credits the longstanding educational model at SDSU that values both teaching and research.
"This is what brings it full circle for the professors and what makes SDSU’s program distinct," Demasi said. “I think my education greatly impacted my career because I had a very rigorous program and curriculum. Another important factor was my experience in the University of Washington, where I was exposed to different disciplines.”
Established in 1961, the College of Engineering offered a focus in aerospace from the very beginning. The department has grown significantly over the past six decades.
In 2023, aerospace alumna Christine Probett, (‘85, ‘87, ‘97) a student of Katz’s when he was first hired, established the C&C Probett Excellence in Aerospace Endowed Fund for Senior Design Projects.
The fund will help advance student success, encouraging a well-rounded education that prepares them for industry.
Katz believes the experience of the faculty members in the aerospace department are what sets it apart. “We had a very close collaboration with Northrop Grumman and I was the chair for 13 years,” he said.
Through their extensive aerospace and academic careers, the department faculty prepare students for industry by familiarizing them with common terminology, best practices, presentation skills, and hands-on project experience.
“You have to really love what you do and you have a passion for this particular area that you’re working on, and everything else really comes naturally,” said Lu.
