Assistant Professor Phillip J. Ansell has been selected to receive the College of Engineering Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research for his work in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois.

Although still very early in his career as an assistant professor, Ansell has already established a vibrant and well-supported research group. He has brought in over $2.5 million of external funding for his research from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, industry, and even private corporations and individuals.

Ansell’s research interests include the detailed experimental study of complex, unsteady flow interactions about aerodynamic geometries and the development of novel aerodynamic solutions for flight vehicle technology. He currently supports 10 graduate students in his research group who conduct various types of ground and flight experiments centralized at the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, a facility Ansell co-directs with a senior faculty member in AE.

“Alongside his existing research programs, Phil has established himself as a leader in his professional community and in new emerging areas,” said Philippe Geubelle, Executive Associate Dean for the College of Engineering, Bliss professor and former head of the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering. “His service through the AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Technical Committee and the organization of the first annual AIAA/IEEE Electric Aircraft Technologies Symposium have put the University of Illinois at the forefront of research in aircraft aerodynamics and the booming field of electric aircraft propulsion.”

In his first year on the AE faculty, Ansell received an AFOSR Young Investigator Award. The following year, he was recognized on the Forbes List of 30 Under 30 in the science category, and the third year, an ARO Young Investigator Award.

Ansell also has an impressive publication record. In the past year alone, he has had 10 manuscripts published or approved for publication in peer-reviewed archival journals. These papers have largely been published in the AIAA Journal and the Journal of Aircraft, both of which are hosted by AIAA, the premier professional society for aerospace engineering.

Ansell received his bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 2008. He completed his master’s degree in 2010 and doctorate in 2013, both at the University of Illinois. He held position as a postdoctoral research associate in the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering in 2014 before joining the faculty in 2015 as an assistant professor.