WASHINGTON — The Transportation Research Board (TRB) announced today the winners of its annual Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Graduate Research Awards. The prestigious awards focus on applied research on airport and related aviation system issues to help the public sector continue to improve the quality, reliability, safety, and security of the U.S. civil aviation system.  

ACRP Graduate Research Awards stimulate thought, discussion, and research by those who will become part of the future airport industry workforce. This year’s 11 graduate student awardees represent eight universities from across the U.S. Their research focuses on a wide variety of topics including pavements, baggage handling, cybersecurity, runway incursion prevention systems, airport arts programs, and airport noise.  

Each awardee receives a $12,000 stipend as well as the opportunity to present their work at TRB’s 2025 Annual Meeting, and the possibility to have their final research paper published in TRB’s journal, Transportation Research Record. Awardees are also assigned a panel of experts to advise them throughout their research. 

The 2023-2024 recipients of the ACRP Graduate Research Awards are:  

Yusra Alhadidi, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, majoring in civil and environmental engineering. Her paper is titled “Opting Non-recyclable Plastics as Modifier into Flexible Airfield Pavement.” Imad Al-Qadi is her faculty mentor. 

Navya Annapareddy, a doctoral student at the University of Virginia majoring in data science. Her paper is titled “Utilizing Pose Estimation for Ergonomic Risk Analysis for Baggage Handling.” Stephen Baek is her faculty mentor. 

Akash Bajaj, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, majoring in civil engineering. His paper is titled “Prediction of Cracking Potential of Airfield Asphalt Pavements.” Imad Al-Qadi is his faculty mentor. 

Hong-Cheol Choi, a doctoral student at Purdue University majoring in aerospace engineering. His paper is titled “Detection and Mitigation of Cyberattacks on ADS-B Data for Air Traffic Control.” Inseok Hwang is his faculty mentor. 

Luigi Raphael Dy, a doctoral student at Purdue University majoring in technology. His paper is titled “Developing an Affordable Runway Incursion Prevention System.” John Mott is his faculty mentor. 

Daniel (Mac) Lang, a master’s student at Ohio State University majoring in city and regional planning. His paper is titled “Curating an Inclusive Journey: Examining Institutional Strategies for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Airport Arts.” Amber Woodburn McNair is his faculty mentor. 

Bhaskar Mukherjee, a doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University majoring in aerospace engineering. His paper is titled “Impact of AAM Operations on Airport Noise.” Kenneth Brentner is his faculty mentor. 

Adebimpe Rasak-Usman, a master’s student at American University majoring in environmental science. Her paper is titled “The Impact of Airport Activity on Local Air Quality.” Valentina Aquila is her faculty mentor. 

Jackson Stewart, a master’s student at University of Louisville Speed School majoring in civil engineering. His paper is titled “Sustainable Deicing Method for Airport Pavement.” Omid Ghasemi Fare is his faculty mentor. 

Atul Subedi, a doctoral student at Utah State University majoring in civil and environmental engineering. His paper is titled “Feasibility and Potential of Electric Air Taxis for Long-Distance Airport Access/Egress Trips.” Patrick A. Singleton is his faculty mentor. 

Abhilash Vyas, a doctoral student at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, majoring in civil engineering. His paper is titled “Balanced Mix Design Framework for Designing Airfield Pavements incorporating Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements.” Ramez M. Hajj is his faculty mentor. 

Now in its 17th year, the program is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration and managed by the TRB, and the competition is managed on behalf of the TRB by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium based in Hampton, Virginia. 

The Airport Cooperative Research Program is an industry-driven, applied research program that develops near-term, practical solutions to airport challenges. ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board, which is a program unit of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. The National Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.  

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