Georgia Tech has named the second cohort of the Research Leadership Academy (RLA), bringing together 14 faculty members from colleges and units across campus. Selected through a competitive application process, these researchers are recognized for their scholarly achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing bold, collaborative research. The RLA aims to prepare the next generation of research leaders to guide teams, shape institutional priorities, and help chart the future of Georgia Tech's research enterprise.
The new cohort includes:
- Dylan Brewer, Ivan Allen College – Economics
- Steven Ferguson, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
- Stefan France, College of Sciences – Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Koki Ho, College of Engineering – Aerospace Engineering
- Xiao Liu, College of Engineering – Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Akanksha Menon, College of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering
- Pardis Pishdad, College of Design – Building Construction
- Erin Ratcliff, College of Engineering – Materials Science and Engineering
- Agata Rozga, College of Computing – Interactive Computing
- Carsten Sievers, College of Engineering – Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Wenting Sun, College of Engineering – Aerospace Engineering
- Karthikeyan Sundaresan, College of Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Kyriakos Vamvoudakis, College of Engineering – Aerospace Engineering
- Joycelyn Wilson, Ivan Allen College – Literature, Media, and Communication
Together, these faculty span engineering, sciences, computing, design, and the liberal arts, reflecting the broad interdisciplinary spirit of Georgia Tech's research community.
Over the coming months, participants will continue to develop their skills in strategic research leadership through mentorship, hands-on learning, and conversations that cross disciplinary and college lines. Members recently came together for a retreat at Serenbe, where they connected with one another, exchanged ideas, and began building the relationships that will anchor their work throughout the year.