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From Student Projects to the International Stage: Aerospace Teams Shine at ICMAE 2026

19 July 2026

The Operational Modal Analysis and Wing Vibration measurements teams presenting their findings
The Operational Modal Analysis and Wing Vibration measurements teams presenting their findings
Representative results from the two projects: SSI-data stabilisation for the operation modal analysis and finite element modelling of wing deformation.
Representative results from the two projects: SSI-data stabilisation for the operation modal analysis and finite element modelling of wing deformation.

Two teams of the School’s MEng and BEng Aerospace Engineering students presented their research at the 17th IEEE International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (ICMAE 2026), hosted at Queen Mary University of London from 15–18 July.

MEng students Emmanuel Airiofolo, Hardit Saini, Anuhya Kotakadi and Dahir Moallim presented a low-cost approach to measuring wing vibrations using LiDAR and a reduced number of accelerometers. They were supervised by Dr Fariborz Motallebi and Dr Eldad Avital. BEng and MEng students Denis Kuropatkin, Sam Al-Jaboby, Jigarjot Natt and Arrin Fernandes presented research on Operational Modal Analysis for future active flutter suppression, with the PhD student Raima Rahman also contributing as a co-author. They were supervised by Dr Ranjan Vepa and Dr Eldad Avital. Both projects were supported by Airbus Defence and Space.

Their achievement demonstrates how SEMS students can transform university projects into industry-supported research and present their findings on an international stage, at a conference where the paper acceptance rate was below 60%. It also reflects the exciting opportunities available at Queen Mary for students to work with academic and industrial experts on real aerospace engineering challenges. These types of projects and opportunities will continue to be offered to our students in the coming years.

People:Eldad AVITAL Ranjan VEPA Fariborz MOTALLEBI
Research Centre:Intelligent Transport