Turkish aerospace engineer Gokcin Cinar becomes first to win Lawrence Sperry Award
Gokcin Cinar, Assistant Professor at Michigan University, has contributed to research projects with NASA, Airbus, and Boeing. She is currently a Research Engineer at Georgia Institute of Technology. (Photo via X)
Gokcin Cinar, a distinguished researcher and Assistant Professor from Michigan University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, has won the 2025 AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award, considered the most prestigious honor for individuals under the age of 35 in the aerospace industry.
This milestone makes Cinar the first Turkish recipient of this highly regarded award.
A groundbreaking contribution to future of hybrid electric aircraft
At 34 years old, Gokcin Cinar is leading the way in hybrid-electric aircraft technology. After completing her undergraduate degree at METU (Middle East Technical University) in Aerospace Engineering, he went on to earn her PhD at Georgia Tech in the United States. Her work focuses on the development and application of hybrid electric systems in aircraft, with an eye toward the aviation technologies of 2050.
In 2022, Cinar received funding from NASA on two occasions to support her research on integrating hybrid electric systems into aviation. He has also developed a software tool called FAST-Future Aircraft Sizing Tool, designed to assist in the design of next-generation aircraft.
Prestigious Lawrence Sperry Award: A career milestone
The Lawrence Sperry Award, which will be presented at a gala in Washington D.C. on April 30, is one of the highest honors awarded by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). This award is given annually to one individual under the age of 35 who has made a significant contribution to the fields of aerospace and aviation. Importantly, the award is not limited to engineers or academics but is open to anyone who has contributed meaningfully to the industry.
Cinar’s nomination was proposed by a former colleague at Michigan University, recognizing her groundbreaking work on electric aircraft systems. The award is named in honor of Lawrence Sperry, a pioneer in aviation who designed the first autopilot system for aircraft in 1912. Since 1936, the Lawrence Sperry Award has been presented annually, and Cinar is the first Turkish recipient.
Cinar’s vision for future of aviation: Cost-effective and safe
With a goal of reducing emissions while enhancing performance, Cinar is dedicated to creating aircraft that are not only high-performing and low-emission but also cost-effective. Her recent projects have focused on future aircraft designs that incorporate multiple electric motors instead of the conventional two-engine configuration seen in commercial airplanes today.
Her vision is for aircraft to feature 8-10 electric motors, providing enhanced safety and more efficient performance. This development will be critical in shaping the future of aviation, especially as demand for environmentally-friendly technologies grows.
Lifelong passion for aviation and space
Upon hearing the news of her award, Cinar expressed her excitement, recalling her lifelong fascination with aviation and space. “Since my childhood, I have been captivated by aviation. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s famous quote, ‘The future is in the skies,’ has always guided me. From building wooden airplanes as a child to reaching this point in my career, I am deeply happy and proud to have come this far.”
As part of her ongoing research, Cinar has been working on projects that aim to revolutionize the aviation industry. One of her key objectives is to reduce emissions while improving the performance and cost-efficiency of future aircraft.
