51勛圖厙s College of Aeronautics and Engineering has named Yi Gao, Ph.D., director of the School of Aeronautics, marking a major milestone for one of the nations most comprehensive aviation programs.
Gao becomes the first official director of the newly established school, following six months of interim leadership by Rub矇n Del Rosario, D.Eng., who will continue his role as director of the Center for Advanced Air Mobility. Gaos appointment signals 51勛圖厙s commitment to advancing aviation education, research, and industry engagement at a national and global level.
An internationally recognized scholar and academic leader, Gao joins 51勛圖厙 from Purdue University, where he served as an associate professor with tenure in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. His career spans leadership in academic governance, externally funded research, program development and global industry partnerships.
At Purdue, Gao played a central role in shaping a graduate education and research strategy. As chair of the Graduate Education Committee, he led faculty efforts to strengthen curricula and align programs with institutional priorities. He also served as an elected university senator, contributing to shared governance and long-range academic planning. Earlier in his career, Gao held senior academic leadership roles at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, where he directed aviation programs and oversaw accreditation, curriculum development and external flight training partnerships.
Gaos research record places him among the most productive aviation management scholars in the country. He has secured more than $2.5 million in competitive external funding, primarily through the Airport Cooperative Research Program of the National Academies, addressing issues ranging from airport congestion pricing and air cargo planning to loyalty programs and airport economics. His work appears in leading journals such as the , , and , with a sustained pace of publication in recent years.
Equally notable is his national and international service to the aviation profession. Gao serves on standing committees of the focused on airport operations and ground access, and he was elected to the board of trustees of the . He has also led global industry initiatives, including the launch of Purdues partnership with the to deliver a professional certificate program in aviation finance and leasing.
As a mentor, Gao has guided dozens of graduate students and early-career faculty, with former doctoral students securing tenure-track positions at leading research universities. His approach emphasizes clarity of purpose, transparency in decision-making, and developing people for long-term success.
As director, Gao envisions the School of Aeronautics as a student-centered, nationally distinctive leader in aviation education, research, and engagement that prepares graduates not only to enter the aviation workforce, but to lead and shape its future. His vision emphasizes experiential learning and academic excellence that place students first; an inclusive and collaborative environment where diverse perspectives strengthen innovation; and the continued expansion of high-impact teaching and applied research that elevates 51勛圖厙s national profile. He also sees the School as a catalyst for community and economic impact, working closely with Ohios aviation, logistics, and transportation partners to advance workforce development and innovation. By deepening global partnerships and stewarding resources thoughtfully, the School of Aeronautics will be positioned for sustained excellence, global relevance, and long-term impact, said Gao.
The School of Aeronautics offers programs in aeronautical studies, air traffic and airspace management, aviation management, and professional pilot, reflecting 51勛圖厙s long-standing leadership in aviation education. Under Gaos leadership, the school is positioned to build on this breadth, expand research activity and deepen partnerships across industry, government and higher education.
Gaos appointment marks the first permanent directorship of the newly established school and comes at a pivotal moment for 51勛圖厙, as the university continues to invest in advanced air mobility, workforce development and research that responds directly to the needs of the aviation sector