Six Embry-Riddle Students Honored at Aviation Week Laureates, Visit NASA Headquarters

Four Embry-Riddle students stand on stage at Aviation Week Network’s 68th Annual Laureate Awards
Four of six Embry-Riddle students selected as Aviation Week 20 Twenties honorees come to the stage at Aviation Week Network’s 68th Annual Laureate Awards event in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Embry-Riddle)

Sarah Barczyk /

Mar 20, 2026, 10:44 AM

A record six Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University students were recognized as Aviation Week 20 Twenties honorees at Aviation Week Network events this week in Washington, D.C. The students also toured NASA headquarters and met with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, an Embry-Riddle alumnus.

The six students were celebrated March 19 at a luncheon and at Aviation Week Network’s 68th Annual Laureate Awards, which brought together industry leaders to honor achievements across aviation, aerospace and defense.

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler stands with six students honored at at Aviation Week Network’s 68th Annual Laureate Awards
At Aviation Week Network’s 68th Annual Laureate Awards, Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler joins the university’s six Aviation Week 20 Twenties honorees — the largest group from a single university in the program’s history. (Photo: Embry-Riddle)

Established in 2013, the 20 Twenties program identifies top aerospace-bound university students. Honorees are selected based on their academic record, the value of their research and design projects, their ability to overcome personal struggles and their record of giving back to their communities.

The 20-member Class of 2026 included Embry-Riddle students Daniella Bezuidenhout, Emanuele Bossi, Natalie Brattain, Skylar Butler, Grace Gratton and Spoorti Nanjamma.

With six honorees, Embry-Riddle had the largest group of students from a single university in the program's history.

“Year after year, students from Embry-Riddle make the 20 Twenties list,” said Aviation Week Editorial Director Joe Anselmo. “It demonstrates both the depth of talent at Embry-Riddle and the program’s role in spotlighting emerging leaders who will advance aerospace innovation.”

Behind the Scenes at NASA Headquarters

While in D.C., the students had the unique opportunity to tour NASA’s headquarters and then to sit down with Isaacman, who was sworn in as NASA’s 15th administrator last year. Isaacman, who graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics in 2011, encouraged them to pursue what once seemed impossible in an aerospace field poised for exploration and transformation.

“It’s a great time to be in this industry as an Embry-Riddle Eagle,” he said.

Prior to becoming NASA administrator, Isaacman served as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission, during which he performed the first commercial spacewalk on Sept. 12, 2024. The capsule that carried Isaacman and his crew also contained the Embry-Riddle-built LLAMAS multi-camera system. The system captured video of crew operations during the expedition to later create virtual reality experiences. Isaacman also commanded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021 with fellow Embry-Riddle alumnus Chris Sembroski.

Isaacman said that his time at Embry-Riddle, combined with his personal pursuits, taught him that the opportunities in aviation and aerospace are limitless.

“Embry-Riddle helped push me, and I’m excited for the promise in every fellow-Eagle student,” he said. “They are the next generation of builders, explorers and leaders, and the world is counting on them to keep reaching across the skies and beyond the stars,” Isaacman said.

Solving Industry Challenges

Working on everything from rotor noise prediction and astronaut health biosensors to multi‑agent algorithms and CubeSat systems, the six Embry-Riddle honorees are addressing a range of industry priorities, including quieter aircraft, resilient autonomous systems and human health in space.

“This recognition and opportunity reflect the exceptional personal and professional talents and commitments of our students and underscore the university’s mission to prepare the next generation of aerospace leaders,” said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. “Their research and resilience additionally demonstrate how investment in mentorship and experiential learning translates directly into industry impact.”

Butler also expressed his appreciation to Aviation Week and to Isaacman for their influence and “for their ongoing support of Embry-Riddle students during this time of remarkable transformation and opportunity.”

Embry-Riddle Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Kelly Austin underscored that hands-on, practical learning is fundamental to equipping students with the experience necessary for their success.

“Our accomplished cohort of 20 Twenties honorees exemplifies how rigorous academics, faculty mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaboration produce innovations that industry needs while launching careers that will shape the future of aviation and aerospace,” Austin said.