Cristina Riso
Dr. Cristina Riso joined the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology as an Assistant Professor in January 2022. Her Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Research Laboratory investigates dynamic aeroelastic phenomena in next-generation aerospace vehicles using new computational models and analysis methods. Dr. Riso came to Georgia Tech from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. At Michigan, she was a Research Fellow in the Airbus-Michigan Center for Aero-Servo-Elasticity of Very Flexible Aircraft and the Active Aeroelasticity and Structures Research Laboratory. She earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Sapienza University of Rome. Dr. Riso serves on the AIAA Structural Dynamics Technical Committee, the AIAA Publications Committee, and as the Deputy Chair of the VFS Dynamics Technical Committee. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Aircraft and a member of the AIAA Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop Large Deflection Working Group.
Professor Riso's teaching focuses on structural dynamics and aeroelasticity. At the undergraduate level, she teaches a senior elective course on structural dynamics and aeroelasticity (AE 4220). At the graduate level, she teaches courses on structural dynamics (AE 6230), fixed-wing aeroelasticity (AE 6200), and rotary-wing aeroelasticity (AE 6220). Her instruction emphasizes a rigorous theoretical foundation combined with physical intuition and practical problem-solving skills.
Professor Riso's research investigates dynamic aeroelastic phenomena in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft using new computational models and analysis methods. Her research aims to advance the fundamental understanding of the aeroelastic physics of new air vehicle configurations and support their design. Current focus areas include: (i) modeling, analysis, and simulation of nonlinear aeroelastic systems; (ii) development of methods to analyze flutter instabilities and limit-cycle oscillations; and (iii) inclusion of dynamic aeroelastic constraints into design optimization.
Lab/Collaborations:
- Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence (VLRCOE)
Disciplines:
- Aeroelasticity & Structural Dynamics
- Mechanics of Multifunctional Structures and Materials
- Sustainable Transportation and Energy Systems
- Vertical Lift and Urban Air Mobility
- B.S., Aerospace Engineering, 2012, Sapienza University of Rome
- M.S., Aeronautical Engineering, 2014, Sapienza University of Rome
- Ph.D., Aeronautics and Space Engineering, 2018, Sapienza University of Rome
- U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, National Academy of Engineering, 2026
- Boeing Visiting Professor, The Boeing Company, 2025
- Outstanding Research Advisor for M.S. Students Award, Georgia Tech, 2025
- Keynote Speaker, International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, 2024
- Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 2023
- Class of 1969 Teaching Fellow, Georgia Tech, 2022.
- Simmons, G., Kreshock, A. R., Thurnburgh, R. P., Sekula, M. K., and Riso, C., "Experimental Amplitude-Dependent Characterization of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed," Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 2026.
- Riso, C., "Evaluation of Whirl Flutter Prediction Methods for a System with Hardening or Softening Structural Nonlinearities," Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 2025.
- Golla, T., Kennedy, G. J., and Riso, C., "Sliding-Window Matrix Pencil Method for Design Optimization with Limit-Cycle Oscillation Constraints," AIAA Journal, 2024.
- Riso, C., and Cesnik, C. E. S., "Geometrically Nonlinear Effects in Wing Aeroelastic Dynamics at Large Deflections," Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2023.
- Riso, C., and Cesnik, C. E. S., "Impact of Low-Order Modeling on Aeroelastic Predictions for Very Flexible Wings," Journal of Aircraft, 2023.