// People
People
The AEON Lab is led by Dr. Nicoletta Fala in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University.
Principal Investigator
01
Dr. Nicoletta Fala
Associate ProfessorDr. Fala's research focuses on solving aviation problems through data-driven cognitive human factors approaches. She is particularly interested in optimizing human and system performance and safety in flight training operations, aiming to simultaneously increase the accessibility and safety of flight.
She obtained her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Her doctoral work evaluated cognitive biases that impact how pilots respond to risk-related post-flight debrief.
Dr. Fala is also an instrument-rated single- and multi-engine commercial pilot and flight/ground instructor with aerobatics and cross-country air racing experience, and has helped operate a flying club for five years. Through her research and teaching, she aims to bring aviation and engineering closer together to effectively connect designers to the end-user experience.
Ph.D. Students
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Luis Alarcon Aneiva
Ph.D. CandidateOriginally from Bolivia, pursuing his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Research interests align with the lab's focus on aviation safety and transfer of skills from virtual reality to real aircraft. Outside research, practices karate and volunteers.
Josh Dobelbower
Ph.D. StudentJosh Dobelbower is a Ph.D. student in Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, researching approach scoring in the AEON Lab. He has experience in the aviation industry, having worked as a co-op for Gulfstream Aerospace during his studies. He is also a private pilot with over 140 hours to his credit and has experience flying the Cessna 172, Piper PA-28, and Cirrus SR-20. Josh has a passion for aviation and a keen interest in aviation safety, and aims to pursue his studies with the goal of working in flight test engineering. When he's not in the lab or working on his aerospace studies, you can find him on a cross-country flight or jogging around campus.
Undergraduate Students
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Ty Kuehl
Undergraduate StudentUndergraduate Professional Flight student from Liberty, Missouri. Contributes to Virtual Reality Flight Training simulator research; represents the university Flight Team in NIFA competitions, excelling in the Computer Accuracy (E6B) event. Primary focus: exploring viability and applications of VR technology in pilot training. Enjoys tennis, travel, and following sports.
Ph.D. Alumni
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Md Mijanur Rahman
Ph.D. Alumnus Ph.D., May 2026Completed his Ph.D. in May 2026, focused on Flight Performance, Systems Engineering, and Human Factors research. 10 years of combined experience in Airline Engineering (Aircraft Maintenance, Airworthiness Management, ERP Implementation, Aircraft Leasing-Trading) and academia. B.Sc and M.Sc in Aeronautical Engineering from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Bangladesh; M.B.A. from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) – University of Dhaka. Licensed Aircraft Engineer with a B1.1 type rating on ATR 72-500 aircraft.
Niklas Schulmeyer
Ph.D. Alumnus Ph.D., May 2026Completed his Ph.D. in May 2026, researching Situational Awareness, Flight Data, and Machine Learning. Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical/Process Engineering from Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany. Spent two semesters at University of Toronto researching ML applications combined with system modeling for flight simulator controls. Work experience with a digital flight controls company; interned at the German Civil Aviation Authority. Enjoys aviation photography, hiking, cycling, and traveling.
Aayush Bhattarai
Ph.D. Alumnus Ph.D., August 2026Completed his Ph.D. in August 2026 in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Originally from Nepal; prior to joining AEON, worked as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Engineering (IOE) – Pulchowk, Tribhuvan University. ~11 years of combined experience in aviation industry technical operations and academia; one of the pioneering faculty establishing aerospace engineering in Nepal. B.E. in Aeronautical Engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China; M.Eng in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Research focus: analyzing cognitive stress among pilots using data-driven methods and psycho-physiological measures to improve aviation safety. Interests: cognitive systems, predictive analysis, psycho-physiological measures, human factors.
Previous Group Members
11| Name | Project | Role / Year | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aayush Bhattarai | Modular Content-Aware Flight Displays | PhD, August 2026 | Teaching Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota |
| Md Mijanur Rahman | Pilot Fatigue | PhD, May 2026 | Director of Engineering at JSX |
| Niklas Schulmeyer | Situational Awareness | PhD, May 2026 | Delta Airlines |
| Elahe Oveisi | Noise in the Flight Deck | GRA, 2023–2024 | Ph.D. Student, iHuman Lab, Oklahoma State University |
| David Reenders | Multiple Projects | URA, 2023–2024 | Developmental Engineer & Officer, U.S. Air Force |
| Garrett Martin | WINDMAP, Abnormal Flight Conditions | BS, 2023 | Manufacturing Engineer at Sierra Space |
| Rose Nastaran Arzamani | Flight Scoring | GRA, 2022–2023 | Ph.D. Student in Marketing, Oklahoma State University |
| Scout Hernandez | WINDMAP | MS, 2023 | — |
| Nathan Janda | Loss of Control In-Flight | BS, 2022 | F135 MRO Engineer at Pratt & Whitney |
| Matthew Petty | Loss of Control In-Flight | BS, 2022 | New Production Manufacturing Engineer at GE Aerospace |
| J.W. Wallace | WINDMAP | MS, 2022 | Mission Systems Engineer at Boeing |