OLD DOMINION GRADUATE WINS PRESTIGIOUS SPERRY AWARD IN AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

Anna-Maria McGowan, an Old Dominion University graduate, has won the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Lawrence Sperry Award.

The Lawrence Sperry Award is given annually to one young AIAA member (under 35 years of age) who has made a significant contribution to the field of aeronautics or astronautics. McGowan was chosen from a pool of hundreds of nominees nationwide. She is being recognized for her contribution to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Air Force NASA Smart Wing Program at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton.

McGowan received a master of science degree in aerospace engineering from Old Dominion in fall 1998 and now works as an aerospace technologist at NASA Langley Research Center.

The award will be presented to McGowan at the 38th Aerospace Sciences meeting in Reno, Nev., Jan. 11.