Faculty Spotlight
Penina Axelrad: University of Colorado Distinguished Professor, Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Education and experience
Axelrad earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then her PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University in 1991. As department chair, she worked collaboratively with multiple departments and institutes across campus on CU Boulder’s AeroSpace Ventures initiatives, and was instrumental in the creation of the new aerospace engineering building on east campus. Since joining the faculty, she has advised 22 PhD graduates, who have become key contributors and leaders in academia, government research labs, and the aerospace industry. Axelrad was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2019 for her work on analysis of multipath GPS signals to improve satellite navigation and new approaches to remote sensing.
Research interests
Axelrad’s research interests include space situational awareness, technology and algorithms for GPS-based position, navigation and timing (PNT) in space, airborne, marine and land environments, multipath characterization and correction, and remote sensing using GNSS-based reflectometry and radio occultation measurements. She has authored 62 journal papers, 197 conference papers, and served as PI or Co-I on research grants and contracts totaling $16 million. Axelrad was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory related to position, navigation and timing challenges in small spacecraft. She currently leads a Department of Education GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) program focused on growing the number of PhD graduates with expertise in critical aerospace technologies, and seeking to increase the representation of women and students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the aerospace field.
Axelrad is also a senior investigator on the new Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Engineering (Q-SEnSE) center, where she is studying applications of quantum technologies and systems for exploration, positioning, navigation and timing.
Thought leadership
Axelrad is an active member of the Institute of Navigation (ION), having served in numerous positions including president of the institute and associate editor of the ION journal, Navigation. She is a fellow of the ION and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Additional honors include the Lawrence Sperry Award (1996) from the AIAA, Samuel Burka Award (2011) and Johannes Kepler Award (2009) from the ION, Women In Aerospace Educator Award (2015), and University of Colorado Excellence in Leadership Award (2017).
Quotable and notable
Axelrad said she was proud of the college’s long history and current role in producing top-tier engineers who can immediately contribute professionally—no matter their chosen field after graduation.
“Engineering is a great profession. It brings together science and math and computing, with creativity and problem-solving and innovative design. And, it provides so many different pathways to be successful and to make a real difference in your own unique way.”
Penina Axelrad