Grace Gao
Aeronautics and Astronautics
Stanford University
About Professor Grace Gao
Stanford University stands as a global leader in aerospace engineering, consistently ranked among the top programs worldwide for its Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The department is renowned for fostering a culture of rigorous academic excellence and pioneering innovation, providing a collaborative environment where interdisciplinary research thrives. With its proximity to Silicon Valley and deep-rooted ties to the aerospace industry, Stanford offers a unique ecosystem for high-impact discovery. This prestigious institution attracts the brightest minds to tackle complex challenges in flight, space exploration, and autonomous systems, maintaining a reputation for shaping the future of global transportation and defense technologies through cutting-edge experimentation.
🧬Research Focus
Professor Grace Gao leads critical research at the intersection of robust navigation and autonomous systems, addressing essential safety gaps in modern technology. Her work in the Navigation and Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory (NAV Lab) focuses on enhancing GNSS security and localization integrity, ensuring that autonomous vehicles and robotic platforms can operate reliably in unpredictable or adversarial environments. By integrating advanced robotic perception with sensor fusion and resilient autonomy, Gao’s research has profound implications for the safety of crewed and uncrewed aerial vehicles, humanoid robots, and space robotic systems. These innovations are essential for the future deployment of secure autonomous networks, protecting critical infrastructure against signal interference and environmental uncertainty.
🎓Student Fit & Career
Prospective PhD students who thrive under Professor Gao’s academic mentorship typically possess a strong mathematical foundation in control systems, signal processing, and robotics. Ideal candidates for her graduate research group are those who combine technical proficiency with a drive to solve real-world safety challenges in autonomous flight and ground navigation. Students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving, preparing them for leadership roles in both academia and the private sector. Graduates from this program are well-positioned for distinguished careers in the aerospace industry, autonomous vehicle development, and government research labs, contributing to the next generation of secure and intelligent robotic infrastructure.
Research Areas
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