Dr. Aaron H. Persad is Assistant Professor of Aerospace in the Engineering and Aviation Science Department at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Using his training as a biomedical engineer and thermodynamicist, his research activities contribute towards advancements in space sciences and technology. Dr. Persad was a lead PI on Virgin Galactic’s first hybrid research flight in November 2023. Between 2007 and 2016, Dr. Persad was a science team member in the European Space Agency’s Microgravity Application Program for research payloads related to evaporation, condensation and boiling. He helped to design and develop over 40 payloads that have flown aboard parabolic aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital vehicles and the International Space Station, including UMES’ first human-tended suborbital spaceflight payload. Dr. Persad is also developing new space foods that improve human performance and cognitive health. His other research activities investigate the size-separation of molecules using novel filters made of graphene with Angstrom-sized features for applications in healthcare, energy, and water purification. Dr. Persad has published several papers related to statistical thermodynamics, nanofluidics, spacesuits and STEM education. He has co-founded 6 companies and holds numerous patents related to atomically thin membrane separations. He is the faculty supervisor for the UMES Engineering Club. His doctorate degree was obtained from University of Toronto, and prior to joining UMES, he was a full time Research Scientist at MIT. In 2017, he ranked in the Top 60 candidates in the Canadian Space Agency’s Astronaut Recruitment Campaign.
