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What makes a 20 Twenty?
Aviation Week Network honors 20 students in their Twenties each year currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM). The 20 Twenties program was established by Aviation Week Network in 2013 to recognize talented individuals who are on course to change the face of the aerospace and defense industry. Criteria is based on academic performance, public/community involvement, personal challenges and how they communicate the value of your individual research/design project.
Click HERE to learn the qualities that make a 20 Twenty
Nominations open April 1, 2023. Deadline to nominate by October 15, 2023.
Congratulations to the 20 Twenties Class of 2022
Terelle Cadd Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityB.S. Aerospace Engineering | Class of 2022 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Cadd transitioned from community college studies while working full time at United Parcel Service
to pursue his passion for aerospace engineering. As a research associate at NASA Langley Research Center, he worked to apply NASA technologies to solve wildfire challenges. He was appointed team lead for the NASA Academy Team, which developed an image-processing algorithm for drone technology to detect and plot wildfire perimeters in real time as well as an app to reduce miscommunication and improve reporting of fires.Cadd’s undergraduate research has included designing a 3D-printable drone and improving applied laser flow measurements to reduce uncertainties in readings from geometric scattering. He has assisted students with disabilities through note taking and volunteered with Feeding America and the United Way.
- Luisa Piccolo Serafim Duke University
Graduate Student, Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2026 | Duke University
B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2021 | Universidade Federal de Santa CatarinaPiccolo Serafim’s research at Duke University’s Aeroelasticity Research Laboratory is assessing high speed flows and fluid-solid-thermal interactions for supersonic and hypersonic applications. Her research can potentially improve how the aerospace industry approaches complex aerodynamic and aeroelastic problems during technological development.
Originally from Brazil, Piccolo Serafim completed an engineering internship at Embraer. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered to attract—and keep—youth in STEM studies, including founding a student organization to help her university better identify and address issues such as gender discrimination and biased evaluation. As a member of Duke’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community committee, she supports underrepresented groups through the graduate school application process.
- Chloé Gentgen Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S. Aeronautics and Astronautics | Class of 2022 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. and M.S. Engineering | Class of 2020 | Ecole Centrale Paris, University of Paris-SaclayGentgen is researching the design of planetary exploration missions with a focus on optimizing propulsion systems and improving sustainability efforts. She was a finalist in last year’s NASA RASC-AL competition, for which she proposed a crewed mission concept to Ceres. She is leading a team in this year’s competition to design a mobile in situ resource utilization plant capable of producing methalox propellant on Mars. She also was selected as a systems engineer for the Caltech Space Challenge.
Gentgen has interned at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Thales Alenia and Flying Whales. She is president of MIT’s Graduate Women in Aerospace Engineering student group and a member of the Space Generation Advisory Council Group. She is training to become a volunteer emergency medical technician at MIT.
Recognition & Awards Ceremony
The 20 students chosen for the 2022 awards were honored at the 20 Twenties Luncheon and at Aviation Week Network’s annual Laureates Awards and Banquet on November 3, 2022 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. In addition, all winners have been highlighted in Aviation Week & Space Technology and will receive a free digital subscription to the magazine.
photos: Nathan Mitchell Photography
The Top 20
Universities around the world nominate their top students who are working to solve challenges within the industry.
Now in its 9th year, the prestigious awards program received a total of 635 nominations from exceptional students worldwide earning university STEM degrees and awarded 180 of them as 20 Twenties winners.
A total of 149 different colleges and universities around the world have participated in the program since 2013 by nominating students on the basis of their academic performance, broader civic contribution, and the value of their research or design project.
Most importantly, the program brings together technology hiring managers, students, and faculty worldwide to recognize what’s needed for business and academic growth and success. The students begin building a network comprised of the technical experts who have built the industry, the universities gain visibility for high-quality education provided to the students, and hiring managers gain knowledge about the best of the best in the next generation of aerospace talent.
The 2022 nomination program brought in a total of 61 total qualified nominations from 26 different universities representing five countries. Five new nominator schools participated in the program this year.
The schools representing the 20 Twenties class of 2022 include:
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By supporting tomorrow’s leaders, you’ll receive widespread recognition throughout the industry and direct access to these rising stars. On March 14, 2024, sponsors and the 20 Twenties winners will be recognized at an Awards Luncheon as well as the Laureates Awards Banquet.
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Hear from Past Winners
"In both the Luncheon and Dinner, I built numerous professional relationships that I hope to sustain and grow over the rest of my career. Celebrating exceptional technological leaps and incredible individual contributions across all industry sectors was an amazing experience. I was honored and delighted to take part in the 20 Twenties events, and am very grateful for the support of Aviation Week and event sponsors."
"Overall, I really enjoyed the experience of being a 20 Twenty! I can confidently say that the networking opportunities allowed me to build connections that have helped me immensely as I start my career. For that I would like to say thank you. Also, I found the experience to be highly motivating too. It was incredible to see the amazing projects my fellow 20 Twenties are working on and the projects occurring within industry. Thank you again for the opportunity to be part of this amazing program."
“It was a rare opportunity to be surrounded by so many game changers in the industry who are contributing to developments in aerospace I had only previously read about and aspired to do someday. Interacting with them and hearing their stories has only reaffirmed my love for aerospace and my drive to carry on their work in the future."
"The 20 Twenties award will hold immense value in my young career as an engineer. It encouraged me to continue pursuing my dreams and demonstrated that I was truly making an impact on others. The award also helped me connect with future aerospace leaders and current aerospace leaders to not only advance my own development, but also create partnerships and friendships. The 20 Twenties Award Luncheon and Dinner by Aviation Week Network was an incredible experience that I will cherish at the beginning of my budding career!"
"The 20 Twenties Luncheon and Laureates Awards Dinner was a very worthwhile experience that gave me the opportunity to meet and network with not only current aerospace industry leaders, but also with other 20 Twenties award winners."
Nominations open April 1, 2023. Deadline to nominate by October 15, 2023.
Partner:
Premier Sponsor: 
The 20 Twenties program reflects the best within the next generation of talent entering the aerospace and defense industries. As a global leader in advanced composites technology, Hexcel applauds these awardees for their outstanding academic accomplishments, and we are inspired by their passion. We look forward to working with them as together, we usher in a new era of cutting-edge advancements in aeronautics. I thank Aviation Week for the opportunity for us to meet these honorees and to participate in encouraging them as they reach for new heights.
Colleen Pritchard, Hexcel
Premier Sponsor:
Sponsor: 
As a sponsor and attendee for the 20 Twenties program, it was an excellent engagement with some of the brightest minds in aerospace and defense. Even more than the energy and vision they provide for our industry, the inspiring message and enthusiasm they bring to our talent pipeline is much needed as we compete with others sectors.
Scott Drach, Boeing
Have a Question?
For all General Questions:
Email Anna Dariotis with the subject line
“20 Twenties”
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“20 Twenties Sponsorship Inquiry”
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