Smead Distinguished Postdoctoral Associate
The Smead Distinguished Postdoctoral Associate position is awarded to reflect extraordinary academic achievement in advancing the knowledge and study of aerospace engineering sciences. This position is one-year opportunity for a recent PhD graduate from any school around the world to continue their research in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
2025 Postdoctoral Scholar
Ulubilge Ulusoy
Ulubilge Ulusoy is the inaugural Smead Distinguished Postdoctoral Associate in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, working with Assistant Professor Katya Arquilla. He holds a PhD in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California.
During his PhD, he worked with NASA’s Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration (HOME), a Space Technology Research Institute focused on developing technologies and methodologies for future deep space habitats. His expertise lies in human factors engineering and human autonomy teaming for long duration exploration missions.
Ulubilge is passionate about contributing to the development of future space habitats, from Earth orbit to the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, with a particular interest in enabling the utilization of artificial intelligence in space. Outside of work, Ulubilge plays basketball and enjoys watching soccer games, especially those of his favorite team, Galatasaray.