A Career Enabled by AIAA
September 24, 2026
Dr.Basil Hassan
Director, Engineering Sciences Center
Sandia National Laboratories
AIAA Fellow and Past President
Abstract Professional societies have been a mainstay of science and engineering communities for decades. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has had a very influential role in the career of Basil Hassan, since joining as a student member during his freshman year at NC State University. This talk will cover the various areas where AIAA not only propelled his career academically, but also provide lessons learned and opportunities that AIAA connections have helped him professionally. While AIAA is the case study for this talk, the learnings are applicable to any professional society.
When: Thursday September 24, 6:30-8:00 PM
Who: Open to all AIAA and STEM Professional Societies interested in learning about AIAA and AIAA Technical Committees
Where: Q-Station
3225 Central Ave., Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 608-3115
6:30-6:45 PM Welcome, food & beverage, & seating
6:45-7:30 PM Introduction and Talk
7:30-7:55 PM Q&A
7:55-8:00 PM Wrap-up
Pizza and Non-alcoholic Drinks to be provided!
Please RSVP to the Google Invite so we can have an accurate number of attendees: Click here to RSVP
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Dr. Basil Hassan is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1988, his master's degree in 1990, and his doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1993. He is the Director of the Engineering Sciences Center, where he is responsible for leading advances in S&T capabilities by integrating theory, computational simulation, and experimental discovery and validation across length and time scales to assess complex physical phenomena and systems supporting Sandia's national security mission. Previously, he served as Director of the Chief Research Office and Deputy Chief Research Officer, where he led Sandia's research strategy development, including the execution of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program, and oversaw Sandia's external partnership and technology transfer programs. Since joining Sandia in 1993, Dr. Hassan has worked in and managed all phases of research, development, and applications work that help fuel Sandia's national security mission. He supported NASA in determining the cause of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003 and was part of a broader team that supported the shutdown of the Deepwater Horizon oil well after the explosion and spill in 2010.
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Donald Flechtner
Director Advanced Systems
Applied Research Associates
Albuquerque NM
(505)816-6306
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