Professor Dr. Rafael Palacios

Professor

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Biography

Rafael (Rafa) Palacios is a Professor of Computational Aeroelasticity at Imperial College London's Department of Aeronautics. He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, obtained in 2005, and has an earlier degree as an Aeronautical Engineer from Universidad Politécnica, Madrid, completed in 1998. Since 2007, he has been leading the Load Control Aeroelastics lab, focusing on computational methods for dynamic analysis and control optimization of flexible air vehicles and large wind turbines. Rafa also directs the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation, a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to net-zero aviation technologies. He authored the book "Dynamics of Flexible Aircraft," published by Cambridge University Press in 2023. Additionally, he serves as an associate editor for various journals and has received several accolades, including the AIAA Foundation Orville Wilbur Wright Graduate Award. His industrial experience includes working as an R&D engineer in aeroelasticity and structural dynamics at Airbus. Rafa has also been recognized for his role as a supervisor, winning the Imperial Student Academic Choice Awards in 2013.

Research Interests

Computational Aeroelasticity Dynamic Analysis Control Optimization of Flexible Air Vehicles Net-Zero Aviation Technologies

Experience

Professor of Computational Aeroelasticity

2018-08-01 — Present

Imperial College London • London, United Kingdom

Leading research and teaching in the Department of Aeronautics, specializing in computational aeroelasticity.

Director

2022-02-01 — Present

Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation • United Kingdom

Overseeing research initiatives focused on sustainable aviation technologies.

Head

2025-10-01 — Present

Department of Aeronautics • United Kingdom

Leading the Department of Aeronautics, guiding academic and research directions.

Awards

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AIAA Foundation Orville Wilbur Wright Graduate Award

Requirements for Imperial College London

Master Program

Requirements

GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:125
Overall
Required:125

Prerequisites

Materials Science Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Chemical Engineering Physics Chemistry

Application Checklist

  • Personal statement
  • CV/resume
  • Official university transcripts
  • Two academic or professional references
  • Application fee (£90)

Specialization Notes

Specialisms available in Materials for the Energy Transition or Theory and Simulation of Materials.