Dr. Natasha Schatzman Receives Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Award
- Dr. Natasha Schatzman, an aerospace engineer at NASA Ames Research Center, received the inaugural Alex M. Stoll Award from the Vertical Flight Society (VFS) in May 2025.
- The award honors Dr. Schatzman’s exceptional commitment to advancing vertical flight and enhancing the well-being of her colleagues.
- Dr. Schatzman began her career at NASA Ames Research Center in 2008, where she is currently focusing on assessments of rotorcraft performance and aeroacoustics through experimentation and modeling.
- This award marks Dr. Schatzman’s second honor from the VFS, following her receipt of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Vertical Flight Award in 2023.
- Dr. Schatzman is recognized for her outstanding contributions to vertical flight technology at a young age, with the VFS award being given to members under the age of 35 for their career-to-date achievements.
Dr. Natasha Schatzman Receives Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Award
In May 2025, Dr. Natasha Schatzman, aerospace engineer in the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames Research Center, received the inaugural Alex M. Stoll Award from the Vertical Flight Society (VFS). This award honors a professional in the field of vertical flight who “demonstrates an exceptional commitment to advancing not only the mission of their organization but makes extraordinary contributions to enhancing the well-being and happiness of their colleagues.” Dr. Schatzman began her career at Ames in 2008 as a student intern while simultaneously completing her undergraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). She stayed at Georgia Tech through graduate school and finished her Ph.D. dissertation in 2018 in the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Department. Currently, Dr. Schatzman is focusing on assessments of rotorcraft performance and aeroacoustics through experimentation and modeling at Ames Research Center. The Alex M. Stoll Award is the second time she has been honored by the VFS. In 2023, Dr. Schatzman received the François-Xavier Bagnoud Vertical Flight Award which is given to a member “who is 35 years old or younger for their career-to-date outstanding contributions to vertical flight technology.” More information on Dr. Schatzman’s 2025 award is at: https://vtol.org/awards-and-contests/vertical-flight-society-award-winners?awardID=28
About the Author
Osvaldo R. Sosa Valle
Osvaldo Sosa is a dedicated and detail-oriented project coordinator at NASA Ames Research Center, where he supports operations for the Aeronautics Directorate. He is part of the Strategic Communications Team and serves as managing editor for the Aeronautics topic on the NASA website. With experience in event coordination, logistics, and stakeholder engagement, Osvaldo brings strong organizational and communication skills to every project. He is passionate about driving innovation, fostering strong leadership, and streamlining operations to enhance team collaboration and organizational impact.
