Padua Alumna Wins Award for NASA Research

Padua alumna Chloe Amoroso ’20, who is NASA Glenn's Spring 2026 intern, earned first place in the Graduate Category at the 2026 AIAA Region III Student Conference, held April 10–11, 2026 at the University of Michigan.

Her award-winning paper, titled “Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of Turbo-Compound Engine with High-Efficiency Hybrid-Cycle Internal Combustion Rotary Configuration,” is directly based on research conducted during her internship at NASA Glenn.

The AIAA Region III Student Conference is fiercely competitive, with more than 100 students representing 13 universities and 43 presentations across various categories. Chloe’s recognition as the top graduate researcher underscores not only the exceptional technical quality of her work, but also the remarkable value of the internship experience at Glenn.

During her time at Glenn, Amoroso contributed to advanced propulsion research, applying thermodynamic analysis to investigate next-generation engine designs. Her achievement illustrates how hands-on research opportunities at Glenn allow students to tackle real-world aerospace challenges and grow professionally.

Donald Simon and Ralph Jansen, her internship mentors, shared: “Chloe is an outstanding intern, demonstrating strong theoretical knowledge and impressive engineering design skills. Her excellent communication abilities and resourceful attitude have enabled her to collaborate effectively across the organization to advance project objectives. She has been a true asset to our NASA Glenn team.”

This accomplishment highlights the continued impact of Glenn’s Office of STEM Education Internship Program in preparing future aerospace engineers and researchers.

Amoroso was Cleveland State University’s valedictorian in spring 2025. She received a bachelor's degree from the Washkewicz College of Engineering. She is continuing her studies at CSU for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and then pursuing a Ph.D.

At Padua, Amoroso was a standout in both athletics and fine arts. She won the Ms. Bruin Award in 2020, which recognizes the best female athlete in a graduating class. She was a member of Padua’s Track & Field team and won an individual State Title in Triple Jump (during the Indoor Track & Field season). She was also on Padua’s State Championship Figure Skating team. Additionally, Amoroso was an accomplished artist, winning seven Scholastic Art Awards from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2020, including three Gold Key Awards, three Silver Key Awards and one Honorable Mention. Prior to Padua, she graduated from St. Thomas More School.