Gavin K. Ananda

Gavin K. Ananda has a diverse work experience in the field of aerospace engineering and technology. Gavin K. is currently working at Zipline as the Head of Perception Programs and DAA, leading a multidisciplinary team focused on developing systems for Zipline's vehicles to perceive and understand the environment in real-time. Gavin K. previously held roles at Zipline as the Perception Software and DAA Lead, and as the Detect and Avoid Technical and Program Lead, where they led teams responsible for developing production-level solutions for airborne risk mitigation.

Before joining Zipline, Gavin worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where they served as a Graduate Research Assistant and worked on various projects related to aerodynamic design and wind turbine performance optimization. Gavin K. also worked as an Aerospace Design Engineer at Unmanned Systems Technology and Composite Technology Research Malaysia, where they led a team and worked on the integration and flight testing of autopilot systems for UAVs.

Gavin's earlier experience includes working as a Research Technician and an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Arizona, where they were involved in the development and flight testing of autonomous micro air vehicles and ornithopters.

Throughout their career, Gavin has demonstrated expertise in areas such as perception programs, detect and avoid systems, aerodynamic design, wind tunnel testing, flight simulation, and UAV integration.

Gavin K. Ananda's education history begins with their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Arizona, which they obtained from 2005 to 2008. Following this, they pursued a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in the same field at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2010 to 2012. Gavin continued their academic journey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, in 2013 and 2014, they obtained an FAA Licensed Private Pilot certificate with a rating in Airplane Single Engine Land during their time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.