NAE Regional Meeting
May 19 – 21, 2026
Smarter Skies, More Resilient Systems: The Future of Commercial Aviation
The National Academy of Engineering Regional Event at Duke University will convene leading experts from industry, government, and academia to explore next-generation challenges and solutions in aviation, including:
- Climate and weather-related considerations
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Air traffic control and operational advancements
Register Here
Travel Information
Air & Ground Transportation
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Washington Duke Inn https://www.washingtondukeinn.com/ JB Duke Hotel https://www.jbdukehotel.com/ The Lodge at Duke Medical Center https://www.lodgeatdumc.com/ AC Hotel Durham AC Marriott – Erwin Dr. Durham Marriott City Center RDU – Durham Marriott The Durham Hotel http://thedurham.com/ 21c Museum Hotel Durham http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/durham/ Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Residence Inn Durham Aloft Durham Downtown http://www.aloftdurhamdowntown.com/ Unscripted Durham Unscripted – Hyatt Durham Hilton Hilton Hilton Garden Inn Durham/University Medical Center Hilton Garden Inn -
Please use the following link for driving directions from your current location To Campus
If you will need a campus parking pass during your stay, please contact NAE2026@duke.edu
Keynote Speakers
Ella Atkins
Fred D. Durham Chair in Engineering and Department Head of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech
John-Paul Clarke
Ernest Cockrell, Jr. Memorial Chair in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
Michimasa Fujino
Former President and CEO, Honda Aircraft Company, NAE Member
Captain Jim Graham
Senior Vice President of Delta Connection and CEO of Endeavor Air for Delta Air Lines
Alton “Al” D. Romig, Jr.
Executive Officer, National Academy of Engineering
Other Prominent Speakers
Kerry Buckley
Vice President Center for Integrated Transportation The MITR Corporation
Yiran Chen, PhD
John Cocke Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University
Earl H. Dowell, PhD
William Holland Hall Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, NAE Member
Alan Epstein, PhD
R.C. Maclaurin Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NAE Member
R. John Hansman
T. Wilson (1953) Professor in Aeronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Gabriel G. Katul, PhD
George Pearsall Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, NAE Member
Jesse Quinlan, PhD
Branch Head, Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch, NASA
William C. Sandifer, A.A.E.
Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer RDU
Michael Todd, PhD
Professor and Department Chair of Structural Engineering, UC San Diego
Claire Tomlin, PhD
James and Katherine Lau Chair in Engineering, UC Berkeley, NAE Member
Tentative Schedule
Additional Details Coming Soon
Tuesday, May 19
Optional afternoon tours at Duke and in the RDU area, followed by an evening welcome reception
Wednesday, May 20
Full-day conference session and evening dinner
Thursday, May 21
Morning sessions concluding by noon
Duke University NAE Conference Organization Team
- General Chairs:
- Alec Gallimore, PhD Provost and Chief Academic Officer
- Yiran Chen, PhD, John Cocke Distinguished Professor
- Program Chairs:
- Jerry Lynch, PhD, Vinik Dean of Engineering
- Hai “Helen” Li, PhD, Marie Foote Reel E’46 Distinguished Professor
- Organization Chairs:
- Jennifer Bailey, Administrative Director, Office of the Provost
- Julie Barker, Chief of Staff to the Provost
- Cyndi Rice, Assoc. Director of ECE Operations
- Tammy Toler, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Provost
Contact the Organization Team at NAE2026@Duke.edu