Hartzell Named to 40 under 40 by Georgia Tech Alumni

Department of Aerospace Engineering Minta Martin Professor Christine Hartzell was named to the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 class of 2026. The distinction recognizes “hardworking and innovative” young Georgia Tech alumni who have excelled in their fields across government, industry, academe, and non-profits.

Hartzell completed her B.S. at Georgia Tech in 2008 and then went on to pursue her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

At the University of Maryland, she is the founding director of ASTRA-UMD, UMD’s center for space exploration technology research, and she has participated in several NASA and JAXA missions to study asteroids and Phobos, one of Mars’ moons.

Her current research aims to understand the fundamental physics of granular systems on space objects that will better enable the development of key space exploration technologies. She is particularly interested in the evolution of surfaces on airless planetary bodies, such as asteroids and the Moon, the behavior of granular materials, and the detection of sub-cm orbital debris.

Before joining the faculty at Maryland, Hartzell was a Keck Institute for Space Studies Postdoctoral Fellow at Caltech, and Asteroid 9319 was named “Hartzell” in recognition of her many contributions to the field of asteroid science.

“This year’s 40 Under 40 honorees are redefining what it means to lead and make an impact. They are driving progress, solving critical challenges, and improving lives in countless ways. Their accomplishments are both inspiring and transformative, setting new standards of excellence,” said Alumni Association President Dene Sheheane, Mgt 91 in the Georgia Tech press release. “I am proud to recognize these outstanding Yellow Jackets, whose leadership is shaping the future of our communities, our industries, and our world.”

Published July 22, 2026