Dustin Hall

Dustin Hall is a 2025-2029 Self Graduate Fellow from Wellsville, KS, pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Dustin served nine years in the Marine Corps and spent an additional two years as a defense contractor in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. After completing his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, in 2018. 

During his undergraduate experience, he served as the lead engineer for the university's Rocket Project, developing a liquid oxygen/liquid methane rocket capable of reaching 50,000 feet. After graduation, he worked for five years at the NASA John Glenn Research Center contributing to projects involving hybrid-electric aircraft systems analysis and bend tolerant battery systems. He also helped develop the high-lift electric motor for the X-57 aircraft, and created multidisciplinary design and optimization software for electric motor concepts.

Driven by pushing the boundaries of space exploration, Dustin will conduct research as a graduate student in the field of guidance, navigation, and control, focusing on the entry, descent, and landing phase. His research aims to ensure the safe and precise landing of spacecraft using innovative control algorithms and artificial intelligence driven approaches. 

Mentors: Craig McLaughlin, Ph.D. and  Shawn Keshmiri, Ph.D.