Chiara Amarato, Ph.D.

Aerothermodynamics Researcher and Code Developer for hypersonic application German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Chiara Amato, PhD (she/her), has been a researcher at DLR since 2023, working within the Spacecraft Department of the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology. Her current research focuses on the development of the hypersonic extension to the next-generation CFD solver CODA, known as HyperCODA. By implementing dedicated chemical and numerical models, she conducts simulations and studies aimed at advancing hypersonics industrial applications and supporting experimental design. Her primary research interests include reusable launch vehicles and re-entry spacecrafts. Throughout her doctoral studies in the United States, Dr. Amato has been an active advocate for diversity and inclusion, supporting women, gender minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and international scholars.

She served as Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Aerospace Engineering Department and as a graduate mentor within the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Initiative at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering. Since joining DLR, Dr. Amato has continued her commitment to diversity as an active member of the DLR Women+ network, promoting women’s empowerment and contributing to events addressing issues such as sexism, microaggressions, retention of women in STEM fields, and gender equity in the workplace.