Sedina Tsikata
Dr. Sedina Tsikata's research interests are the fundamental nature and applications of magnetized plasmas, with a focus on the development of advanced diagnostics, analysis methods, control, and new plasma devices. Her research has been applied to the study of instabilities and electron features in Hall plasma thrusters for space propulsion and in other magnetized plasma environments relevant to materials processing and accelerator physics. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2023, Dr. Tsikata was a researcher with the CNRS (the National Center for Scientific Research) in France. Dr. Tsikata received graduate degrees from the Ecole Polytechnique in France, and a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professor Tsikata's teaching focuses on foundational aerospace engineering courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and propulsion principles. Her instructional approach integrates theoretical understanding with practical problem-solving skills. Professor Tsikata actively involves students in coursework that bridges fundamental concepts with current aerospace challenges, fostering critical thinking and technical proficiency throughout the aerospace engineering curriculum.
Professor Tsikata's research centers on developing advanced computational methods and simulations in aerospace engineering, particularly in fluid dynamics and propulsion systems. Her work involves the analysis of turbulent flows, aerodynamic optimization, and the integration of numerical techniques to improve predictive capabilities. The research aims to enhance the understanding of complex aerospace phenomena to inform design and performance improvements in aerospace vehicles.
Lab/Collaborations:
- Plasma Instrumentation and Engineering Research (PIER) Laboratory
- Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Lab
Disciplines:
- Propulsion & Combustion
- PhD, Physics, Ecole Polytechnique, France
- MS, Fluid Mechanics and Energetics, Ecole Polytechnique, France
- BS, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
2024 Best Paper, 2022 International Electric Propulsion Conference
2024 Associate Fellow, AIAA
2022 William Crookes Prize, co-sponsored by the European Physical Society and Institute of Physics Publishing
2020 Bronze Medal, National Center for Scientific Research, France
2019 AIAA Outstanding Technical Achievement Award in Electric Propulsion
2019 Best Paper, 2017 International Electric Propulsion Conference
2011 René Pellat Prize, French Physics Society
- K Lee, S Tsikata, D Lev, D Motiwalla, Investigation of strategies for azimuthal magnetic field enhancement in magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, 2025
- K Lee, S Tsikata, Development and Photon Budget Analysis of an Incoherent Thomson Scattering Diagnostic for a Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster, GEC 2025, 2025
- S Tsikata, K Lee, Analysis of electromagnetic instabilities in magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, GEC 2025, 2025
- K Lee, S Tsikata, D Lev, D Motiwalla, Enhancing Azimuthal Magnetic Fields in Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters via Integrated Electromagnet Design, GEC 2025, 2025
- K Lee, PA Holstine, S Tsikata, Characterization of Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters Using Incoherent Thomson Scattering, DPP 2025, 2025