Amadou Wade

• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2023

• University of Maryland, Aerospace Engineering , ‘26

• Host Institution: Zipline

Amadou Wade is a Freshman Aerospace Major at the University of Maryland with plans to pursue a minor in autonomy and robotics. But even before starting his college career, he was already dabbling in the tech industry as he designed and operated a robotics drone program in partnership with the College Park Aviation Museum. He also achieved a Maryland senatorial award for building a Raspberry Pi autonomous drone under the STEMcx organization. Currently, Amadou is learning to design and build solid motor rockets with interest in propulsion, software, electronics, and structures under the Terppian Rocket team. His ultimate career goal is to become a systems Aerospace Engineer and a technical generalist, mastering a couple of disciplines but knowing enough to be dangerous in any field. Pair this with his strong entrepreneurial mindset; he hopes to start something great in the emerging Aerospace industry.