Byram Distinguished Visiting Professor
The Michael M. Byram Distinguished Visiting Professorship (DVP) welcomes an internationally renowned researcher for one or two semesters each year. Starting with the first Byram DVP in 2018, the program offers leading researchers a unique opportunity to work with students and faculty at a top aerospace department.
Byram DVPs are provided financial support for their travel, lodging, and living expenses while in Boulder.ÌýIn return, they contribute to the program in a range of ways, including presenting seminars, mentoring Smead Program participants, and collaborating with CU faculty.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Byram DVP, please submit the form linked below.
2026 Visiting Professor
Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez is a Full Professor in Space Systems Engineering at ISAE-SUPAERO (Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace) in Toulouse, France, where she leads the Space Advanced Concepts research group. She holds a PhD from ISAE-SUPAERO and a Dr-Eng. degree from the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Stuttgart (2015), and has over 30 years of experience spanning space agencies, industry, and academia.
Her research and teaching focus on astrodynamics and on human and robotic space exploration (small bodies like asteroids, small moons like Phobos or Enceladus). Her work is structured around two main axes: (1) trajectory optimization for interplanetary and cislunar missions, with particular emphasis on rendezvous operations, and (2) human–robot interaction in long-duration exploration missions, including the effects of confinement and isolation on crew performance.
She previously served on console during critical operations of the ATV Jules Verne mission in 2008. She is co-founder and CTO of the Spaceflight Institute, Associate Editor of the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, a member of the Astrodynamics Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, and a Corresponding Member of the French Air and Space Academy.
Past Byram Distinguished Visiting Professors
Byram Distinguishing Visiting Professor (2023)
Byram Distinguishing Visiting Professor (2022)
Byram Distinguishing Visiting Professor (2021 - 2022)
Inaugural Byram Distinguishing Visiting Professor (2018 - 2019)