Alex B. Zongo

// aerospace · autonomy · ai

Alex B. Zongo

PhD · GWU · IASL

> safe multi-agent RL for aerospace systems

I build robust machine learning and reinforcement learning algorithms for the airspace of tomorrow, including separation assurance, advanced air mobility, and flight control.

[ now ] Visiting Researcher → UC Berkeley (CITRIS & Banatao Institute, Prof. Alexandre Bayen), summer 2026.

I am a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The George Washington University, working under the supervision of Prof. Wei Peng in the Intelligent Aerospace Systems Lab (IASL).

My research interests center around solving complex sequential decision making problems via robust Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and optimization algorithms, with key applications in the aviation industry such airspace management and control, advanced air mobility, and flight control. Specifically, I focus on advancing safe multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) for aerospace systems. I am also interested in the design and simulation of aircraft, and the application of AI to aircraft design and control. Optimal Transport and Mean Field Games are also among my research interests.

I hold a strong academic background in control science, engineering, and aircraft design from institutions including Tsinghua University and Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I am committed to leadership development and community service, and I have a strong interest in music.

For a comprehensive overview of my education, experience, and skills, visit my CV page.

I am heading to University of California, Berkeley as a visiting researcher at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute led by Professor Alexandre Bayen for summer-2026.

If you are interested to collaborate on some exciting projects, feel free to reach out by email.

Multi-Agent Systems Reinforcement Learning Airspace Management & Control Advanced Air Mobility Flight Control, Guidance & Navigation Safe Generative AI for Critical Systems Aircraft Design & Simulation

Jun 2026

Presenting a poster “Fine-Tuning Large Language Models for Cooperative Tactical Deconfliction of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems” at the CVPR 2026 Workshop on Multi-Agent Embodied Intelligent Systems Meet the Generative-AI Era (MEIS), Denver, Colorado.

May 2026

Presenting a poster on “Robust MARL for Small UAS Separation Assurance under GPS Degradation and Spoofing” at the ACC 2026 Workshop on Autonomy in Transportation, New Orleans, Louisiana.

May 2026

Heading to University of California, Berkeley as a Visiting Researcher at the CITRIS & Banatao Institute.

Dec 2025

Started a blog post series on Air Traffic Control.

Jan 2025

Began serving as a Teaching Assistant for MAE 3134 — Linear Systems Dynamics at George Washington University.

Sep 2024

Hosted and organized the Safe and Responsible AI workshop, featuring the FAA, HASS COE, Johns Hopkins APL, and MIT Lincoln Labs, as well as TRAILS, NIST AI, and RAI UK.

Aug 2024

Started my PhD and research assistantship in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at George Washington University.

Aug 2024

Presented my research on Fault-Tolerant Flight Control at the International Conference on Guidance, Navigation and Control (ICGNC 2024).

May 2024

Graduated with a Master’s in Control Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University.