From FPD Robotics to Rotorcraft Research: Gray Simmons is Flying High
FPD Class of 2019 graduate Gray Simmons has carried his love for innovation and problem-solving from the classrooms and robotics labs of FPD all the way to Georgia Tech, where he is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.
As a Graduate Research Assistant in the Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Laboratory, he studies vertical lift aircraft, focusing on predicting whirl flutter—a phenomenon critical to rotorcraft safety. His work has included collaborations with NASA and internships with the Army at Langley Air Force Base, and he continues to compete in award-winning rotorcraft design competitions.
Gray’s journey began at FPD, where he immersed himself in both robotics and music.
“I started with the First Lego League (FLL) in fifth grade and stayed involved through middle school,” Gray recalls. “In high school, I joined the First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team and even began mentoring an FLL team at Campus Clubs, an after-school outreach program.”
His passion for music ran alongside his robotics pursuits. Beginning in fifth-grade band class, he took up the trumpet and continued through concert, marching, and jazz bands throughout middle and high school.
Reflecting on his time at FPD, Gray credits several teachers for their mentorship. “The time I spent in extracurriculars was some of the most memorable experiences growing up,” he says. “Mrs. Myers for middle school robotics, Mr. Baker for all band activities, and Mrs. Jerles and Mr. Carpenter for high school robotics were incredible mentors.”
One standout memory comes from his junior year: the state championship FTC robotics competition.
“I was the driver for our robot in the finals, and after a tense match, we won by a single point,” Gray recalls. “It was thrilling, and it secured our team’s first-ever spot in the Super Regionals.” Another highlight was mentoring an FLL team during his senior year, watching them earn recognition for their efforts—an experience he describes as incredibly rewarding.
Gray completed his undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech in 2023, continued into a master’s program in 2024, and recently transitioned to a Ph.D. track. His interest in aerospace engineering stems from a lifelong fascination with drones and a love for math, science, and designing new things—interests that were nurtured through his time in FPD robotics.
Gray credits FPD’s academic and extracurricular programs for preparing him for college and beyond.
“Clubs gave me a chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom in real-world scenarios,” he explains. “Classes like AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Physics also provided a strong foundation that made my freshman year at Georgia Tech feel like a review rather than a leap.”
Gray comes from a close-knit family. His parents live in Macon, while his two younger sisters pursue their passions—Reagan in musical theater in New York, and Shelby studying nursing at Reinhardt University.
From mentoring robotics teams to contributing to cutting-edge aerospace research, Gray Simmons exemplifies the innovation, curiosity, and determination that FPD fosters in its students.