Philip Ferguson

Dr. Philip Ferguson is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Magellan Industrial Research Chair at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. He leads the Space Technology and Advanced Research Laboratory (STARLab) and collaborates with the Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS). His work focuses on making aerospace technology accessible through low-cost, reliable solutions for Arctic communities and search-and-rescue operations. Dr. Ferguson holds a PhD from MIT and has industry experience with Magellan Aerospace and PrecisionHawk Inc.

• Education:
  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, MIT (2006)
  • SM in Aerospace Engineering, MIT (2003)
  • B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science (Aerospace Option), University of Toronto (2000)

Dr. Ferguson's research spans satellite guidance, drone navigation, Arctic remote sensing, and machine learning. His projects include CubeSats for climate change monitoring, drones for search-and-rescue, and airships for Arctic communications. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges in Northern Canada and Indigenous communities.

His recent articles explore fault detection in spacecraft systems, drone-based payload control, and innovative navigation algorithms. He actively recruits graduate students interested in advancing aerospace accessibility.

Labs/Teams: STARLab (founded 2014), CEOS collaborations, and industry partnerships with Magellan Aerospace.