Michael Sangid was approved by the Board of Trustees to be acknowledged as the Reilly Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This title recognizes his academic contributions to materials science, solid mechanics and manufacturing. He has also been expanding Purdue's reach into national security and defense through applied research and expanded lab space.

Sangid is developing new approaches to the design, manufacture and life analysis of structures and materials – leading to safer, more energy-efficient and higher-performing aerospace components. 

Through collaboration with major aerospace gas turbine companies, he has addressed critical production issues and resolved long-standing materials problems. Sangid established and serves as executive director of the Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center to foster collaboration among industry partners, facilitate innovation in high temperature materials, reduce the time and cost of prototyping, and accelerate progress in the field of hypersonics. 

He also spearheaded the design, development and deployment of Virtual Labs, offering students a more interactive and enriching laboratory experience, and is helping to integrate these experiences into various courses throughout the university.

The professorship is named for Vincent P. Reilly, who received his bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1922 and was founder of Illinois Gear and Machine Co. The Vincent P. Reilly endowment was created after his death in 1969, through a bequest of approximately $4.5 million.

The AAE Named Professorship Committee, established in summer 2022, supported Sangid through the nomination process. The committee was built by AAE faculty to aid their colleagues in receiving named professorships.