Augustin Gakwaya is an aeronautical mechanical engineer and professor of numerical modeling and computer-aided design. He has devoted his career to numerical modeling of the behavior of materials and structures, both during forming and in service. His work has enabled us, for example, to predict the deformation and failure of aircraft structures in the event of a crash or bird strike resulting in engine loss. The information provided by the simulations can then be used to improve these structures to increase their strength or their ability to absorb impact energy, with the aim of contributing to digital certification to reduce the loss of human life in the event of survivable catastrophic incidents. By optimizing the use of lightweight materials, this work also helps to lighten structures and reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to air and ground transport.