John S. Tomblin, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Director, Composites & Advanced Materials Laboratory
Director, Structures Laboratory

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University

Specializing in: Material Qualification, Advanced Material Insertion, Composites and Advanced Materials Research.

(316) 978-5234
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Tom Aldag
Director of Research & Development

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
Mini-MBA – Wichita State University Center for Management Development

Specializing in: New materials and fabrication methods, Linking research and development to government and industry needs

(316) 978-5326
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John E. Moore
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director

J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law
B.S., Commerce, Washington and Lee University

Specializing in: Identifying research and strategic opportunities and economic and workforce development initiatives that can involve NIAR, Interfacing with elected officials, the aviation industry and academia

(316) 978-5238
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Jerry W. Antes
Director, Operations and Budget

B.S., Accounting, Troy State University

Specializing in: Program Management, Finance, Business, Operating Budgets, Product and Project Cost Accounting and Product Bid Proposal Preparation and Pricing.

(316) 978-5888
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Tracee Friess
Marketing & Communication

B.A., Communication, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Advertising; Annual Report, Newsletter and other Print Publication Development; Public Relations; Website Development; Trade Show and Community Event Coordination, Tours

(316) 978-5597
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Dwight A. Burford, Ph.D.
Director, Advanced Joining & Processing Laboratory
Senior Research Scientist

Ph.D., Metallurgical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
M.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Specializing in: Friction Stir Welding/Processing, Metallurgical Engineering and Failure Analysis.

(316) 978-3204
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Christian Widener, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Advanced Joining & Processing Laboratory

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Friction Stir Welding/Processing, Heat-Treatable Aluminum Alloys, Corrosion, and Materials Characterization.

(316) 978-5205
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Enkhsaikhan (EK) Boldsaikhan, Ph.D.
Research Engineer, Advanced Joining & Processing Laboratory

Ph.D., Materials Engineering and Science, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
M.S., Computer Science, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
B.S., Software Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Specializing in: Friction Stir Welding/Processing, Signal Processing, Nondestructive Evaluation, Control Systems.

(316) 978-5205
Email

Jeremy M. Brown
Research Engineer, Advanced Joining & Processing Laboratory

M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Friction Stir Welding/Processing, Friction Stir Spot Welding and Tool Fixturing/Design.

(316) 978-7272
Email

Timothy Hickey
Director, Full-Scale Structural Test Laboratory
Director, Environmental Test Laboratory

B.S., Technology, Southwestern College

Specializing in: Full-scale and Component DDT and Static Testing, Experimental Structural Modifications.

(316) 978-8204
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Larry Braden
Manager, Full-Scale Structural Test Laboratory

AAS degree in Electronics - Butler County Community College/ Schweiter Technical School

Experience: 11 years Ground and Flight Test; 20 years Structural Test Instrumentation

Specializing in: Full-Scale and Component D&DT and Static Testing; Instrumentation and Systems

(316) 978-8222
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Melinda Laubach
Sr. Research Scientist/ Program Manager, Aging Aircraft Laboratory

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Solid Mechanics, Damage Tolerance and Aircraft Structures, Aging Aircraft Investigations

(316) 978-8205
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Shawn Ehrstein
Director, CAD/CAM Laboratory

M.B.A., Wichita State University
M.S., Electrical Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: PLM Curriculum Design and Research.

(316) 978-5839
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Brian M. Brown
Associate Director, CAD/CAM Laboratory

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: PLM Curriculum Research and Development and Manufacturing.

(316) 978-3246
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Nathan Shipley
Assistant Director, CAD/CAM Laboratory

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University, 2004

Specializing in: CATIA Structural Stress Analysis

(316) 978-7260
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Walter Lee
Director of Quality & Performance
Manager, Calibration & Quality Laboratory

Experience: 14 years Hydril Research Lab, 16 years MTS Field Service

Training: Electronics – USN, Avionics – USAF

(316) 978-6139
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Lamia Salah
Manager & Senior Research Engineer, Composites & Advanced Materials Laboratory

M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Composites and Fatigue and Fracture Research.
Past and Current Projects: Hydrothermal Effects on Composite Laminates, Bonded Repair of Aircraft Composite Sandwich Structures, Data and Methodologies for Structural Life Evaluation of Small Airplanes, Seat Cushion Component Test Validation, Aging of Composite Aircraft Structures: Decommissioned Boeing 737 Tail.

(316) 978-5775
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Waruna Seneviratne, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Composites Laboratory

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Structural and solid mechanics with emphasis on experimental work on durability and damage tolerance testing and analysis protocols for full-scale composite airframe structures.

(316) 978-5221
Email

Yulia Kostogorova-Beller, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Composites & Advanced Materials Laboratory

Ph.D., Materials Science, University of Lincoln-Nebraska
M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Lincoln-Nebraska
B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys

Specializing in: Lightning Strike Protection, Electromagnetic Shielding, Nanomaterials

(316) 978-5378
Email

Allison Crockett
Research Engineer, Composites & Advanced Materials Laboratory

B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, California Polytechnic State University

Specializing in: Project Coordination, Qualification of Composite Material Systems

(316) 978-5461
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Royal Lovingfoss
Research Engineer, Composites Laboratory

B.S., Chemistry, University of Washington

Specializing in: Project Management, Composite Material Systems

(316) 978-5317
Email

Gerardo Olivares, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Crashworthiness

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Experimental and Computational Structural Crashworthiness, Occupant Injury Biomechanics, Automotive and Aerospace Safety Systems Development, Mechanical Systems Design and Analysis.

(316) 978-7273
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Chad Gadberry
Manager, Crash Dynamics Laboratory

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering

(316) 978-5239
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Wade Davis
Manager, Environmental Test Laboratory

Training/Licenses: FCC/radar endorsement, US Navy Aviation Ordance Nuclear Weapons Loading Team, Security Clearance: Top Secret

Memberships: IEEE Society, RTCA, NARTE Society

Specializing in: Environmental/EMC/EMI/RFI/TEMPEST Technology, Aircraft P-Static and Full Scale Lightning testing, Metrology Calibration & Repair, Electronics Technology

(316) 978-6718
Email

Udo Schultheis , Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Human Factors

Ph.D. Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
M.S. Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
B.S. Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany

Specializing in: Aerospace Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction. Work experience in flight- and weapons testing, combat survivability, aircraft cockpit- and unmanned air vehicle ground control station design, pilot training and selection. FAA and JAA air transport pilot with more than 7000 flying hours and type ratings for jet and turboprop aircraft. FAA Evaluator.

(316) 978-5776
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Yeow Ng
Associate Director, National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP)

M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Materials & Processes, Qualification and Allowables of Composite and Other Advanced Material Systems.

(316) 978-5212
Email

Beth Clarkson
Statistician, National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP)

M.S., Mathematics, Wichita State University
pursuing Ph.D., Mathematics, Wichita State University (expected in 2008)

Specializing in: Basis value and Equivalency computations for composite materials, Quality Assurance, Statistical Process Control, and Design of Experiments

(316) 978-3952
Email

John Saunders
Research Engineer & Nondestructive Testing Instructor

A.A.S., Metal Working Technology (NDT emphasis), Community College of the Air Force
B.S., Business Management, Excelsior College of New York

Specializing in: General Nondestructive Testing theory, training, and testing; Certification programs and processes; NDT specifications and procedures; Probability of detection studies; NDT programs quality control and assessments.

Email

Arthur C. Porter
Manager, Research Machine Shop
Research Associate

Specializing in: Design, Fabrication, and Maintenance of the Mechanical Hardware used for Research Projects.

(316) 978-3656
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Shin Mah
Manager, R&D Testing, Mechanical Test Laboratory

(316) 978-5232
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Errick Robles
Manager, ITAR & Export-Controlled Testing, Mechanical Test Laboratory

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Composites Research and Development Testing and Photogrammetry Analysis using the ARAMIS full-field strain system.

(316) 978-6717
Email

Jason Yeoh
Manager, ASTM Standard Testing, Mechanical Test Laboratory

B. Eng, Mechanical Engineering, University of Glasgow, Scotland
M.S., Computer Science, Wichita State University

Specializing In: ASTM Static and Fatigue Testing, Qualification of Composite Material Systems, Project Coordination

(316) 978-6864
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Kah-Loon Chan
Manager, Research & Qualification, Mechanical Test Laboratory

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

(316) 978-2233
Email

Bill Johnson
Manager, Visual Technology Laboratory

Specializing in: Curriculum Development and Classroom Education in Maya 3-D Computer Animation and Corporate and Broadcast Video Production.

(316) 978-6812
Email

Fernando F. Toledo
Manager, Virtual Reality Center

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Specializing in: Virtual Reality, Real-Time Visualization & Simulation of CAD/CAID/CAE/CAM Databases.

(316) 978-8333
Email

To download a PDF of NIAR research contacts and areas of expertise click here.

John W. Laffen
Director, Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel and Crash Dynamics Laboratory

B.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Experimental Aerodynamics.

(316) 978-5481
Email

Eddie Irani, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Experimental Aerodynamics

(316) 978-3569
Email