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A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
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City Club of Cleveland - Building a Diverse Workforce for the Region's Technology Economy
Head, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT
Wesley L. Harris is MIT's Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and directs its Lean Sustainment Initiative. Dr. Harris, whose academic research encompasses unsteady aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, rarefied gasdynamics, sustainment of capital assets, and chaos in sickle cell disease, will be speaking about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an essential element in building a pipeline of qualified workers for the new technology economy that is emerging in Northeast Ohio.
Harris is a former NASA associate administrator for aeronautics responsible for all aeronautics programs, facilities, and personnel (1993-1995). From 1990 to 1993, he was the University of Tennessee Space Institute's vice president and chief administrative officer. From 1985 to 1990, he served as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut. And, from 1972 to 1985, he held faculty and administrative positions at MIT including professor of aeronautics and astronautics. He has worked with industry and governments to design and build joint research and development programs, centers, and institutes and is credited with more than 100 technical papers and presentations.
Harris has chaired and been a member of various boards and committees of the National Research Council, National Science Foundation, U.S. Army Science Board, and several state governments. He has participated on committees of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Helicopter Society, and National Technical Association and served as advisor to several academic institutions.
An elected fellow of the AIAA and of the AHS, Harris was recognized for personal engineering achievements, engineering education, management, and advancing cultural diversity. He has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Engineering, Cosmos Club, and Confrerie des Chavaliers du Tastevin.
April 3, 2006