Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Dr. Heather Wilson SECAF STEM PhD Fellow Aerospace Physiology Lab and Human Systems Lab Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics Advisor: Dr. Lonnie Petersen Research Interests lie at the intersection of aerospace physiology, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Dissertation work includes modeling flight intolerance conditions for trauma patients on autonomous aircraft for Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) applications. Other interests include bioastronautics and collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) research.
• Serves as the sole United States military flight test engineer who is fully integrated within the JASDF Flight Test Center. This position is performed only in Japanese. • Qualified Flight Test Engineer on the JASDF F‑2B and F‑15DJ • Flight Test Engineer for bilateral aerial refueling test between the Japanese F‑2 and F-15J the Australian KC‑30. Directed test planning/logistics between two allied nations, flew 35 flight hours in the F‑2 and F‑15 during execution • First USAF exchange officer to fly the Japanese F‑2 fighter in 14 years. Promoted mutual understanding of Air Force and Japanese flight test techniques and test environments • Provides United States Air Force (USAF) perspective on a myriad of JASDF flight test programs and at the JASDF Test Pilot School • Advises and executes various F‑2, F‑15, and C‑2 flight test programs • Flight Test Engineer and primary translator for international aerial refueling test between the Japanese F‑2 and the Australian KC‑30. Directed planning and logistics of critical test between two allied nations • Instructs in Japanese at the JASDF Test Pilot School and Technical Officer Course on various flight test topics as well as Department of Defense Acquisitions and recent USAF Research & Development. Also instructs in the flight test control room and the F‑2 aircraft simulator on performance and flying qualities flight test • Led the development and execution of the first‑ever JASDF integration of engineers into the JASDF Test Pilot School. Previously, only pilots could attend • Participated in COPE NORTH 2023, an operational exercise between the United States, Australia, and Japan. Harmonized and bolstered communication between nations. Provided operational and cultural perspectives. Facilitated critical collaboration for over 200 participants, helping overcome language barriers • Aided in the publication and presentation of the JASDF C‑2 unpaved runway test program at the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Annual Symposium
• Audited astrodynamics and test management phases of the first ever Space Test Fundamentals Course given to United States Space Force members by the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Provided feedback based on astronautics and flight test background to improve course materials and applicable topics • Directed and oversaw the academic operations of over 700 students and 300 faculty members across two departments. Facilitated operations with all five military services • Conducted dozens of academic attrition boards and student/faculty feedback sessions detailing student concerns so that beneficial changes could be made • Planned, executed, and managed student and faculty wide return to class effort amid Covid‑19. Over 450 people returned to class safely with zero Covid cases. Successfully implemented hybrid learning system with on‑line and in‑class participants • Created novel mentoring system to pair struggling students with military instructors. Each pair met one‑on‑one multiple times per week focusing on study habits and methods. This rapid mentoring approach produced immediate increases on students’ exam scores • Developed a Wikipedia‑like guide for the Japanese Department. Former graduates of the course helped populate the site with their advice. Current and future students can continue editing and refining the document into the future
Please see the education section for details