Wesley L. Harris
Source: https://aeroastro.mit.edu/people/wesley-l-harris/ Parent: https://aeroastro.mit.edu/about-us/faculty-awards-honors/
Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
I believe the relationship between a faculty mentor and their student is one that requires mutual respect and trust. Especially at first, the power balance favors the faculty member in the partnership. Hence, it is incumbent upon me to reach out to my students.
Contact Info
Office Phone
617.253.0911
Office
Website/Lab
Administrative Contact
Britton "Bryt" Bradley
617.253.6583
Financial Officer
Quentin Alexander
617.253.6270
Specialization and Research Interests
Fluid dynamics: unsteady aerodynamics, aeroacoustics; rotorcraft technology; economic incentives: defense systems acquisition, lean financial management methods; sustainment of capital assets; sickle cell pathology: onset dynamics of crisis.
Read My Advising Philosophy Statement
Academic Degrees
B.A.E. (with Honors), 1964, University of Virginia\ M.A, 1966, Princeton University\ Ph.D., 1968, Princeton University
Society Memberships
African Scientific Institute, Fellow; American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow; American Helicopter Society, Fellow, Director; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Honorary Fellow; American Physical Society; American Society for Engineering Education; Mathematical Association of America; National Academy of Engineering; National Technical Association, Fellow; Cosmos Club, Washington, DC; Union of Concerned Scientists, Board Member.
Positions held at MIT
Founding Director, MIT Hypersonics Research Team, 2015 – present; Associate Provost for Faculty Equity, 2008-2013; Head, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2003-2008; Housemaster, New House, 2002-present; Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2001-present; Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1996-2001; M.L. King Jr. Visiting Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1995-1996; Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1981-1985; Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1979-1981; Director of the Office of Minority Education, 1975-1979; Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of Ocean Engineering, 1973-1979, Sponsored Research Experiment Subcommittee” of the Ad Hoc Academic Affairs Committee (AAC).
Positions held outside MIT
Advisory Committee Member for Alabama A&M University’s LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Program; AIAA 2026 Fellows Selection, Chair; AIAA Honors and Awards Committee; Vice President, National Academy of Engineering (2022-Present); NASA Headquarters, Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, 1993-1995; University of Tennessee, Space Institute, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, 1990-1993; University of Connecticut, School of Engineering Dean, 1985-1990; Harris Analytical and Planning, President and Owner, 1980-1985; NASA Headquarters, Manager, Computational Methods 1979-1980; Southern University, Department of Physics, Associate Professor 1970-1971; University of Virginia, School of Engineering, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, Assistant Professor 1968-1970, Associate Professor 1971-1972.
Affiliated Labs
Awards & Honors
1963
Tau Beta Pi
1963
The Jefferson Society
1966
Sigma XI
1970-72
SIAM Visiting Lecturer
1979
Irwin Sizer Award, MIT
1981
Eminent Scholar, Norfolk State University
1982
Scholar in Residence, Millersville State College
1988
American Academy of Mechanics
1990
Honorary Alumni, University of Connecticut
1990
Milton Pikarsky Memorial Lecturer
1992
Herbert S. and Jane Gregory Distinguished Lecturer
1993
Confrerie des Chavaliers du Tastevin