In the News, August 2012

Aeronautical engineer, pilot, and road racer William F. Milliken Jr. passed away this week at the age of 101. An MIT grad, Milliken was assistant head of flight test at Boeing Aircraft during World War II. Later, he became head of flight research at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, where he co-invented the variable stability aircraft.

He was also an experienced race car driver and was a consulting engineer to General Motors, Rolls-Royce, Ford, Bridgestone and Goodyear. He wrote a book on vehicle dynamics that is “considered the bible of Formula 1 race car design.” Read the obituary from The Washington Post

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Today, the third annual Latino Family Conference will take place in Orlando, FL. The goal of the conference is to “empower parents (and) let them know about their kids’ education.” One of this year’s guest speakers will be Dr. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, a scientist and future NASA employee. Dr. Sierra-Sastre hopes “to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in science and engineering, and to encourage young Latinos to be determined and courageous in their pursuits.”

Beginning in March, Dr. Sierra-Sastre will be one of six scientists living in an isolated planetary module at NASA to simulate life on Mars for future astronauts. She has also applied for one of NASA’s new astronaut positions. Read the article from NBC Latino

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The Tennessean recently published an article about the demand for foreign technology workers in the U.S. “In 2011, Nashville-area employers sought 610 H-1B work visas for engineers, scientists and other foreign workers.”

The article highlights several engineering positions that have been filled at Vanderbilt University with foreign workers.

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