The University – home to the Centre for Future Materials – has been named the country’s leading research institute of composite materials, according to national newspaper The Australian.
The winning institution was determined by whose researchers’ papers – published in the top 20 journals in the field in the past five years – has the most citations, and the news announced in The Australian yearly research feature.
Institute of Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences Executive Director Professor Peter Schubel said it was testament to the University’s commitment to supporting focused research areas and growing reputation and rankings as a result.
Meantime, Dr John Russell of the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (US AFRL) will join the University team via an Adjunct Professorship.
Dr Russell is the Chief of the Structures Technology Branch at US AFRL, and gained the new University position in recognition of his services to the advanced composite materials field in the Defence sector.
Professor Schubel said Dr Russell will bring immense experience in building partnerships with external customers across the US Air Force, US Department of Defence, and industry.
“He was the manager of the Department of Defence’s largest composites program, the Composites Affordability Initiative, which enabled bonding of primary aircraft structures,” Professor Schubel said.
“Currently, he is the senior manager of team that develops and transitions new airframe structures technology for safety, reliability, affordability, and efficiency.”
Dr Russell has been honoured with numerous awards and recognition including SME Fellow, SAMPE Fellow, Secretary of Defence Award for Excellence, and the AFRL Commander’s Cup and in 2019 was awarded the AFRL Fellow – an honour which represents the top 0.3 percent of AFRL’s professional staff.
Learn more about the University of Southern Queensland Centre for Future Materials.
