Sonya T. Smith

Sonya T. Smith is the Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program and Professor of Engineering at Howard University. Dr. Smith obtained her Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia (UVA) and was the first African-American woman to do so. She joined the Howard University faculty that same year and is the first female Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Smith has established an interdisciplinary theoretical and computational research laboratory entitled the Applied Fluids-Thermal Research Laboratory. Her expertise is in developing customized simulations for a variety of engineering applications. Current projects include thermal management of electronic packaging in fixed-wing, UAV and space vehicles; as well as modeling and simulation of biomechanical systems. She has received support for her research from NSF, NIH, NASA, DOD, and industry. Dr. Smith has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Her memberships in other professional societies include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Meteorology Society (AMS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Dr. Smith’s personal goal is to be a mentor and resource for all students and young faculty/professionals, but especially to those traditionally underrepresented in STEM.