8/6/2010
Joanna M Austin, an assistant professor in aerospace engineering, is a 2010 recipients of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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Joanna M Austin, an assistant professor in aerospace engineering, is a 2010 recipients of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The award--considered to be among the most prestigious given to young faculty--will support Austin and her group’s study of shock- and stress wave-induced void collapse in biomedical applications. Tissue can be damaged during such applications if cavities develop and then collapse in the tissue.
Austin’s work to predict such damage could impact treatment decisions in procedures such as lithotripsy (used to break up kidney stones), laser-induced plasma surgery, and ultrasound. Model experiments include high-speed imaging and the first velocity field measurements around collapsing voids.
Austin’s research interests include fluid mechanics, compressible flow and combustion. She directs the Compressible Fluid Mechanics Laboratory.
Austin joined the Illinois faculty in 2003, after earning a master’s degree and a PhD in aeronautical engineering at the California Institute of Technology. She had earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and in mechanical and space engineering from the University of Queensland in Australia. Earlier this summer, the Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has selected Austin and her co-authors for its 2009 Best Paper Award.
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Contact: Joanna Austin, Department of Aerospace Engineering, 217/333-3739.
Susan Mumm, editor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, 217/244-5382.
If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, Engineering Communications Office, 217/244-7716, editor.