Dr. Javier De Luis

Biography

Javier de Luis is a Lecturer in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in 1983, a Master of Science (MS) in 1985, and a Doctorate (PhD) in 1989 in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. Additionally, he completed an MS from the Sloan School of Management in 2003. His professional interests focus on safety, aerospace research operations, engineering design analysis, and technology management. De Luis has held significant roles in Payload Systems Inc. as a staff scientist, Chief Scientist, and CEO, following a merger with Aurora Flight Sciences, where he served as Chief Scientist and Vice President of Research Development until 2016. Throughout his career, he has been a principal investigator and project manager for several aerospace research projects, including the Middeck 0-gravity Dynamics Experiment (MODE) and the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES). He has published papers on various topics such as piezoelectric actuators, intelligent structures, and structural control. His seminal paper on Smart Materials has been widely referenced, indicating his significant contributions to the field. In January 2023, de Luis was appointed to the FAA Expert Panel to review Boeing's safety culture, with the final report due for release in February 2024.

Research Interests

Experience