Dr. Sonya T. Smith

Dr. Sonya T. Smith is an accomplished academic and leader in mechanical engineering, holding multiple positions at Howard University since August 1995, including Executive Director of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Smith is also a Fellow at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, a Co-PI at the NSF Engineering Research Center for Power Optimization of Electro-Thermal Systems, and the Principal Investigator for the NSF ADVANCE-IT initiative aimed at enhancing female representation in STEM. Additional roles include Visiting Research Fellow at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, MLK Visiting Professor at MIT, and past President of WEPAN, focusing on the inclusion of women in engineering. Education includes a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and participation in the Wharton Entrepreneurship Executive Education Program.