John Schmisseur

Schmisseur is the Executive Director at UTSI and a Professor of Aerospace Engineering. As director, Schmisseur sets the overall direction for the institute and serves as a direct connection to the dean of the Tickle College of Engineering in Knoxville. His goals include positioning UTSI as a regional hub for advanced technology, expanding the aerospace and defense industry presence in southern Tennessee, fostering workforce and economic development in the area, strengthening the ties between researchers and students in Tullahoma and Knoxville. Planned areas for expansion of research capabilities include aerospace propulsion, materials for aerospace and defense applications, and advanced optical instrumentation. His research interests center around hypersonics, aerospace engineering, and defense capabilities.