Thomas A. Cruse, the H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus, at Vanderbilt University has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), an honor bestowed upon him by his peers.
He is among 471 scientists from around the country who have been elevated to this rank because of their efforts to advance science or its applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the 2008 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston.
Two other Vanderbilt professors – Peter T. Cummings, the John R. Hall Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Ellen H. Fanning, the Stevenson Professor of Molecular Biology – were also elected AAAS fellows this year.
Cruse is a noted pioneer in the development of a computer simulation method called boundary element methods that has significantly improved predictions of fatigue cracking in gas turbine engines and other aerospace applications. He also contributed to the development of new methods to assess the strength of the advanced composite materials that are gradually replacing metal in aircraft structures. From 2004 through August 2007, Cruse served as the chief technologist of the Air Force Research Laboratory. He is currently working as an independent consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency and the U.S. Air Force focusing on reliability issues.
Founded in 1848, the AAAS is the world’s largest federation of scientists and includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies, serving 10 million individuals. The association works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. It conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation.
Media Contact: David F. Salisbury, (615) 343-6803
david.salisbury@vanderbilt.edu