Lemmer named John O. Hallquist Endowed Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Dr. Kristina M. Lemmer, a leading researcher in plasma and electric propulsion for spacecraft, has been named a John O. Hallquist Endowed Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University. The award recognizes her exceptional professional distinction, sustained excellence in research and scholarship, and deep commitment to advancing her discipline.
Lemmer, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, joined WMU in 2012 and has consistently made significant contributions to the field while earning international recognition for her leadership within the engineering profession. Her research has fundamentally advanced the field of electric propulsion, particularly in the areas of time resolved diagnostics and green monopropellants.
“Dr. Lemmer’s appointment as the John O. Hallquist Endowed Professor reflects Western’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence in aerospace and propulsion research,” said Dr. Steve Butt, dean of WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “We celebrate this well-deserved honor and recognize her contributions to our University and the broader engineering community.”
With more than 1,500 citations, Lemmer’s work is highly influential and widely adopted. Among her most significant contributions is the development of a high-speed retarding potential analyzer diagnostic tool, which is emerging as an industry standard for measuring plasma oscillations and provides a critical capability for propulsion analysis.
Lemmer has secured more than $7.5 million in external research funding across 30 awards from agencies including the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Research Laboratory, United States Space Force and NASA.
“I am incredibly honored for this recognition and the support I have received from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and WMU in general,” says Lemmer. “I will continue to strive for excellence in my research and teaching.”
She is also known for her dedication to teaching, mentorship and student success. Lemmer has supervised the academic studies and research of many doctoral and master’s students and continues to mentor a large and diverse group of students at all levels. She has developed innovative courses and laboratory experiences that integrate cutting edge research with hands-on learning, preparing students for careers in a rapidly evolving field.
Lemmer is the second of two John O. Hallquist Endowed Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering appointments. Dr. Tianshu Liu, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was named the inaugural recipient in 2022.
Dr. John O. Hallquist earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from WMU in 1970 and went on to receive a master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University. He is the founder of the Livermore Software Technology Corporation and the creator one of the most widely used commercial finite element codes for nonlinear application, LS-DYNA. Hallquist established the two endowed professorships at WMU to honor faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to their discipline.
About Dr. Kristina Lemmer
Lemmer is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and serves on the board of directors of the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society. She has served as technical chair of the International Electric Propulsion Conference and is frequently invited to present at national and international forums.
She founded WMU’s Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments and the student organization, Western Aerospace Launch Initiative (WALI). As the faculty mentor for WALI, Lemmer guides students through the satellite design, build, test, launch and operations.
Lemmer earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan, specializing in plasma dynamics and electric spacecraft propulsion.
Learn more about the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at WMU.