US Fellowship backs Lauren's aerospace research

A doctoral student researching the parallels between the strength of tree branches and the construction of aircraft has won a globally prestigious fellowship.

Lauren Burns, who is based in RMIT University's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, has been awarded a $US10,000 Amelia Earhart Fellowship.

The Fellowship was established in 1938 in honour of the pioneering US aviator Amelia Earhart, who was a member of the Zonta clubs of Boston and New York.

It is awarded annually by Zonta International, an organisation committed to advancing the status of women worldwide.

Fellows are women who display outstanding leadership and scientific skills while studying doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and engineering.

Ms Burns completed a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering at RMIT in 2008 and began her PhD in 2009. Her project is supported by Boeing Research and Technology Australia and is titled "Biomimetic Design of Aerospace Composite Joints".

Head of School, Professor Aleksandar Subic, congratulated her. "Lauren's research has the potential to contribute significantly to the design of composite aircraft structures.

"She is analysing and adopting the design of plant and animal joints, which have undergone millions of years of evolutionary adaptations and improvements."

Ms Burns said: "I am thrilled to be a recipient of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship and have my work recognised by an international organisation.

"I am currently making and testing prototype joints based on the principles of how tree branches – comprised of the natural composite wood – achieve high toughness and strength.

"Receiving the Fellowship gives me extra financial support to attend conferences and present my research on the world stage.

"I might also use some of the funds to regain my pilots licence, true to the spirit of Amelia Earhart's passion for flight."

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