D. Blake Stringer, Ph.D.

About Me

I’m an academic with a non-traditional academic background, meaning I haven't spent my entire career at or near an academic institution.

In 2013, I retired from the United States Army after 20 years of service, where I served as an officer, aviator, West Point instructor, and research engineer.  I retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

As a retired Army officer, I know how to lead, influence others, and execute the boss’ vision. As someone who worked in government research and development, I know how to manage a project, supervise technical professionals, and execute research. As a researcher, my funded research collaborations exceed $6M, with over 45 presentations and publications.

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Currently, as an academic at an institution of higher learning, my most important function is to produce and develop engineers capable of handling the technical challenges of the 21st Century.

My students would describe me as a great teacher but, more importantly, a positive mentor.

My colleagues would describe me as friendly, hard-working, and collaborative.

My superiors would describe me as the dependable “go-to person” when they need something done quickly and correctly.

My research interests include rotorcraft propulsion drive systems, vertical-axis wind turbines, electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) propulsion, and urban air mobility.

Finally, as a pilot and former military aviator, I know how to operate the complex systems that I teach students to build.