DE Advisory Board, Dr. Shery L. Welsh
Bio: Dr. Shery Welsh is the Executive Director of the Aerospace Center at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She joins the Center after a successful 37-year career as an engineer, scientist, and executive leading science & technology and research & development programs for the Department of Defense (DoD) supporting the Air Force, Space Force, and Missile Defense Agency. The Aerospace Center’s vision is to use its research preeminence as an engine for economic mobility and to transform the Paso del Norte region. Dr. Welsh plans to combine her extensive network with federal research agencies with the Center’s resources to deepen its research portfolio and broaden its impact.
Dr. Welsh launched her career at Sinclair Community College and earned her degrees while working. “My non-traditional path through college taught me perseverance and the importance of following one’s passion. I want to share that with Aerospace Center students as we work to broaden the aerospace engineering workforce.” She earned her PhD at the University of Alabama.
She was previously the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Director of the Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. She led the Department of the Air Force's Center of Expertise for directed energy and optical technologies and oversaw development and technology transitions in laser systems, high-power electromagnetics, weapons modeling and simulation, and directed energy and electro-optics for space superiority.
Prior to moving to New Mexico, she served as the Director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research where she led the Department of the Air Force’s global basic research investment in Arlington, Virginia, and five foreign technology offices. Other assignments included Director, Science and Technology for the Missile Defense Agency, as well as Chief Engineer for the Airborne Laser Program, Director of Target and Countermeasure Requirements, and Chief Scientist for the Interceptor Knowledge Center. She worked on many defense programs including the C-130U Gunship, C-17, Joint Strike Fighter, F-16, B-2, F-22, Airborne Laser, and the Wide-body Aerial Sensor Platform. Dr. Welsh found another passion as a part-time lecturer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her accomplishments include published articles in major scientific journals, two Rising Star Awards from the Missile Defense Agency, Junior Engineer of the Year from the Department of the Air Force, two Meritorious Civilian Service Medals, a Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, and an Outstanding Civilian Service Award.
