Kevin Lohner, Stanford University, California
The key criterion for this award is the impact, or potential for impact, of the candidate's work on current or future aeronautical or space technology. This impact might be seen in new or enhanced systems or processes or tools, new levels of performance, improved life cycle costs, new capabilities, or in other areas. The award is open to any full- or part-time engineering student in a program leading to a recognized academic degree such as BS, MS, or Ph.D. Entries consist of a 200 word summary and supporting material, which could include new patents or documented applications that have been adopted by industry, published papers or research that have won recognition from academic, professional or industrial associations. They are judged by a panel of distinguished former Boeing senior engineers. Boeing arranges free flights and accommodation for the winner of the award and an accompanying person to attend the Flight Awards ceremony. The winner is also invited to attend the Paris Air Show as a guest of Boeing.
The winner, Kevin Lohner, has already carved out a career in the aerospace industry, specialising in the development and testing of advanced materials and components. He began his academic career at Purdue University in Indiana where he gained a Bachelor of science in Materials Science and Engineering, and went on to Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he added a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He holds three patents and has published several research papers. Currently he is on educational leave of absence from his engineering role at Boeing and is due to graduate from Stanford University in California in August. He has also run 26 marathons, cycled from Canada to Mexico, and holds his diving and pilot's licences.