Wesley L. Harris began his tenure as NAE vice president in July 2022. He is the Charles Stark Draper professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, where he was previously head of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department (2003–08). During his distinguished career, Dr. Harris has served as associate administrator for aeronautics, NASA (1993–95); vice president and chief administrative officer, University of Tennessee Space Institute (1990–93); and dean of the school of engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut (1985–90). He has also held numerous faculty and administrative positions at MIT (1972–85), including professor of aeronautics and astronautics. Dr. Harris was elected to the NAE in 1995 for contributions to understanding of helicopter rotor noise, for encouragement of minorities in engineering, and for service to the aeronautical industry. He has served as chair and member of numerous boards and committees of the NAE, NRC, NSF, US Army Science Board, USRA, and several state governments as well as the AIAA, AHS, and NTA. He is an honorary fellow of the AIAA and author of more than 130 technical papers. Dr. Harris earned a BS in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia (1964) and PhD in aerospace and mechanical sciences from Princeton University (1968).