A plane in a snowy landscape.

Emily Arnold Lab

 

 

I am an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Kansas. My broad research interests span the fields of aerospace structures and electromagnetics. My research currently focuses on airborne platform sensor integration and aircraft integration effects on these sensors. Long term research goals in this area include the development of multifunctional aircraft structures (primary aircraft structures that can operate as sensors) and coupled structural-EM simulation. Through my collaboration with the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS), I have focused research applications in the field airborne remote sensing of the Cryosphere. In previous work, I aided with the development and integration of sensor suites capable of ice thickness measurements, snow thickness measurements, and the mapping of internal ice layer. These sensors currently fly on the NASA DC-8 and P-3 flying laboratories in support of Operation Ice Bridge.

 

 
Close up on NASA P-3 flying.
NASA P-3 with Integrated CRESIS Radar Suite

My research also has relevance to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for remote sensing. These smaller vehicles are ideal platforms for applications of multifunctional structures since available payload volume and weight is significantly less than their larger, manned counterparts.

Diagram of Multifunctional wing concept, showing the UAV radar box and the linear antenna array in each wing.
Multifunctional wing concept for a small-class UAS

Due to the nature of my work, I often find myself travelling to both domestic and international installation and field sites. Below are various images from platform installations and field campaigns.

Emily working in a snowy area with tents in the background.
Above: Learning to build a snow cave during our “Happy Camper” training for our 2011 Antarctic Field Campaign.
Meridian UAV sitting in the snow with two people standing next to it.
Above: Preparing the Meridian UAV for its first flight of the 2011 Antarctic Field Campaign.
P-3 VHF antenna array in a garage with people working on it.
Above: Initial installation of the P-3 VHF antenna array at NASA Wallops. Since this initial installation in 2010 the P-3 has flow survey missions over Greenland during spring campaigns from 2010-2013 and one Antarctic campaign in 2013 in support of Opera
DC-8 VHF antenna array being worked on my emily.
Above: Initial installation of the DC-8 VHF antenna array at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Since this initial installation in 2009, the DC-8 has flown survey mission over Western Antarctica every fall campaign season.

I received my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 2009 and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 2013, both from the University of Kansas. During my PhD studies, I was honored to be awarded both the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship and the Amelia Earhart Fellowship. After receiving my PhD, I joined the MITRE Corporation where I worked on the Air Force’s BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communication Node) E-11A program before returning to Kansas.

I am currently accepting applications for PhD RA positions. For more information, go to our Positions page.