Dr. Amy W. Lang

Education

• Ph.D., Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology, 1997
• M.S., Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology, 1994
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, 1993

Biography

Dr. Amy Lang works in the field of experimental fluid dynamics with a focus on bio-inspired flow control. She has discovered a passive, flow actuated mechanism for separation control due to the flexible nature of shortifn mako shark scales. Other research has looked at the micro-ridges of dolphin skin for separation control and the aerodynamic benefit of the roof-like shingle pattern of scales found on butterfly wings.

To support research in her laboratories, which include a water tunnel and tow tank facilities outfitted with laser diagnostic systems for flow measurement, she has been responsible in obtaining almost $3 million in funding through the National Science Foundation, Army Department of Defense, Boeing and other sources. She has an interest in exposing undergraduates to research that encourages their pursuit of a graduate degree and for 12 years has been the project director for a NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates site in fluid mechanics.

At the intersection of science and religion, she is introducing academia to the scientific philosophy of Christian Science known as deific naturalism. As a paradigm shift from matter to consciousness as the basis of reality, this Christian idealism explains that divinely spiritual causes have natural effects on the physical world whereby both modern day and Biblical miracles can be explained as divinely natural scientific demonstrations.

Honors and Awards

• The 2019 FDR prize for most outstanding paper published in the Fluid Dynamics Research journal: Wilroy, J., Wahidi, R., Lang, A., “The Effect of Butterfly-scale Inspired Patterning on Leading-Edge Vortex Growth”, Fluid Dyn. Res., 50(4): 045505 (2018)
• National Academy of Inventors (2013)
• Lindbergh Foundation Grant Recipient (2007 & 2008)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (1993-1996)
• Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship (1994)