AFRL researcher awarded for contributions to biological materials research

  • Published
  • By Holly Jordan
  • AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Dr. Wendy Goodson of the AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate was honored with the Affiliate Societies Council's Outstanding Engineers and Scientists Award at the 57th Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony at the University of Dayton campus on April 21, 2016. 

Goodson was recognized for her breakthrough research in biological and bio-inspired materials.  Mr. Thomas Lockhart, director of the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, served as guest speaker for the event, which honors engineers and scientists from throughout the Miami Valley for their contributions to their fields.

Goodson is the Research Team Leader for the Biological Materials Research Group.  She leads an in-house research team to study and derive solutions to biologically-induced problems and develop novel biologically-inspired designs that improve upon existing products.

A graduate of Boston University with a degree in marine science, Goodson completed her doctoral studies in biology at the University of Michigan and post-doctoral research at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.  She began working with the AFRL Biological Materials Group in 2005 as a contractor, joining AFRL in 2008 in the Microbial Contamination of Materials Research Group.  Here, she established an expert research team and has garnered over $5 million in research and development funds.

A recognized world-class leader in her field, Goodson played a vital role in the development and demonstration of the Joint Biological Agent Decontamination System, which helps eliminate biocontaminants from aircraft safely and quickly without putting aircrews and support personnel at risk of exposure.  Goodson also leads research into bio-inspired optical materials.  She discovered reflectin, a protein used by some marine animals to manipulate incident light that may prove useful in advanced commercial and military optics.

Goodson has been recognized throughout the research community for her work and is an active member of numerous professional societies.  She has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and is a frequent invited guest speaker at professional events and symposia. 

"I'm honored and humbled to receive this award," Goodson said.  "There are a lot of talented scientists and engineers who have won it before me, and it's amazing to join their ranks.   None of it would have been possible, though, without the support I have behind me--my family, especially my husband, Mike, and my awesome research team at AFRL."

The Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton was founded in 1966 to provide opportunities for practicing engineers, scientists and technologists to pursue continuing professional educational opportunities.   Today, the ASC consists of over 15,000 members from approximately 55 professional societies and   provides career guidance for K-12 students, recognizes outstanding contributions in technology and management disciplines, and promotes a close working relationship among affiliated societies