Catherine H Kilmain

Catherine H Kilmain is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), part of the College of Engineering. She transitioned to academia from a 20-year career at Bell Helicopter (now Bell Flight), where she held leadership roles including Executive Vice President of Engineering. Her expertise bridges industry and academia, focusing on composite materials, structural analysis, and fatigue/fracture mechanics.

Dr. Kilmain earned her PhD, MS, and BS in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1997) and Syracuse University (1992). She actively advises students and mentors faculty, serving as Faculty Advisor for UTA’s Vertical Flight Society chapter. Her professional recognitions include the Harry T. Jensen Award (2004) and Distinguished Engineering Alumni (Georgia Tech, 2014).

Her teaching spans courses like Engineering Analysis, Aerospace Structural Statics, and Finite Element Methods. Research emphasizes composite damage tolerance and structural integrity, with publications on fracture mechanics and finite element techniques. She has held roles in professional societies such as the Vertical Flight Society and served on the Governor’s Aerospace Advisory Board (Texas).

• Key Awards: Harry T. Jensen Award (2004), Distinguished Alumni (2014)
• Service: Advisor for Vertical Flight Society, Committee Member for Structural Mechanics
• Professional Affiliations: Vertical Flight Society, American Helicopter Society