Kristina Lemmer

Kristina Lemmer is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University (WMU). She leads the Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (ALPE) and mentors the Western Aerospace Launch Initiative (WALI), a student-led small satellite project. Her work focuses on experimental plasmadynamics, advanced electric propulsion systems, and plasma diagnostics for space applications.

Dr. Lemmer holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan, specializing in plasma dynamics and electric propulsion. She has secured over $4.5M in external funding from agencies like the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Her research spans spacecraft propulsion optimization, plasma diagnostic tool development, and environmental plasma applications.

Key achievements include the Young Investigator Program Award (AFOSR), 2021 WMU Emerging Scholar Award, and 2022 Outstanding Researcher Award. She serves on the board of the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society and chairs the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee.

ALPE collaborates with WALI to develop CubeSats for on-orbit plasma diagnostics. The lab emphasizes diversity and inclusion, fostering an equitable environment for student researchers. Current projects include plasma decomposition studies, propellant dynamics, and CubeSat mission design.