Melinda Laubach-Hock Ph.D.

Overview

As the NIAR Director of Sustainment, Melinda Laubach-Hock oversees teardown and inspection programs, airframe and ground vehicle digital twin programs, and research programs designed to integrate emerging technologies into sustainment environments, particularly military depots. Since 2002, Melinda has held various leadership roles within NIAR overseeing programs with sustainment objectives to support general aviation airframes and military airframes including AH-64D, B-1, B-52, C-5, C-130, F-16, F-18, F-35, KC-135, T-34, T-38, and UH-60 among others. Currently, Dr. Laubach-Hock serves as the NIAR Program Director for B-1, F-16, UH-60L, and AH-64D Digital Twin Programs.

Prior to joining NIAR, Melinda worked for Cessna Aircraft Company and NASA while earning her BS in Aerospace Engineering.  Since joining NIAR, Melinda has earned her MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University.

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University 
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University

Specializing in: Solid Mechanics, Damage Tolerance and Aircraft Structures, Aging Aircraft Investigations