Officials announce new chief of AF Scientific Advisory Board

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Acting secretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets selected Heidi Shyu as chair of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board on March 22. The board is an independent group that provides technical advice to Air Force leaders.

Ms. Shyu, an electrical engineer with Raytheon Company, will start her duties October 1. Ms. Shyu has been a member of the board since 2000 and has served as its vice chair since 2003.

"Ms. Shyu is superbly qualified to lead this board,” said Lt. Gen. John D. W. Corley, board military director and principal deputy, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. “She has a proven track record of successful leadership and management in technology development programs from the industry perspective. Her expertise in space and airborne systems technology development, especially in radar systems, will make an important contribution to the studies of the board."

As chair, Ms. Shyu will be responsible for the overall direction and effectiveness of the board with the assistance of the vice chair, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and other members of the steering committee. The chair will meet periodically with the secretary of the Air Force and General Jumper to report on the board's activities and to obtain guidance regarding future board activities.

The board was established in 1947 as a vital link between the Air Force and the nation's civilian, scientific and engineering communities to promote the exchange of the latest scientific and technical information that may enhance the accomplishment of the Air Force mission. Many of the recommendations in the board’s studies have been implemented by Air Force officials.

Board members include scientists, engineers, and academics, including retired military servicemembers, who are screened and interviewed by a steering committee that makes membership recommendations to the secretary of the Air Force. The secretary of the Air Force selects members on the basis of their eminence in scientific fields of interest to the Air Force. White House Liaison Office officials approve all board appointments.

"This is an example of military, industry, science and technology experts committing themselves to study, promising scientific and technological developments that enhance accomplishment of the Air Force mission," General Corley said.

Ms. Shyu received bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics from the University of New Brunswick and the University of Toronto respectively, and master's and engineers' degrees in electrical engineering from the University of California - Los Angeles.

Ms. Shyu replaces outgoing chair, Dr. Daniel E. Hastings of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

For more information on the composition, activities and operational cycle of Air Force Scientific Advisory Board studies, visit the board’s Web site at www.sab.hq.af.mil.