As a senior materials research engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson, Lisa Rueschhoff specializes in ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites that can endure temperatures exceeding 2,000C encountered during high-speed aerospace flights. She is a pioneer in additive manufacturing of ceramics, and her work enhances missile technology to improve speed, accuracy, and maneuverability and significantly bolsters defensive capabilities.

Rueschhoff, who holds two patents, has effectively managed complex projects, securing $7 million in funding as PI and $17.6 million as co-PI. She is a critical member of a large AFRL effort to make morphing missile technology a reality. Through extensive modeling, topology optimization, and custom combined-loading lab and sled testing, her team developed three skins concepts that fit the thermos-mechanical demands for a range of flight conditions. She also is the project officer of the first-ever Air Force "large scope, long duration" international project agreement with the United Kingdom. Advancements so far include new bio-derived ultra-hard materials and improved processing and modeling frameworks to enhance survivability of refractory composites.

This year, she was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on standout scientists and engineers, and she is a two-time recipient of the Charles J. Cleary Scientific Award, the directorate's most prestigious honor. Her work has been published in 25 high-impact journals, and she has achieved an h-Index of 13 with 1,100+ citations. Rueschhoff is an active mentor, successfully transitioning four students to Purdue PhD programs and five mentees into Air Force government civilian positions.