Kerissa Khan MRAeS is a Trinidadian aeronautical engineer and was president of the Royal Aeronautical Society for 2023–24.[1][2]
Early life and education
editKhan grew up in Rio Claro and Mayaro, Trinidad and went to school at ASJA Primary School in Princes Town and Naparima Girls' High School.[2] She was inspired by the Concorde to pursue a career in aerospace and obtained her pilot's licence based at Piarco, Trinidad's international airport.[2] She subsequently moved to Scotland where she gained a Master of Engineering with Honours in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow in 2012.[1]
Career
editAfter leaving university, Khan joined French aerospace group Safran, eventually leading the company's UK corporate affairs.[1] Previous roles include research and development of aerospace systems for various aircraft types – the Bombardier Global 7500 being the first.[2] She also worked on the Airbus A320, A321, A330, A350, Boeing 787, Tornado and Eurofighter jets.[3] While at Safran, she was a signatory to the 2019 Women in Defence Charter, committing to work towards a more gender balanced defence industry.[4]
She is currently employed by UK Research and Innovation as Innovation Lead focusing on UKRI's "future flight challenge".[5]
In 2016, Khan was elected as the youngest ever member of the Royal Aeronautical Society's council. She was then elected president for 2023–24, becoming the second woman (after Jenny Body in 2013–14) to hold the position.[6]
Personal life
editKhan lives in London and is a Roman Catholic.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c "The RAeS President - The President's biography". Royal Aeronautical Society. Archived from the original on 2024-02-12. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b c d e Fraser, Narissa (2024-03-17). "Kerissa Khan's dreams take off: Trini engineer heads Royal Aeronautical Society". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Kerissa Khan". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Defence Community Delivers Pledge for Gender Balance (10 September 2019)". ADS Group. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Community Integration Group launches to transform aviation". www.ukri.org. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
- ^ "Kerissa Khan MRAeS elected President of the Royal Aeronautical Society". Royal Aeronautical Society. Retrieved 2024-03-21.