Dries Verstraete is a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering and an ARC Future Fellow at the University of Sydney, within the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. He received his PhD from Cranfield University in England and possesses over 20 years of experience in aeronautical engineering. After completing his PhD, he relocated to the University of Sydney, advancing from senior lecturer to his current professorial position. As the founder and director of the Sydney Propulsion Simulation Laboratory, he oversees advanced simulation and testing facilities dedicated to propulsion research. His career includes roles such as Professorial Research Fellow and contributions to aerospace design and propulsion education.

Professor Verstraete's research specializations center on sustainable propulsion systems and aircraft optimisation, particularly aimed at advancing emission-free propulsion technologies for aviation. This encompasses hybrid-electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells, and optimised systems for manned and uncrewed aerial vehicles, addressing key integration and performance challenges. He was awarded the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship in 2023, supporting his work on innovative propulsion solutions. His academic output includes over 116 publications, with more than 2,300 citations documented on Google Scholar and ResearchGate. Key publications feature 'Performance of Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review' (2024, ChemElectroChem), 'Multi-objective optimisation of semi-closed cycle engines for high-altitude UAV propulsion' (2019, Aeronautical Journal), 'Transient Temperature Effects on the Aerothermoelastic Response of a Hypersonic Vehicle' (2018, Aerospace), 'Liquid Cooling Systems for Batteries of Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft' (2024, AIAA Journal), and 'Design optimisation and comparison of propulsion systems for sustainable aviation'. Professor Verstraete leads significant projects, including the Wildu Aero Project for hybrid fuel-cell drones in remote health delivery, and contributes to public understanding through expert commentary on electric aircraft development. His influence extends to supervision of PhD candidates and student projects in low-speed aerodynamics and propulsion testing.

Professional Email: dries.verstraete@sydney.edu.au