Being named a NAVAIR Fellow is the highest recognition within the command for scientists and engineers, said James Sheehy, Ph.D., chief scientist for the Human Systems department. ‘‘Fellows are world class experts in their areas of critical expertise,” Sheehy said. And they continue to make ‘‘significant, sustained contributions to naval aviation.”

New fellows are chosen by their peers. Names of the new fellows will be published once all selectees have been notified in writing, said Debbie Greco, who supports NAVAIR’s engineering department and is helping to organize the Fellows Program induction ceremony scheduled for this summer.

Standards are high for current and newly selected fellows. The expectation is that they will mentor and work with other professionals in their fields to encourage technical growth, Sheehy said. That way, he said, NAVAIR can ‘‘ensure that our junior engineers learn from them ... so that somebody will follow in their footsteps.”

NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Steven Eastburg, said he’s looking forward to NAVAIR Fellows lending their expertise in mentoring, community outreach, and in critical areas that ensure systems - or programs, aircraft and operations - within the fleet are successfully integrated.

‘‘They’re some of the most experienced, talented folks in the organization,” Eastburg said. ‘‘Fellows can play a very important role here.”

There are approximately 6,536 scientists and engineers in NAVAIR. Of that number, Sheehy said, 49 professionals can be selected as full fellows in the program (0.75%). Currently, there are a total of 24 full fellows.

Associate fellows represent the top three percent of NAVAIR’s scientists and engineers, and are selected by a different process in the odd years. Currently there are 131 associate fellows.

Sheehy is one of the program’s original Esteemed Fellows along with Bob Smith, who works at NAVAIR in China Lake, Calif., and Tom Lawrence and Larry Stoll, both retired from Patuxent River. The Esteemed Fellow is the highest level of recognition in the Fellows program, representing the top 0.25%. Currently there are 11 esteemed fellows.

The small group of scientists and engineers, now known as fellows, has been serving in various roles within NAVAIR since before the program was created in 2000.