Erica L. Corral is an associate professor and distinguished scholar of materials science and engineering at the University of Arizona. She focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of high-temperature materials for use in hypersonic applications. Corral's postdoctoral training was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories, in the Ceramic Processing and Inorganic Materials Department, in Albuquerque, NM. Her doctor of philosophy degree in materials science and her bachelor of science degree in metallurgical and materials engineering, were obtained from William Marsh Rice University, and the University of Texas at El Paso, respectively. She also holds the title and honor of distinguished scholar as an outstanding mid-career faculty who is a leading expert in her field and a highly-valued contributor to teaching, research, and outreach priorities set out by the University of Arizona. Corral has over 20 years of experience in the subject matter of manufacturing ultra-high temperature ceramics and their behavior under high enthalpy flow environments relevant to hypersonics. She also serves on the leadership team to The University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) and contributes her technical expertise on the UCAH Interim Governance Board, as co-director, and on the Consortium Engagement Board focusing on industry engagement and technology transition.