The open-access online journal is produced by the publishers of the journal Nature. Its current impact factor - an indication of its relative importance in the field - is 5.078, which places it fifth among all multidisiciplinary science primary rsearch jouranls.

The Scientific Reports editorial board is comprised of experts from all of the major fields  represented across the scope of the journal. Smith's position will be in the fluid and plasma physics category.

"This appointment indicates peer recognition not only in engineering, but also in contributions to the physical sciences," Smith said. "I am very honored to be a part of this effort."

Smith, who earned her undergraduate, masters, and doctorate at GT-AE, is also on the editorial boards of the Journal of Fluids and Structures, the Journal of the American Helicopter Society, and The Aeronautical Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society.