Lauren Burmester

Title
Assistant Professor
Email
Department
Aeronautical Science Department
College
College of Aviation

Areas of Expertise

  • Workforce Development- Aviation 
  • Pilot Shortage
  • Gender Gap in Aviation Education and Careers
  • Women in Aviation
  • Partnerships and Pathway Programs
  • Mentoring
  • Pilot and Aviation Career Development

Dr. Lauren Burmester was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania called West Wyomissing.  She learned to fly the summer before her senior year of high school at Reading Air School of Flight located at the Reading Regional Airport.  She does not come from an aviation family.  In fact, most of her family does not like to fly.  Her love of anything and everything aviation and space related started at a very early age attending air shows and watching space shuttle launches on TV.


Dr. Burmester brings over 18 years of experience in higher education and aviation to her role as an Assistant Professor in the Aeronautical Science Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach campus. She teaches a range of Aeronautical Science courses and provides specialized instruction in the High-Altitude Hypoxia Training Normobaric Chamber. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Burmester oversees the pilot and UAS partnership programs within the College of Aviation. Her research focuses on workforce development in aviation, with current projects exploring pilot pathway programs, pilot mental health, and mentoring initiatives.


She holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Capella University. Her flight experience includes Cessna 152s, 172s, T-6 Texans, and both rotor and fixed-wing small UAS platforms. Dr. Burmester also serves the university community as a Board Member on the University Disciplinary Committee Honor Board and as faculty advisor for the Dancing Eagles Club. Beyond campus, she is the Vice Chair of the Board for the iHart Flying Foundation, supporting women in aviation.


Outside of aviation, Dr. Burmester has a passion for ancient history and antiquities. She recently completed a certificate in Egyptology from the University of Oxford and is currently pursuing a diploma in Egyptian Hieroglyphics.

  • Ed.D. - Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Capella University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Aviation Aerospace Safety, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Studies: Space Studies, Aviation Safety and Business Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Ground Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration
  • The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • High Altitude Hypoxia Awareness Training - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Building Safe Organizations - Unmanned Safety Institute
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • AS 380: Plt Career Plng Intrvw Tchnqs
  • AS 120: Principles of Aeronautical Sci

AS 220 Introduction to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

ASC 101 Aeronautical Science Success

High Altitude- Hypoxia Awareness Training Lab

Burmester, L., Metscher, D., & Smith, M.(2014) Contributing Factors to High Attrition Rates in Online Educational Programs, International Journal of Professional Aviation Training & Testing Research, Vol 6, Issue 1, 1-17 

Vice Chairman of the Board, iHart Flying Foundation

Central Florida Business Aviation Association (CFBAA)

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)

Women in Aviation International (WAI)

Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUSVI)

2025 ERAU CTLE Mentor of the Year

2024 Laura Bassi Editorial Scholarship Recipient