The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAS) named Karen Thole, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, a fellow. RAS works to advance aeronautical art, science and engineering around the world. The highest grade attainable in the society, fellowship is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to — and have attained a position of high responsibility in — an aerospace or aerospace-related profession, according to RAS. 

Thole was recognized for her research in aeronautical engineering, which has led to breakthroughs in the design of internal and external cooling components in gas turbine engines that lead to longer part life. She also was recognized for founding and directing the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Lab at Penn State, founded in 2012 through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Lab and Pratt & Whitney. The lab is designed to perform turbine heat transfer studies using a state-of-the-art test turbine, along with instrumentation development and additive manufacturing to advance turbine research.