His primary areas of focus included energy, sustainment, long-range strike technologies, advanced propulsion systems, and workforce development.

Ulfila Lewis joined the faculty of the Aerospace Engineering department of the Clark School at the University of Maryland in College Park in August 1988.

He has conducted basic and applied research in, and taught many aspects of, hypersonic aerodynamics, advanced propulsion, and space vehicle design and optimization.

His work has spanned the aerospace flight spectrum, from the analysis of conventional jet engines to entry into planetary atmospheres at hypervelocity speeds.

His research activities have contributed directly to several NASA and Department of Defense programs in the areas of high-speed vehicle and spacecraft design.