As the director for the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Lab (ARL) Army Research Directorate (ARD), Cynthia Bedell is responsible for the basic and applied research internal to ARL in the eleven competency areas: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences, Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences, Energy Sciences, Humans in Complex Systems, Mechanical Sciences, Military Information Sciences, Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences, Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences, Science of Extreme Materials, Terminal Effects, and Weapons Sciences. Additionally, she has technical oversight for critical cross-cutting research as well as for the state-of-the-art high performance computing assets, to include artificial intelligence computational capabilities for ARL, DA, and DoD. ARL is the U.S. Department of the Army’s foundational research laboratory, strategically placed within the Army Futures Command (AFC). Previously, as the director for DEVCOM ARL’s Computational & Information Sciences Directorate, Cindy Bedell was responsible for basic and applied research into Network and Information Sciences, Cyber Defense, and Battlefield Environments. She helped establish efforts such as the Internet of Battlefield Things, Collaborative Research Alliance and the Artificial Intelligence for Mobility and Maneuver, Essential Research Program. As the Regional Lead for ARL West, Cindy Bedell established the first remote research campus for the US Army Research Lab, in Los Angeles, thus making ARL and its researchers more accessible to academics as well as commercial business research leaders on the west coast. ARL West’s strategically focused partnership goals are to accelerate understanding and capabilities in the field of Human Information Interaction. Cindy Bedell brings with her 30 years of military experience. Prior to her military retirement, Colonel Bedell led the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Forward Element Command – Atlantic searching across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, for applicable research and emerging technologies to support current and future warfighters. She also served as the Director of Science and Technology Support for Current Operations for the System of Systems Integration Office, RDECOM. She helped develop science and technology strategies to allow the Army to address technology shortfalls in current and future war-fighting systems. As Product Manager, Sensors and Lasers, Colonel Bedell was responsible for the Soldier-borne night vision devices such as thermal sensors and sights, as well as laser pointers, rangefinders, and designators. She accelerated the engineering design cycles for several systems; to include the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle and the 25-micron Vanadium Oxide based Thermal Weapons Sight. She earned her bachelors, and masters degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Material Science and Engineering and Metallurgy. She served as an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department at the United States Military Academy. She attended the University of Texas, as a Senior Service College Fellow. Her military awards include the Legion of Merit and Parachutist Badge. She holds United States Patent 5,413,649, with Dr. David Dunand for a method to enhance superplasticity for ease in forming complex composites in materials that undergo phase transformation.

Dr. Timothy J. Bunning, a member of the Scientific and Professional Cadre of Senior Executives, is Chief Technology Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As the primary science and technology advisor to the AFRL Commander, he is responsible for assisting with the planning and execution of an annual $2.8 billion Air Force science and technology program and considerable resources executed on behalf of a variety of customers. He serves as the corporate-level science and technology interface for a government workforce of nearly 6,000 people in the laboratory's nine technology directorates and 711th Human Performance Wing.

Dr. Bunning joined AFRL in 1990 in the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate as a Ph.D. student. His research was funded through an Air Force Office of Scientific Research doctoral fellowship and conducted on-site within the directorate. After earning his doctorate and conducting post-doctoral studies at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, he spent six years as an on-site contractor in the directorate before transitioning to civil service there in 1998. He has served in numerous positions including as a bench scientist/engineer, first- and second-level supervisor and research leadership positions within the directorate between 1998 and 2015 when he was selected to be the directorate’s Chief Scientist. He served in that position until his appointment as the AFRL Chief Technology Officer.

Dr. Bunning is active in numerous technical communities and is a Fellow of AFRL, the Optical Society of America, the Society of Optical Engineering, the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Materials Research Society and the Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Division of ACS. His research interests center on responsive optical, electro-optical and photo-optical structured organic and hybrid materials and approaches for utility in optical sensing, laser beam control and filtering (modulation) applications. He has co-authored more than 300 referred papers and more than 130 proceedings, has provided editorial in several books and holds 18 patents. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and is on the editorial boards of several materials-centric journals.

EDUCATION

1987 Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs
1988 Master of Science, Chemical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs
1992 Doctor of Philosophy Chemical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs
2008 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

1. 1992–1998, Visiting Scientist/Contractor (SAIC), Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. 1998–2007, Senior/Principal Materials Research Engineer, Hardened Materials Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. 2002–2007, Research Group Leader, Hardened Materials Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. 2005–2006, Acting Chief, Hardened Materials Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. 2007–2010, Division Technical Director, Survivability and Sensor Materials Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. 2011, Developmental Sabbatical, Materials Science and Engineering Department, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
7. 2012–2015, Chief, Functional Materials Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. 2015–2020, Chief Scientist, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. 2020–present, Chief Technology Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

AWARDS AND HONORS

2001 Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer
2002 John H. Dillon Medal from the Division of Polymer Physics, American Physical Society
2004 Affiliate Society Council (Dayton) Outstanding Engineer and Scientist Award
2007 Fellow, American Physical Society
2007 Fellow, International Society for Optics and Photonics
2007 Fellow, Air Force Research Laboratory
2011 62nd Arthur S. Flemming Award, Department of Defense
2010 John L. McLucas Basic Science Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Award
2013 Fellow, Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering, American Chemical Society
2013 Fellow, Optical Society of America
2013 American Chemical Society Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Co-Operative Research Award
2016 Fellow, Materials Research Society
2017 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry
2017 Fellow, American Chemical Society
2017-2018 Class Induction, University of Connecticut’s Academy of Distinguished Engineers

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

American Physical Society
Materials Research Society
American Chemical Society
Optical Society of America
Society of Optical Engineering
International Liquid Crystal Society

Dr. Michele Gaudreault is the Deputy Chief Scientist, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force, Peterson AFB, Colorado.  She conducts scientific analysis and facilitates basic, applied, and advanced research and development needed for future systems.  She supports the Chief Scientist in his role as science and technology advisor for the command and maintains technical interfaces with space, ISR, and cyber agencies and the scientific community.  Dr. Gaudreault has over 35 years of government service, including 20 years active duty and 7 years reserve duty. She received her bachelor’s degree from MIT and her master’s and Ph. D. from AFIT.  

Dr. Halpern was appointed to the rank of Senior Executive Service (SES) in April 2019 and assigned as the Director of the Army Research Office (ARO), at Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina. In this role, Dr. Halpern is responsible for setting and executing the nationwide extramural research agenda and programs on Army focused basic research in the engineering, physical, life, mathematical, computer, and information, and social sciences to provide critical enhancements to current warfighter needs and revolutionary advances required for technological dominance of the future force with emphasis on the Army's Modernization Priorities. The ARO research portfolio exceeds over $500 million, including single investigator research (1,700 active projects performed by approximately 3,500 researchers both nationally and internationally). The research is conducted at over 250 universities, in collaboration with the Army laboratory community.

Col Janelle T.H. Jackson is the Deputy Director and Detachment 14 Commander of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Arlington, VA. In this role she leads the management of the United States Air Force’s global basic research investment. AFOSR has a staff of 200 scientists, engineers and administrators in Arlington, Virginia and foreign technology offices in London, Tokyo and Santiago, Chile. In this role, Col Jackson ensures the success of a $540 million per year basic research investment portfolio and the transition of resulting discoveries to other components of the Air Force Research Laboratory, to defense industries and to other federal agencies. The office's annual investment in basic research is distributed among roughly 200 leading academic institutions worldwide, 100 industry-based contracts, and more than 250 internal AFRL research efforts.

Col Jackson received her commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Virginia Tech. Throughout her career, she gained extensive aircraft, launch range operations, engineering, and acquisitions experience. Her assignments include multiple program offices, the intelligence community, and a myriad of legislative affairs functions. She was selected for Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) and served as Air Officer Commanding at the United States Air Force Academy where she developed officers of character and advised on fitness for commissioned service. Col Jackson also served as the Commander, 317th Recruiting Squadron, inspiring, engaging and recruiting future Airmen across Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Prior to her current assignment, Col Jackson served as the Chief, Networks Engineering Division and Military Assistant for a special access program critical to the Department of Defense and several mission partners.

Dr. Bindu Nair is the Director for Basic Research within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). In this role, she is responsible for oversight and coordination of the Department’s $2.5 billion investment in basic science. She previously served as the Deputy Director of OSD’s Human Performance, Training and Biosystems Directorate. Prior to OSD, Dr. Nair worked for the Department of the Army with oversight responsibilities over the science and technology program in power and energy. She has worked in the DoD laboratory system at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center as well as in private industry at Foster Miller. Her research expertise is in the field of Material Science and Engineering including nanomaterials, polymers, and organic electronic materials. She has published primarily in membrane and materials development fields and holds patents in fuel cell technologies. Dr. Nair holds a B.Sc. from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Materials Science and Engineering.

Dr. William P. Roach, a member of the Scientific and Professional Cadre of Senior Executives, is Chief Scientist, Air Force Office of Scientific Research Arlington Va. Dr. Roach is the principal science and technology adviser to the Director in matters of formulation, planning, managing and integration of all Air Force basic research programs. The office has a staff of roughly 200 people and an annual working budget nearly $500 million that support more than 5,000 worldwide basic research projects critical to the defense of the U.S. The office selects, sponsors, and manages research relevant to Air and Space Force needs in science and technology, and is the single manager for the entire Air and Space Force basic research programs.

Dr. Roach began his career as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force in 1971 serving with the 23rd TFW, the 388th TFW, the 90th SMW, and the 442nd TFW. He received a direct commission to Captain in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D. in Physics and assigned to the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Optical Radiation Bioeffects Division Brooks AFB, TX. Upon retirement from the active duty with the Air Force in 2005, Dr. Roach joined the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Effectiveness Directorate, Special Operations and Projects Division as a Senior Research Physicist.

Academically Dr. Roach has served as Professor of Preventative Medicine and Biometrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1996-2001, Adjunct Professor of Physics University of Texas San Antonio in 2010, Adjunct Associate Professor of Physics Delaware State University 2017-2018 and Research Professor Vanderbilt University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering 2017-2019. Dr. Roach has authored and co-authored over 175 refereed and non-refereed journal and proceedings articles, over 1000 conference presentations, technical reports, conference publications, and edited two books. Google Scholar list Professor William P. Roach as achieving 2464 Citations, an h-index of 26 and an i10-index of 48.

Ms. Heidi Shyu is the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). In this role, she serves as the Chief Technology Officer for the Department of Defense (DoD), mandated with ensuring the technological superiority of the U.S. military, and is responsible for the research, development, and prototyping activities across the DoD enterprise. She also oversees the activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the DoD Laboratory and Engineering Center enterprise, and the Under Secretariat staff focused on developing advanced technology and capability for the U.S. military.

Previously, she served as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA (ALT)), from September 2012 to January 2016. Prior to this, she was Acting ASA (ALT) beginning in June 2011 and appointed the Principal Deputy in November 2010. As the ASA (ALT), she served as the Army Acquisition Executive, the Senior Procurement Executive, the Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Army, and the Army’s Senior Research and Development official. She had principal responsibility for all Department of the Army matters related to logistics. Ms. Shyu also led the execution of the Army’s acquisition function and the acquisition management system. Her responsibilities included providing oversight for the life cycle management and sustainment of Army weapons systems and equipment from research and development through test and evaluation, acquisition, logistics, fielding, and disposition. 

Prior to her government service, Ms. Shyu was the Vice President of Technology Strategy for Raytheon Company’s Space and Airborne Systems.

Ms. Shyu holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of New Brunswick in Canada and Master of Science degrees in mathematics from the University of Toronto and System Science (Electrical Engineering) from UCLA. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of New Brunswick. She is also a graduate of the UCLA Executive Management Course Program.

A member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board from 2000 to 2010, she served as the Vice Chair from 2003 to 2005 and Chair from 2005 to 2008. Ms. Shyu is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Honorary Fellow.