4th ANNUAL NDSEG CONFERENCE Building and Strengthening US Doctoral Power: Embracing the Possibilities. Location: Hilton Palacio Del Rio, San Antonio Texas July 30th - August 3rd, 2023.
"Advancing National Defense Through Innovative DoD Research and Collaboration by Building and Strengthening US Doctoral Power"
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship program provides Fellows with the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in science and engineering disciplines of military importance. The NDSEG Fellowship is highly competitive and since its inception in 1989, has awarded nearly 4700 fellowships from over 70,000 applications to U.S. citizens and nationals who pursue a doctoral degree in one of fifteen supported disciplines at a U.S. institution of their choosing. Disciplines include the following: Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biosciences (includes toxicology), Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences (Note: PsyD programs are not eligible), Computer and Computational Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences (includes terrain, water, and air), Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (includes undersea systems), Oceanography (includes ocean acoustics, remote sensing, and marine meteorology), Physics (including optics) and Space Physics
The NDSEG Fellowship is sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the direction of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering
As a part of the NDSEG’s Terms of Appointment, Fellows are required to attend a conference during their tenure. This year will be the 4th Annual Conference and will represent the 2021 Class Fellows who are currently in their second year of the NDSEG sponsored program. The conference provides Fellows with an opportunity to meet and network with Current and Former Fellows, DoD Senior Officials and Scientists and Engineers, and industry Researchers as well learning about DoD employment, internships, mentorships, and other research funding opportunities. Fellows are also able to showcase their research, attend technical presentations, participate in poster sessions, visit with Exhibitors, and tour DoD sponsored research centers.
Agenda Coming Soon...
NDSEG Program Manager and, Program Coordinator for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Division, Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch
Director of Education & Workforce, Office of Naval Research
Division Chief, Technology Integration and Outreach, U.S. Army Research Office
This is a closed event. All Attendees must be invited to attend, or request approval. For conference approval or questions please send an email to ndseg@its-jv.com or submit a request.
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 the Chief Technology Officer for Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at 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. 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.
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, Virginia. 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 approximately 200 people and an annual working budget of nearly $500 million that supports 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. Jason Stack is the Director for the Ocean, Atmosphere, and Space Research Division of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). In this role, he is responsible for planning, execution, and management of integrated basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development for ONR's Science and Technology programs in physical oceanography, marine meteorology, ocean acoustics, arctic and global prediction, littoral geosciences and optics, marine mammals and biology, and space environments. The Division provides advanced, high-resolution environmental observational and prediction capabilities in support of warfare areas including anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, and naval special warfare. Dr. Stack also serves as ONR's Portfolio Manager for Autonomy. In this role, he leads ONR’s corporate strategy; manages the corresponding investment portfolio; and provides focus on transition, operationalization, and fielding for autonomy and autonomous unmanned systems. He is also appointed to the NATO Science & Technology Organization (Systems, Concepts, and Integration Panel) as the Member-at-Large for Autonomy.
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.
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.
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. 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. Shery Welsh, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Arlington, Virginia. In this role, she leads the management of the Department of the Air Force’s global basic research investment. AFOSR has a staff of 200 scientists, engineers and administrators in Arlington and foreign technology offices in London, Tokyo, Santiago, Chile and Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Welsh ensures the success of a nearly $500 million a year basic research investment portfolio and the transition of resulting discoveries to other components of the Air Force Research Laboratory, defense industries and other Defense Department components. The AFOSR’s annual investment in basic research is distributed among roughly 300 academic institutions worldwide, 100 industry-based contracts, and more than 250 internal AFRL research efforts.
Dr. Patrick J. Baker was selected for the Senior Executive Service in May 2012. In his current position within the Army Futures Command, he serves as the Director of the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Army Research Laboratory (ARL). He is responsible for setting and executing the nationwide research agenda and programs on Army-focused foundational research in the sciences of biology and biotechnology; electromagnetic spectrum; energy; extreme materials; humans in complex systems; mechanics; military information; network, cyber, & computations; photonics, electronics & quantum; terminal effects; and weapons for the purpose of operationalizing science to ensure overmatch for a lethal Army. The Laboratory team operates and partners across the United States and internationally and consists of approximately 2,000 civilian and military employees with an annual budget of over $1 billion
Career Chronology:
• December 2019 - Present: Director, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
• October 2019 – December 2019 Executive Technical Director, Data and Analysis Center
• February 2019 - October 2019: Director, Survivability Human Systems Integration Directorate, Data and Analysis Center
• August 2015 – February 2019: Director, Survivability Lethality Analysis Directorate, Army Research Laboratory, RDECOM, AMC
• May 2012 –August 2015: Director, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Army Research Laboratory, RDECOM, AMC
• Oct 2014 – Mar 2015: Acting Director, Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, RDECOM, AMC
• Dec 2009 – May 2012: Chief, Protection Division, ARL, RDECOM, AMC
• Dec 2006 – Dec 2009: Chief, Terminal Effects Division, ARL, RDECOM, AMC
• Dec 2001 - Dec 2006: Chief, Explosives Technology Branch, ARL
• Apr 1995 – Dec 2001: Mechanical Engineer, ARL
• Jan 1993 – Apr 1995: Associate Research Engineer, University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, OH
• June 1988 – Apr 1989: Mechanical Engineer, U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory
• July 1984 – Sep 1987: Engineering Trainee, U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory
Dr. Jeffrey S. Zabinski is a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and serves as the Director for Research Business Directorate (RBD), at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Dr. Zabinski leads ARL’s RBD staff with responsibility for the management and execution of all aspects of Human Capital, Intelligence and Security, Information Technology, Program Planning and Resource Management, Contracts and Acquisition, Logistics, Facilities and Infrastructure, Environmental Compliance, Analytics, and Program Management to include Strategic Partnerships and Outreach. The Directorate is responsible for the business of research that enables ARL’s foundational research eco system that is scientifically diverse and geographically dispersed and focused on operationalizing science
Prior to serving as the RBD Director, Dr. Zabinski served as the Director for the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD). Prior to these SES positions, Dr. Zabinski served as the Army’s Senior Research Scientist for Materials Science and the Chief of the Materials and Manufacturing Science Division of WMRD
Prior to ARL, he was at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) where he served in a number of capacities from bench level researcher to chief of the Nonmetallic Materials Research and the Quick Reaction Field Support Divisions.
Dr. Zabinski holds a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy from Auburn University (1990) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Florida (1982). He was also a 2008 graduate of the Air War College.
During Dr. Zabinski’s career, he has been honored as a Fellow for DEVCOM ARL since 2016, The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers since 2009, and AFRL since 2003. His professional memberships and associations include the American Vacuum Society, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, Materials Research Society, and the American Chemical Society.
Dr. Patrick Mason has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2011. He currently serves as the Department Head for Warfighter Performance at the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Arlington, VA. He is responsible for establishing, managing, evaluating, and maintaining basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development programs to meet the operational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. Areas of research funded by his Department include: artificial intelligence, autonomy, biological sciences, human-systems integration, irregular warfare, manpower, medicine related to Naval operations (undersea, surface, aerospace, marine mammals), neuroscience, socio-cultural sciences, training and education, and warfighter performance and resiliency. Dr. Mason’s team has oversight of the Navy’s Historically Black College and University/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program. Dr. Mason serves as an advisor in these areas of research to the Chief of Naval Research and other leadership in the Department of the Navy and Department of Defense. Dr. Mason serves as the ONR Coordinator for the review of Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Cases. Dr. Mason is Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering – Level III and Science & Technology Manager – Level III certified, and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. He has extensive experience interacting with Professional Staff Members from the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee on Authorization- and Appropriation-related issues.
In November 2019, Dr. Mason was selected by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) to serve as the U.S. Coordinator for the U.S.-UK Next Generation Capability Cooperation (NGCC) Pathfinder efforts. The NGCC Pathfinder efforts are championed by the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USD(R&E), Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)). The following are the four Pathfinder efforts: Undersea Warfare, Directed Energy Weapons, High Speed Weapons, and Fully Networked Command, Control, and Communications. Pathfinder teams include representatives from the Joint Staff, OUSD(R&E), OUSD(A&S), OUSD(P), OUSD(Intel and Security), OSD(Chief Information Officer), OSD(Office of General Council), Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA), and research and engineering, acquisition, international, and legal organizations within the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
Dr. Mason serves as the Chair of the OUSD(R&E) Biomedical Community of Interest (CoI) and the Human Systems CoI and serves at the senior leadership level on the Biotechnology CoI. Dr. Mason has served as a Mentor for the Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP) since 2014 and as a Mentor for the Naval Bridging the Gap (BTG) Leadership Development Program during 2018. Since 2014, Dr. Mason served as the United States representative on The Technical Cooperation Program - Human Resources and Performance (TTCP HUM) Group. He currently serves as the Executive Chair of TTCP HUM. Since 2014, Dr. Mason has served as the United States voting member on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Human Factors and Medicine (NATO HFM) Panel and is the current Chair. Since 2018, he has served as the Navy Principal Member on the U.S. – India Joint Technical Group and as the U.S. Principal on the Human Systems Working Group of the International Cooperation Engagement Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR).
During 2011-2016, Dr. Mason served as the Director of the Human Performance, Training, and BioSystems Directorate in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. His responsibilities included providing technical leadership, management oversight, policy guidance, and coordination for over $3B/year in research programs in the DoD to ensure that these areas were focused, relevant, and capable of meeting current and anticipated defense needs. Dr. Mason had purview over a broad range of research areas, including medical and life sciences, human performance optimization, human factors, human-system integration, autonomy, exoskeletons, combat feeding, chemical and biological defense, language and culture understanding, non-lethal weapon bioeffects, training, and environmental sciences. Dr. Mason was also responsible for oversight of the DoD’s animal and human use policy and regulatory affairs programs. Dr. Mason organized and served as the co-chair of the United States – Singapore Cognitive Sciences workshop (2012) and as the co-chair of the United States – Singapore Human Systems Workshop (2014). His office provided oversight of the United States – India workshops and research collaborations supporting the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) and Joint Technical Group. Dr. Mason reviewed proposed international Project Agreements, as well as documents for CFIUS Cases.
Dr. Mason participated on numerous committees within the Federal Government. Dr. Mason was the DoD representative on the White House National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He served as a co-chair of the NSTC’s Subcommittee on Toxics and Risks and as the DoD representative on the NSTC Subcommittee on Life Sciences, NSTC Subcommittee on Social, Behavior, and Economic Sciences, and NSTC Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience. Within the DoD, Dr. Mason was the OSD senior member on the following Communities of Interest: Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management (ASBREM), Autonomy, Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD), and Human Systems (HS). He was a member of the DoD Sustainability Council and serves as the AT&L Senior Language Authority on the Defense Language Steering Council. Dr. Mason served as the OSD Proponent for the Human Factors and Engineering Technical Advisory Group (HFE TAG), Deployed Warfighter Protection Program (DWPP), and Genetics and Synthetic Biology Research for Human Performance Council (GSBR HPC). He served as the Chair of the Combat Feeding Research Executive Board (CFREB) and Human Performance Optimization Committee (HPOC). Dr. Mason was a co-Chair of the Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan) Program, Irregular Warfare Senior Technical Advisory Group (IW STAG), and Joint Human Systems Integration Steering Committee (JHSISC).
EDUCATION
1980 B.A in Biology, University of California at San Diego
1980 B.A.in Psychology, University of California at San Diego
1985 Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology, McGill University, Canada
1986 - 1989 Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Pharmacology, University of Colorado
SIGNIFICANT TRAINING
2006 Air War College – Seminar
2007 Senior Executive Fellows – Harvard University – JFK School of Government
2011 Joint Executive Management Program
2011 APEX 33 Orientation Program
2012 VANGUARD Program
2018 Career Executive Leadership Program (CELP)
2022 Leadership in a Democratic Society
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1990 - 2006 Research Neuroscientist – AFRL/Human Effectiveness Directorate
2006 - 2007 Office of the Chief Scientist – AFRL/Human Effectiveness Directorate
2007 - 2009 Office of the Chief Scientist – AFRL/711th Human Performance Wing
2007 - 2009 Program Element Monitor for the Human Effectiveness Portfolio – SAF/AQR
2009 - 2010 Chief, Strategic Planning Branch – SAF/AQR
2011 - 2017 Director, Human Performance, Training, & BioSystems Directorate (SES – Tier 1)
2017 – present Department Head, Warfighter Performance, Office of Naval Research (SES – Tier 2)
2019 – 2020 Detailee to OUSD(R&E) – U.S.-U.K. Next Generation Capability Cooperation
CERTIFICATIONS
Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering – Level III
Science & Technology Manager – Level III
Member of the Defense Acquisition Corps
AWARDS AND HONORS
Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award (2008)
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2011)
OSD Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2015)
USD(AT&L) Award for Excellence – Ebola Effort (2015)
USD(AT&L) Award for Excellence – Defense Technology and Trade Initiative with India (2016)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society for Neuroscience (SfN) (1983+)
PUBLICATIONS
73 Peer-reviewed scientific publications
Dr. Peter Matic is the Associate Director of Research for the Materials Science and Component Technology Directorate at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC. His responsibilities include the technical direction, financial management and administration of over 500 scientists, engineers and staff conducting multidisciplinary research and technology development. The Directorate’s work covers materials, chemistry, biomolecular sciences, plasma and laser physics, electronics and fluid dynamics for the Navy, the Marine Corps, DoD and other government agencies. He is also the Materials and Chemistry Focus Area Coordinator for the NRL Base Research Program.
Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Matic served for five years as the Superintendent of the Materials Science and Technology Division at NRL. The Division focused on multidisciplinary research and development of fundamental materials physics, new materials-driven devices and system concepts, power and energy, materials in extreme environments, materials and biology, and materials imaging and simulation.
Dr. Matic was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in August 2013 after 28 years of federal service at NRL. He earned a bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a doctorate in Applied Mechanics from Lehigh University.
His NRL career experience includes 13 years as the Branch Head for Multifunctional Materials, two years as the Section Head for Physical and Computational Analysis, six years as the Section Head for Fracture Mechanics and seven years as a Mechanical Engineer in the Fracture Mechanics Section at NRL. His focus in these positions was the conduct and management of multidisciplinary research with a focus on materials and sea, air, ground and space defense technologies; research program development; collaborations with industry, universities and government; and staff professional development.
Dr. Matic has led or conducted programs at NRL on materials, components and systems including the biomechanics of dynamic response to blast and impact; body armor and infantry combat equipment; deformation, damage and fracture of materials and structures; mathematical and computational strategies to model complex materials and systems; integrated use of experimental data and computational simulations; and multifunctional structure-energy composite materials and components.
Prior to joining NRL, Dr. Matic was a Senior Engineer at the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation. His work there included computational modeling and the application of material damage and fracture principles to submarine structural analyses, material deformation studies to support fabrication process development, and finite element analyses supporting studies of submarine ice breakthrough scenarios.
His awards include the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, 2006; NRL Review Publication Award, 2004; NRL Technology Transfer Royalty Award for Innovation, 2003; American Society of Naval Engineers, Jimmie Hamilton Best Paper Award, 1989; and NRL Alan Berman Research Publication Award, 1989.
Dr. Matic has over 45 refereed publications and proceedings, over 50 contributed conference proceedings, over 70 invited and contributed presentations, over 20 technical reports and four patents. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses as an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University and is a member of Sigma Xi.
