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. 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. Irina Pala is the Deputy Division Chief for the Science and Engineering Division within the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). She leads a team of 52 scientists and engineers and is responsible for developing strategies and initiatives to ensure that the Air Force and the Space Force are at the forefront of science and technology through actively managing a $500 million/year cutting edge basic research portfolio. AFOSR interacts with leading scientists and engineers throughout the world to identify breakthrough opportunities and transition the resulting discoveries to other components of the Air Force Research Laboratory, to defense industries, and other federal agencies.Previously, Dr. Pala was a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Naval Research (ONR), where she provided management and program support to ONR leadership in the development of a cohesive Naval Basic Research policy and developed the strategy and processes needed to conduct programmatic and technical assessments of the $700 million/year Basic and Applied Research portfolio to ensure research breadth, quality and balance.Dr. Pala was an American Association of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow in the Office of the S&T Adviser to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of State, where she worked at the intersection of science, technology, innovation, education, and foreign policy. She also initiated and developed international research & capacity building partnerships for science and innovation, with a focus on bringing more women and girls into STEM fields. Dr. Pala obtained a B.S. in Chemistry in 2006 from University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2012 from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She was then the recipient of a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct research at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, where she investigated novel thin film transparent conductive materials and new recharging battery chemistries and architectures. Her research has involved collaborations with international partners and has included field work with US and international students. Dr. Pala has published research articles in high-impact journals and given numerous presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

Dr. Leslie M. Blaha is the Deputy Chief Scientist, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Arlington, VA. Dr. Blaha is the deputy science and technology adviser to the AFOSR Director and Chief Scientist in matters of formulation, planning, managing and integration of all Air Force basic research programs, with an emphasis on the Air Force Research Laboratory’s intramural programs. The office has a staff of over 200 personnel assigned and an annual working budget $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 basic science and engineering relevant to Air and Space Force needs in science and technology, and is the Air Force Research Laboratories single manager for the all Air and Space Force basic research programs.

Dr. Blaha began her career with the Air Force in 2010 in the Battlespace Visualization Branch, Warfighter Interfaces Division, Human Effectiveness (now Airman Systems) Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio. Dr. Blaha has been Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on over $11 million in sponsored basic and fundamental applied research emphasizing cognitive modeling for human-machine teaming in adaptive training, visual analytics, and decision-making systems to pioneer national security and defense mission future capabilities. She has worked in the areas of human-machine mutual understanding, interactive machine learning, interactive streaming analytics for intelligence analysis, cybersecurity and insider threat, social network analysis, aircraft integrity analysis, and real-time operator state assessment. Passionate about mentoring, she has mentored over 30 trainees, from high school to postdoctoral research level. Dr. Blaha was awarded an Early Career Impact Award from the Federation of Associations for Brain and Behavioral Sciences in 2018. She serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Society for Mathematical Psychology and is a co-founder of the Women of Mathematical Psychology. She has authored or co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and edited a two-volume book (h-index 11; i10-index 14).

Prior to assuming her current position, Dr. Blaha served as the acting Training Core Technical Competency Lead, in addition to serving as principal investigator for Human and Machine Co-Learning, Airman Systems Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory. Embedded at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), she serves as the lead for the CMU Operating Location, fostering university collaborations in the areas of Cognitive Modeling for Human-Autonomy Teaming. In addition, Dr. Blaha serves as the Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s senior subject matter expert and independent researcher in the development theory-driven models and methodologies, together with new methods for test and evaluation of models, for human-autonomy teaming across all missions of the Department of the Air Force.

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.

Dr. Patrick J. Baker, Director DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, 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. Education: • PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University • MS, Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University • BS, Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University SIGNIFICANT TRAINING: • Acquisition Certified Level III – Science and Technology Management and Engineering AWARDS AND HONORS: • Exceptional Civilian Service Award, 2012 • Meritorious Civilian Service Award, 2008 • The Technical Cooperation Panel, Distinguished Service Award, 2018 • Army’s Greatest Invention Award, 2008 • Joint Army Navy NASA Air Force – Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee, Outstanding Sustained Contribution Award, 2002 MAJOR PUBLICATIONS: • Dr. Baker has authored or co-authored approximately sixty publications and reports.

Ellen M. Robinson is a Senior General Engineer in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Division, Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch, Arlington, VA. Mrs. Robinson has served over eight years as a Program Manager for AFOSR STEM workforce development initiatives within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) enterprise. She manages the AFRL Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP), the AFOSR Young Investigators Research Program (YIP), and the AFOSR Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE). Mrs. Robinson also serves as the AFRL Program Manager and the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Manager for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) Program. She currently serves as the Contracting Officer Representative for two STEM fellowship program contracts. These programs are crucial in developing and bolstering the DoD STEM future pipeline for scientists and engineers (S&Es) in DoD relevant research areas and shaping future DoD research needs. These programs also support post-docs and senior researchers whose research aligns and supports the DoD and Department of the Air Force (DAF), including the United States Space Force, missions. In these roles, she develops STEM workflow development policies in innovative, high risk high reward research, plans and executes budgets totaling over $200M annually for early career scientists and engineers and STEM graduate scholars. Since joining the Air Force as a civilian in November 1989, Mrs. Robinson has served in several roles in the Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory including avionics design and laser optical communications design engineer, business and financial management, strategic development planning and programming. Prior to her current assignment, Mrs. Robinson was Deputy Program Manager in the STEM development office where she developed an AF wide K-12 AF STEM Outreach education program establishing policies and programs to interest K-12 students in STEM academic studies and careers of AF mission needs. She was instrumental in establishing the AF blueprint in the DoD STEM portfolio. She also co-authored with her DoD sister services STEM workforce development initiatives for near, mid, and far term. She has used her depth of experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and execution in forecasting specific STEM needs vital for the future workforce as it relates to DoD and DAF missions. EDUCATION 1989 BS, Electrical Engineering, Hampton University, Hampton, VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. 1989 – 1993, Avionics Design Engineer, Technology Exploitation Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), OH 2. 1993 – 1998, Electronics Engineer, Strategic Planning Division, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3. 1998 – 2001, Business Manager, Electro-Optics Sensor Technology Division, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 4. 2002 – 2006, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Plans and Programs Division, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 5. 2006 – 2007, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Requirements Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 6. 2007 – 2011, AFSO21 Program Manager, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 7. 2011 – 2011, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 8. 2011 – 2013, Deputy Program Manager, AF Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Outreach Division, Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition), Arlington, VA 9. 2013 – Present, Program Manager, Science and Engineering Division, AFOSR, Arlington, VA AWARDS AND HONORS Technology All Star Award, Women of Color STEM, 2021 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Aug 2019 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Jun 2019 Modern Technology Leader Award, Black Engineer of the Year, 2004 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS DoD Level A, Contracting Officer Representative DoD Level III, Science and Technology Management DoD Level III, Systems, Planning, Research, Development & Engineering DoD Level I, Program Management DoD Level I, Test and Evaluation Black Belt, Six Sigma Certified Green Belt, Six Sigma Certified (Current as of Apr 23)

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. 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.

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 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 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.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 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. 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.

Dr. Michele Gaudreault is the Chief Scientist, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force, Peterson SFB, Colorado.  She serves as the Scientific Adviser to the Commander, Space Operations Command. As a primary interface to the scientific community, SpOC/ST identifies promising technologies and catalyzes rapid, effective enhancements to SpOC's warfighting capabilities.  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. 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.

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 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 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.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 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. 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.

Dr. Michele Gaudreault is the Chief Scientist, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force, Peterson SFB, Colorado.  She serves as the Scientific Adviser to the Commander, Space Operations Command. As a primary interface to the scientific community, SpOC/ST identifies promising technologies and catalyzes rapid, effective enhancements to SpOC's warfighting capabilities.  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. 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. Barton H. HalpernDirectorArmy Research OfficeU.S. Army Research LaboratoryResearch Triangle ParkDurham, NCDr. 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), DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, 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 $750 million, including single investigator research (1,300 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.CAREER CHRONOLOGY:• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Chairman for NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG) – [2020- Present]• Chief Technology Officer, Joint Service Small Arms Program, U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center [2009-2019]• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Chairman for System Analysis and Studies – 145, Soldier System Weapon & Equipment Assessment Tool [2017-2019]• NATO Industrial Study Group Advisor, NIAG – 228, Examination of Networked Small Arm Weapons & Fire Control On the Battlefield [2018-2019]• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Chairman for the Land Capability Group Dismounted Soldier System, Weapons and Sensors Sub Group [2013-2019]• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Chairman for the Land Capability Group Dismounted Soldier System, Weapons and Sensors Sub Group [2013-2019] – Team of Experts SME – Sensors, Suppressors, D-14 Small Arms Testing, STANAG 4512, STANREC 4513, STANAG 4740, STANREC 4796• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Vice - Chairman for the Land Capability Group Dismounted Soldier System, Weapons and Sensors Sub Group [2012-2013]• North Atlantic Treaty Organization, U.S. Head of Delegation for the Land Capability Group Dismounted Soldier System, Weapons and Sensors Sub Group [2011-2013]• Business Transformation Chief, Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications Tactical [2008-2009]• Deputy Project Manager, Project Manager Tactical Radio Communications Systems, Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications Tactical [2004-2008]• Technical Management Division Chief, Project Manager, Tactical Radio Communications Systems, Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications Tactical [2003-2004]• Branch Chief, Project Manager Warfighter Information Network - Tactical [2002-2003]• Project Leader, Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate, US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center [2000- 2002]• Senior Systems Engineer, Scientific Research Corporation [1998-2000]• Senior Project Leader, Boy Scouts of America, George Washington Council, San Gabriel Council and Orange County Council [1989-1998]• Design Engineer, Northrop Corporation, B-2 Division [1988-1989]• Test Engineer, Naval Weapons Handling Center, Air Launched Weapons, Naval Station Earle [1985-1988]• Student Trainee, Satellite Communications Agency, Test and Evaluation Branch, Fort Monmouth [1981-1983]COLLEGE:• Doctor of Philosophy, Organization and Management, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2008)• Master of Technology Management, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey (2000)• Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut (1984)CERTIFICATIONS:• Army Acquisition Corps Program Management (DAWIA Level III)• Army Acquisition Corps Systems Planning, Research Development & Engineering (DAWIA Level III)• Army Lean Six Sigma Black BeltAWARDS AND HONORS:• Commanders Award for Civilian Service, 2014, 2020• Superior Civilian Service Award, 2008• Superior Civilian Service Award, 2006• Commanders Award for Civilian Service, 2004• Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, 2002PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:• Army Acquisition Corps• Academy of Management• National Defense Industrial Association

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.

Dr. Michele Gaudreault is the Chief Scientist, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force, Peterson SFB, Colorado.  She serves as the Scientific Adviser to the Commander, Space Operations Command. As a primary interface to the scientific community, SpOC/ST identifies promising technologies and catalyzes rapid, effective enhancements to SpOC's warfighting capabilities.  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.  

Ellen M. Robinson is a Senior General Engineer in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Division, Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch, Arlington, VA. Mrs. Robinson has served over eight years as a Program Manager for AFOSR STEM workforce development initiatives within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) enterprise. She manages the AFRL Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP), the AFOSR Young Investigators Research Program (YIP), and the AFOSR Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE). Mrs. Robinson also serves as the AFRL Program Manager and the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Manager for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) Program. She currently serves as the Contracting Officer Representative for two STEM fellowship program contracts. These programs are crucial in developing and bolstering the DoD STEM future pipeline for scientists and engineers (S&Es) in DoD relevant research areas and shaping future DoD research needs. These programs also support post-docs and senior researchers whose research aligns and supports the DoD and Department of the Air Force (DAF), including the United States Space Force, missions. In these roles, she develops STEM workflow development policies in innovative, high risk high reward research, plans and executes budgets totaling over $200M annually for early career scientists and engineers and STEM graduate scholars. Since joining the Air Force as a civilian in November 1989, Mrs. Robinson has served in several roles in the Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory including avionics design and laser optical communications design engineer, business and financial management, strategic development planning and programming. Prior to her current assignment, Mrs. Robinson was Deputy Program Manager in the STEM development office where she developed an AF wide K-12 AF STEM Outreach education program establishing policies and programs to interest K-12 students in STEM academic studies and careers of AF mission needs. She was instrumental in establishing the AF blueprint in the DoD STEM portfolio. She also co-authored with her DoD sister services STEM workforce development initiatives for near, mid, and far term. She has used her depth of experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and execution in forecasting specific STEM needs vital for the future workforce as it relates to DoD and DAF missions. EDUCATION 1989 BS, Electrical Engineering, Hampton University, Hampton, VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. 1989 – 1993, Avionics Design Engineer, Technology Exploitation Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), OH 2. 1993 – 1998, Electronics Engineer, Strategic Planning Division, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3. 1998 – 2001, Business Manager, Electro-Optics Sensor Technology Division, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 4. 2002 – 2006, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Plans and Programs Division, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 5. 2006 – 2007, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Requirements Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 6. 2007 – 2011, AFSO21 Program Manager, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 7. 2011 – 2011, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 8. 2011 – 2013, Deputy Program Manager, AF Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Outreach Division, Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition), Arlington, VA 9. 2013 – Present, Program Manager, Science and Engineering Division, AFOSR, Arlington, VA AWARDS AND HONORS Technology All Star Award, Women of Color STEM, 2021 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Aug 2019 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Jun 2019 Modern Technology Leader Award, Black Engineer of the Year, 2004 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS DoD Level A, Contracting Officer Representative DoD Level III, Science and Technology Management DoD Level III, Systems, Planning, Research, Development & Engineering DoD Level I, Program Management DoD Level I, Test and Evaluation Black Belt, Six Sigma Certified Green Belt, Six Sigma Certified (Current as of Apr 23)

Reggie Williams is the program manager for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP), Research Opportunities for Program Officers (ROPO), In-house Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR), Independent Applied Research (IAR), Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) for undergraduate and graduate students, and the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) for high school students. He also manages the OUSD Basic Research Office Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (VBFF) funding opportunity announcement and grant awards. Previously he managed programs in the Propulsion and Power Engineering competency at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River, MD. His assignments included managing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs, high-speed engine technology demonstrators, and turbine engine analysis.In private industry, Dr. Williams managed technology programs and conducted experimental and computational research in advanced propulsion integration for industrial, commercial, and military applications. Dr. Williams received his PhD, MS, and BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Katie A. H. Wisecarver is a Senior Research Psychologist in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch, Arlington, VA. She has over 13 years of civilian service as a Program Manager in the Air Force Research Laboratory enterprise. Ms. Wisecarver works directly with a multi-agency, multi-service team to execute basic research and technology transition efforts on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Ms. Wisecarver serves as the AFOSR Program Manager and the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Manager for the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP), building capacity across the DAF (including US Space Force) in areas of importance to DoD strategic basic science and technology goals. She also manages the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) for AFOSR, bringing multidisciplinary research teams together to tackle the critical basic research needs facing the DAF and DoD through very-high risk, high-reward research projects. In these roles, she helps shape the future force and meet the technology needs of tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force by growing the DoD research base, providing big-win research capacity, and stimulating the growth of emerging technologies via accelerated transition of findings to practical applications. She is also a certified Master Resiliency Trainer for the AF and a nationally certified victim advocate with the AF Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program. Prior to her current position, Ms. Wisecarver served in several roles at AFOSR including: Program Manager for the Defense Enterprise Science Initiative (DESI) pilot program, bringing together industry and university teams for rapid innovation; Program Manager for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Small Grants Program, supporting research for AFIT faculty and students; and Program Manager for the Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE) program, a collaborative effort between DoD and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Ms. Wisecarver also served as an Assistant Program Manager for life sciences portfolios and a contracting officer’s representative. She is also experienced in STEM outreach, business management, and strategic planning.

David M. Stepp serves as the Chief Scientist at the DEVCOM ARL Army Research Office (ARO). In this role, he functions as the ambassador and lead interface between ARO and the scientific community. He provides technical direction, advice and guidance on basic research plans and programs ensuring an innovative and future focused scientific effort. He serves as the principal scientific/technical advisor and principal for ensuring technical excellence of the scientific portfolio. He also manages the Office of the Chief Scientist, which includes four science integration officers, providing overall ARO extramural strategy and stakeholder engagement, including overseeing future priorities, strategic communication, and planning to direct scientific discoveries for future Army needs.Prior to this role, Dr. Stepp served as the Director of Engineering Sciences (overseeing the Electronics, Materials Science and Mechanics Divisions at ARO), as the Chief of the Materials Science Division, and as the program manager for the Mechanical Behavior of Materials extramural basic research program. Dr. Stepp was also selected to serve as the Acting Director of ARO from June 2018 until April 2019. He began his career at ARO in 1999. Dr. Stepp has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science since 1999, where he is conducting research exploring fundamental microstructure-property relationships in transparent polymers and fragmentation in transparent engineering materialsDr. Stepp earned a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Harvey Mudd College.

Mr. Karasek is the Supervisory Intellectual Property Counsel for the Office of Naval Research, where he supervises a staff of four intellectual property attorneys and three paralegals.  He is responsible for the entire range of intellectual property issues that arise at ONR, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, IP clauses in the FAR and DFARS, and technology transfer matters.  Prior to his arrival at ONR, he was an intellectual property attorney for the Naval Research Laboratory from 1991 to 2009.  His last position at NRL was Associate Counsel, Intellectual Property, supervising a staff of ten intellectual property attorneys and five support staff. In that capacity, he supervised the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications in the US and other jurisdictions around the world. He was the principal legal advisor to the NRL Commanding Officer and Director of Research on all intellectual property matters, and managed the NRL intellectual property portfolio.

 

Mr. Karasek is a frequent invited speaker on intellectual property matters. He has testified as an expert witness on the standard of care in patent prosecution.  He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute’s “Leadership for a Democratic Society” program.  He is a recipient of the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Since 2014, Mr. Karasek has served as a board member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the largest professional fraternity for lawyers and law students.

 

Mr. Karasek attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1986.  Mr. Karasek graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1991, cum laude. 

 

He is a member of the bar of Pennsylvania and is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Dr. Daniel J. Zelik is the Assistant Chief Scientist of the 711th Human Performance Wing (711HPW) of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio. Dr. Zelik is the primary science and technology advisor to the 711HPW Chief Scientist as well as to technical leadership in the Airman Systems / Human Effectiveness Directorate (RH) and U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM). In this position he provides technical vision and strategy for the Wing’s science and technology plans. The Wing is comprised of over 2000 personnel in more than 70 occupational series, spread across eight operating locations, with an annual budget in excess of $300M.

Prior to his current duties, Dr. Zelik served as Technical Advisor for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Mission Analytics Branch and Research Lead for the 711th Human Performance Wing Systems Analytics Core Research Area. In this capacity he led the creation of a new Airmen-centered data analytics portfolio unique to the Air Force and provided technical guidance, oversight, and mentorship for 100+ civilian, military, contractor, and academic scientists and engineers supporting annual research in excess of $8M. Dr. Zelik began his career with the Air Force in 2014 as a Senior Cognitive Systems Engineer. In this role he led multiple high-visibility and high-impact research and development efforts, secured over $3.5M in outside funding, authored 12 conference publications and technical reports, and developed technologies that delivered new or enhanced mission capability to intelligence analysts and warfighters across the Department of Defense.

Dr. Zelik earned graduate degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering (focus in Cognitive Systems Engineering) from The Ohio State University and undergraduate degrees in Industrial Engineering and Psychology from Iowa State University of Science and Technology. He has over 15 years of experience in government, industry, and academia applying Cognitive Systems Engineering to design, develop, and assess human-centric technologies for data analysis and decision making. His research interests include how professional intelligence analysts assess analytic rigor, cope with data overload, and overcome challenges to effective sense-making.

Ellen M. Robinson is a Senior General Engineer in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Division, Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch, Arlington, VA. Mrs. Robinson has served over eight years as a Program Manager for AFOSR STEM workforce development initiatives within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) enterprise. She manages the AFRL Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP), the AFOSR Young Investigators Research Program (YIP), and the AFOSR Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE). Mrs. Robinson also serves as the AFRL Program Manager and the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Manager for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) Program. She currently serves as the Contracting Officer Representative for two STEM fellowship program contracts. These programs are crucial in developing and bolstering the DoD STEM future pipeline for scientists and engineers (S&Es) in DoD relevant research areas and shaping future DoD research needs. These programs also support post-docs and senior researchers whose research aligns and supports the DoD and Department of the Air Force (DAF), including the United States Space Force, missions. In these roles, she develops STEM workflow development policies in innovative, high risk high reward research, plans and executes budgets totaling over $200M annually for early career scientists and engineers and STEM graduate scholars. Since joining the Air Force as a civilian in November 1989, Mrs. Robinson has served in several roles in the Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory including avionics design and laser optical communications design engineer, business and financial management, strategic development planning and programming. Prior to her current assignment, Mrs. Robinson was Deputy Program Manager in the STEM development office where she developed an AF wide K-12 AF STEM Outreach education program establishing policies and programs to interest K-12 students in STEM academic studies and careers of AF mission needs. She was instrumental in establishing the AF blueprint in the DoD STEM portfolio. She also co-authored with her DoD sister services STEM workforce development initiatives for near, mid, and far term. She has used her depth of experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and execution in forecasting specific STEM needs vital for the future workforce as it relates to DoD and DAF missions. EDUCATION 1989 BS, Electrical Engineering, Hampton University, Hampton, VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. 1989 – 1993, Avionics Design Engineer, Technology Exploitation Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), OH 2. 1993 – 1998, Electronics Engineer, Strategic Planning Division, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3. 1998 – 2001, Business Manager, Electro-Optics Sensor Technology Division, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 4. 2002 – 2006, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Plans and Programs Division, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 5. 2006 – 2007, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Headquarters Requirements Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 6. 2007 – 2011, AFSO21 Program Manager, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 7. 2011 – 2011, Senior Plans and Programs Engineer, Sensors Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 8. 2011 – 2013, Deputy Program Manager, AF Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Outreach Division, Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition), Arlington, VA 9. 2013 – Present, Program Manager, Science and Engineering Division, AFOSR, Arlington, VA AWARDS AND HONORS Technology All Star Award, Women of Color STEM, 2021 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Aug 2019 Department of Defense Award of Appreciation, Jun 2019 Modern Technology Leader Award, Black Engineer of the Year, 2004 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS DoD Level A, Contracting Officer Representative DoD Level III, Science and Technology Management DoD Level III, Systems, Planning, Research, Development & Engineering DoD Level I, Program Management DoD Level I, Test and Evaluation Black Belt, Six Sigma Certified Green Belt, Six Sigma Certified (Current as of Apr 23)

Reggie Williams is the program manager for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP), Research Opportunities for Program Officers (ROPO), In-house Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR), Independent Applied Research (IAR), Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) for undergraduate and graduate students, and the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) for high school students. He also manages the OUSD Basic Research Office Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (VBFF) funding opportunity announcement and grant awards. Previously he managed programs in the Propulsion and Power Engineering competency at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River, MD. His assignments included managing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs, high-speed engine technology demonstrators, and turbine engine analysis.In private industry, Dr. Williams managed technology programs and conducted experimental and computational research in advanced propulsion integration for industrial, commercial, and military applications. Dr. Williams received his PhD, MS, and BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Katie A. H. Wisecarver is a Senior Research Psychologist in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch, Arlington, VA. She has over 13 years of civilian service as a Program Manager in the Air Force Research Laboratory enterprise. Ms. Wisecarver works directly with a multi-agency, multi-service team to execute basic research and technology transition efforts on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Ms. Wisecarver serves as the AFOSR Program Manager and the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Manager for the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP), building capacity across the DAF (including US Space Force) in areas of importance to DoD strategic basic science and technology goals. She also manages the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) for AFOSR, bringing multidisciplinary research teams together to tackle the critical basic research needs facing the DAF and DoD through very-high risk, high-reward research projects. In these roles, she helps shape the future force and meet the technology needs of tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force by growing the DoD research base, providing big-win research capacity, and stimulating the growth of emerging technologies via accelerated transition of findings to practical applications. She is also a certified Master Resiliency Trainer for the AF and a nationally certified victim advocate with the AF Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program. Prior to her current position, Ms. Wisecarver served in several roles at AFOSR including: Program Manager for the Defense Enterprise Science Initiative (DESI) pilot program, bringing together industry and university teams for rapid innovation; Program Manager for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Small Grants Program, supporting research for AFIT faculty and students; and Program Manager for the Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE) program, a collaborative effort between DoD and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Ms. Wisecarver also served as an Assistant Program Manager for life sciences portfolios and a contracting officer’s representative. She is also experienced in STEM outreach, business management, and strategic planning.

Dr. Michael Simpson is the Naval STEM Grants Program Officer. Inspiring, developing, connecting, and maintaining access with people able to make Naval-important discoveries and solve problems is a major purpose of the program, as is relating with other STEM programs across DoD, governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and academe. Michael was selected as a Naval civilian on 29 December 2014. The convergence of expertise in Dr. Simpson’s experience is ideally suited to the work.Prior to Naval STEM, Dr. Simpson directed the STEM program at the Computer Sciences Corporation where he integrated CSC’s STEM work with their corporate social responsibility and workforce development and delivery programs, as well as their Science Fellows program, all to ensure that the then-98,000 person global organization had the people it needed to make discoveries and solve problems of its clients, many of which were US Governmental including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.Dr. Simpson was the American Association for the Advancement of Science US Congressional Research Service Science Fellow in 1981. Michael was an analyst then headed the Life Sciences and Biomedical Policy Sections of CRS. Sound science advice to the US Congress was the result of this work.Dr. Simpson adjunct-taught fifty-nine sessions of upper-division undergraduate science policy to students from across the US interning in the Washington DC area, through The Washington Center. Michael Simpson’s Doctorate in Environmental Sciences and Engineering was earned in 1987 at the University of California at Los Angeles. UC Berkeley is where he earned his Master of Science in 1979 in Energy and Resources. Michael earned his Master of Science in Biological Sciences in 1977 at the University of San Francisco. UC Berkeley is where he earned his Artis Baccalaureate in Biological Sciences in 1976. Michael grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and where he was born, Honolulu Hawaii.

Michael J. Caccuitto III serves as the branch chief for Technology Integration and Outreach in the Office of Cross Competency Program Integration at the Army Research Office (ARO). The outreach programs he oversees manage more than $100 million per year in program activity.

Those programs, designed to encourage and advance science and technology transfer, include: programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI), Educational Outreach Programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program for ARO as well as an Army-wide STTR program. 

Prior to joining ARO, Mr. Caccuitto served as the administrator of the SBIR and STTR programs for the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). He was responsible for policy, oversight and administration of the programs with a combined budget of more than $1 billion across the DoD. Before that, he worked in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, focusing on improving DoD access to innovation and emerging suppliers, and providing financial analysis to support industry merger and acquisition review. 

Mr. Caccuitto began his career as an officer in the US Air Force in a variety of research & development, acquisition program management and staff roles, retiring from the AF Reserve in February 2017.  He received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

Mr. Caccuitto holds a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a bachelor’s degree in optics with high distinction from the University of Rochester.

ARO is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, the Army's corporate research laboratory also known as ARL.

 

 

I am a research scientist at the Army Research Laboratory, currently on sabbatical in 2023 collaborating with several organizations in the greater Chicago area. As a senior scientist at ARL, I strive to discover, innovate, collaborate, and uncover new scientific insights, then translate those into practice. I am proud to be an engineer, scientist, leader, manager, teacher, mentor, and lifelong learner. My interests span from science & engineering to computer science to business (leadership, management, organizations) to social sciences (sociology, psychology, behavioral economics). Education. I earned my first degrees summa cum laude in Metallurgical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. My DoE-funded manufacturing research uncovered the mechanisms of defect formation in the lost foam casting process, which earned me the Best Paper Award at the American Foundry Society conference. During my PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, I was funded by NSF graduate research fellowship to investigate atomic-scale mechanisms and solid mechanics related to grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials, resulting in the Best PhD dissertation award and the top Engineering Mechanics award. Prior Roles. Before joining ARL in 2012, I spent four years in manufacturing R&D at GM Powertrain, two years in high temperature material sustainability and mechanics at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and over four years as faculty in the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems at Mississippi State University, where I was honored with the Mississippi State Pride Faculty Award for excellence in research, teaching, and service. Research. My research interests are at the intersection of computer science, engineering, social science, and business. My past research focus was on the realm of accelerated materials design, combining material microstructure, modeling and simulation, data science, machine learning, and design optimization. I have published over 180 papers in journals, conference proceedings, and technical reports, with more than 6,000 citations for my 100+ peer-reviewed journal papers in materials science, mechanics, computational science, and design (Google Scholar, h-factor of 45). I have given over 280 presentations and seminars, including more than 150 invited talks/seminars at national/international conferences, universities, and other venues. My career contributions to science have been recognized with multiple awards: the Silver Medal Award from ASM International in 2016, a Fellow of ASME (mechanical engineering) in 2017, a Fellow of ASM International (materials science) in 2018, and an ARL Fellow in 2021 (top 1.5% of ARL scientists). I am passionate about learning, science, mentorship, collaboration, and making a broad impact for the Army. “Think differently” As part of this broad impact, I was the first to lead the Army Research Laboratory’s new regional site model within the Midwest—ARL Central—in Chicago, resulting in increased ARL presence with staff scientists, new collaborative research programs, and new partnerships in the Midwest, such as the Midwest Defense Innovation Hub. “Engage differently” Another part of this broad impact is educating others on the math, concepts, and application of AI and ML with popular culture references in my recent Star Wars-infused “Machine Learning for Everyone: May the Course Be with You” short course, which has had over 2000 participants (mostly from the DoD) reinforce their ML journey, earning me the 2022 ARL Honorary Award for Impactful Communication and Department of the Army medal. As a generalist with breadth across many disciplines and roles, I bring a diverse Range of experience and perspective to opportunities. I am a learner, achiever, problem solver, analytical thinker, and activator – always ready to take action and make things happen!

Dr. Abbie T. Watnik is Head of the Optical Physics Branch in the Optical Sciences Division at the Naval Research Laboratory. Dr. Watnik manages personnel and programs within a diverse research portfolio of basic and applied optical physics, with topics in optical nanomaterials, laser-based imaging and sensing, quantum optics and semiconductor optoelectronics. Dr. Watnik is recipient of several Navy awards including: 2019 Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, 2017 and 2018 ARPAD awards and the 2016 Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Award for Emergent Scientist Investigators, an award recognizing the Department of the Navy’s scientists who have made significant contributions to their field.

Dr. Eric Basques, Senior Program Officer, is a Program Administrator for the Research Associateship Programs (RAP) in the Fellowships Office of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.  He has responsibility for over 200 postdoctoral Research Associates and Fellows on tenure at any given time through seven federal agencies including the Air Force Research Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, Army Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Energy Technology Laboratory.  His duties include dealing with Associate issues, interacting with Research Advisers and Laboratory Program Representatives, approving the appointment of new Research Advisers, organizing and performing site visits to bring new labs into the program, and conducting periodic visits to the labs under his responsibility. Eric also oversees RAP review panels for Engineering, Applied Science & Mathematics, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Physical Sciences.  He also performs program promotion functions at scientific meetings and universities.  He received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University with an emphasis in Thermosciences.  He received his B.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park with an emphasis in energy systems and automatic controls.  He is the author of over 50 technical publications on energy, space, and telecommunications, holds a U.S. patent as an individual inventor, and has a certificate in International Business Management from Georgetown University.  Previous experience includes work with the Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, NASA, and the private sector.

Mikeala Lambertucci is a recruiter with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) supporting opportunity management and recruitment for the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP). This program provides scientists, engineers and postsecondary students of unusual promise and ability the opportunity to engage in research on problems, largely of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests of the Government. The RAP will further science and technology through mentorship and experiential educational training through the conduct of collaborative fundamental research, with this research having the potential for both civilian and military applications.

Dr. Michael Simpson is the Naval STEM Grants Program Officer. Inspiring, developing, connecting, and maintaining access with people able to make Naval-important discoveries and solve problems is a major purpose of the program, as is relating with other STEM programs across DoD, governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and academe. Michael was selected as a Naval civilian on 29 December 2014. The convergence of expertise in Dr. Simpson’s experience is ideally suited to the work.Prior to Naval STEM, Dr. Simpson directed the STEM program at the Computer Sciences Corporation where he integrated CSC’s STEM work with their corporate social responsibility and workforce development and delivery programs, as well as their Science Fellows program, all to ensure that the then-98,000 person global organization had the people it needed to make discoveries and solve problems of its clients, many of which were US Governmental including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.Dr. Simpson was the American Association for the Advancement of Science US Congressional Research Service Science Fellow in 1981. Michael was an analyst then headed the Life Sciences and Biomedical Policy Sections of CRS. Sound science advice to the US Congress was the result of this work.Dr. Simpson adjunct-taught fifty-nine sessions of upper-division undergraduate science policy to students from across the US interning in the Washington DC area, through The Washington Center. Michael Simpson’s Doctorate in Environmental Sciences and Engineering was earned in 1987 at the University of California at Los Angeles. UC Berkeley is where he earned his Master of Science in 1979 in Energy and Resources. Michael earned his Master of Science in Biological Sciences in 1977 at the University of San Francisco. UC Berkeley is where he earned his Artis Baccalaureate in Biological Sciences in 1976. Michael grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and where he was born, Honolulu Hawaii.

Dr. Laura Steckman joined the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) as a Program Officer in November 2019. She manages the Trust & Influence program, which funds basic research advancing the science of trust in human-machine teaming, human-agent interaction, and autonomy, and the science of social influence, including how the construct transcends online and offline networks to affect behavior. She is also the program coordinator for AFOSR’s involvement in the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Minerva Defense Research Institute program, the Department of Defense’s premiere basic social research program that funds multidisciplinary research on complex topics intended to inform national policy and strategy.

Dr. Steckman has dedicated her professional career to supporting the advancement of Information and Influence Operations for the DoD and other US government agencies. Prior to joining AFOSR, Dr. Steckman spent 3 years with the MITRE Corporation primarily developing novel operational strategies and technologies to support the current and future fight in the Information Environment and Joint All-Domain Operations. She has led and contributed to multiple efforts within and across the DoD, IC, and Interagency focused on Operations in the

Information Environment (OIE), one of which included multiple extended Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments to support the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). Dr. Steckman’s prior positions included spending 3 years as the Command Social Scientist at the US Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC), where she advanced Information Operations (IO) and Military Information Support Operations (MISO) through original and collaborative research, capability and technology evaluations, PME instruction, redesigning MOS-specific training, and contributions to doctrine and operational strategy development, such as the assessment appendix to Joint Publication 3-13 Information Operations, US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) Joint Concept for Human Aspects in Military Operations, and the Joint Information Operation Warfare Center’s (JIOWC) Joint Concept for Operations in the Information Environment (JCOIE). In addition, she worked with the US Pacific Command’s (USPACOM’s) J2 Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC) supporting the J3 to enhance Asia Pacific-specific operations and intelligence through novel research and advanced research methodologies. She also stood up and led an IO/MISO effort supporting the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) J3.

Dr. Steckman received her PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her research focused on the sociopolitical determinants influencing the evolution of Borneo’s indigenous identities over multiple centuries. Her most recent degree is a Masters in Media Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She has traveled extensively in more than 60 countries and has studied more than two dozen languages.

Dr. Gregory A. Ruark earned his Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Currently, he works at DEVCOM ARL Army Research Office (ARO) within the Humans in Complex Systems competency as the Technical and Core Mission Support and Acting Program Manager for the Social Science research program, serves as the Army’s Liaison for Minerva Research Initiative, is an appointed member of DEVCOM ARL’s Institutional Review Board, and mentors two NDSEG Fellows. Prior to joining ARO, he served nearly 16 years of Civilian Service with the Army Research Institute (ARI), initially as an applied researcher that earned him the 2011 Army R&D Achievement Award for Technical Excellence and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and later as Team Leader and then Chief of ARI’s basic research program supporting fundamental research within the organizational sciences domain. In addition, he is published in peer-reviewed organizational and management journals in the areas of emotions, leader processes and development, and culture.

Thomas “Tom” Creely, PhD, is creator and director of the Ethics and Emerging Military Technology Graduate Certificate Program at the U.S. Naval War College. He serves as Deputy Chair and U.S. Lead for Five Eyes The Technical Cooperation Project Ethical, Legal, Social, and Environmental Issues Action Group on Biotechnology, Defense Panel Member of Special Competitive Studies Project, and At-Large Member of Board of Governors for IEEE Society for Social Implications of Technology. He leads the EEMT program in collaboration with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Defense Innovation Board, and Cyber Solarium 2.0. A retired Navy Chaplain, his Navy career included sea, ashore, overseas, and the Marine Corps, as well as having served as an enlisted Sailor. He previously taught at Brown University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and University of South Carolina.

Peter Khooshabeh is a cognitive scientist and ARL West Regional Lead, which comprises the broader Pacific region foundational science and technology workforce for the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (DEVCOM) research laboratory (ARL). As the first regional site for the Army in the West Coast region started in 2016, ARL West represents core competencies of humans in complex systems, military information science, biotechnology science, and the electronic sciences. ARL West research provides fundamental knowledge and operationalizes science towards new warfighter capabilities, such as augmented and virtual reality interfaces and novel visualizations. Dr. Khooshabeh oversees the daily operation of a combination of 40 government civilians and contractors, including students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting researchers. Prior to leading ARL West, he was a team leader and research psychologist in the ARL Human Research and Engineering Directorate, embedded as a field office within the Army’s Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) at the University of Southern California since 2010. Dr. Khooshabeh has been a principal investigator on projects that leverage wearable physiological sensors for improved human autonomy teaming; as well as fundamental and applied research on training effectiveness for immersive simulations. He has over 60 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of cognitive science and human-computer interaction. Dr. Khooshabeh has also contributed to research projects across a multitude of government and defense research labs such as the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Lab, NASA Ames Research Center and Air Force Research Lab, in addition to private industry at IBM Research. He was competitively selected as a Defense Ventures Fellow to strengthen private sector relationships with DoD innovators and identify ways to partner on technical investments and capability developments.Dr. Khooshabeh graduated with high honors with a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and earned his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Psychological and Brain Sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara, all in the field of cognitive science with emphasis in computational modeling.

Dr. Evan Austin is the Chief Scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory’s Center for High Assurance Computer Systems.  In his current role, he provides technical leadership and strategic guidance to help align research investments to match United States Navy and Department of Defense priorities.  Prior to joining the Naval Research Laboratory, Dr. Austin was a research scientist at Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC-LANT).  At the tail end of his time at NIWC-LANT, Dr. Austin was detailed to the Pentagon serving in the capacities of both the Deputy Director, and Acting Director, for Cyber Technologies within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.  Dr. Austin received the Naval Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his work performed in these two roles.  He holds Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from the University of Kansas, with his Ph.D. research funded by the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program.  

Dr. Benjamin Wong currently serves the Focused Excursion Program Lead in the Advancing Concepts Office, U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), where he leads a program designed to systematically integrate scientific research with the development of the next Army operating concept. He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and joined the government in 2011 as a postdoctoral research fellow at USAMRICD. Throughout his career, Dr. Wong has found that good science does not speak for itself and that dedicated and passionate advocacy and translation are required to convey the value and necessity of the science to diverse stakeholders. His scientific successes have provided him the venues to step away from the bench and into the arena of communicating science.

Dr. Raheleh Dilmaghani was recruited from industry to support the Cyber TASE program as the Chief Engineer and led the development of the technical requirements, and system engineering planning. She then proposed and led her S&T effort in FY15 on Software Defined Networking, in which she identified challenges and benefits for Navy. Since January 2017 Dr. Dilmaghani has been serving as PMW 790 APM S&T where she oversees & leads S&T projects and provides technical recommendations on emerging technologies to the Program Office with emerging technologies and a visionary Roadmap. Dr. Dilmaghani is a Faculty at University of San Diego, School of Engineering.

Dr. Dilmaghani received her PhD from UCSD in Electrical & Computer Engineering with focus on improving communication with application to emergency response, and a Master degree in ECE from Colorado State University. She is System Engineer level 2 certified and an IEEE Senior Member. She has served as the vice president of IEEE Computer Society San Diego.

Dr. Dilmaghani worked at the IBM Watson research lab in wireless communication and networking where she designed and developed solutions to improve network performance, and policy- aware service composition with application to coalition scenarios. She has contributed into the IBM Global technology outlook by proposing new areas of technology. Dr. Dilmaghani has proposed and chaired several workshops in the area of next generation of wireless communication, mobile cloud, and has served as Technical Committee member. She has more than a dozen research publications in IEEE, ACM, and Journals and holds several patents with a lot of experience in proposal writing & evaluation, technical documents development and briefing to high executives.

Dr. Dilmaghani has mentored several graduate students within NDSEG, and at UCSD and helped several students to receive financial support for their research to continue their education. She supports Navy Outreach program to encourage future workforce of DoD STEM professionals.

 

Dr. Gunjan Verma is a computer scientist with the Army Research Laboratory. He received B.S. degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics from Rutgers University; an M.S. from Duke University in Biostatistics; and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University in Mathematics. He has been with the Army Research Laboratory since 2009. His research involves mathematical and statistical modeling and algorithm development to solve a variety of problems arising in wireless networks. He is currently a Government research lead in the Internet of Battlefield Things Collaborative Research Alliance, a 10 year research endeavor between ARL and  7 universities across the nation. He is also one of ARL’s primary researchers in collaborative projects at Rice University and UT-Austin studying the use of machine learning to improve tactical wireless networking performance. His work has appeared in prominent conferences and journals in the networking, robotics, and machine learning fields. Software that he has implemented has been used as part of large scale network simulation tools, and in embedded systems, software-defined radios, and robots used in several major field experiments with domestic and international partners. He has earned numerous ARL awards for basic research and research leadership. 

Dr. Laura Steckman joined the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) as a Program Officer in November 2019. She manages the Trust & Influence program, which funds basic research advancing the science of trust in human-machine teaming, human-agent interaction, and autonomy, and the science of social influence, including how the construct transcends online and offline networks to affect behavior. She is also the program coordinator for AFOSR’s involvement in the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Minerva Defense Research Institute program, the Department of Defense’s premiere basic social research program that funds multidisciplinary research on complex topics intended to inform national policy and strategy.

Dr. Steckman has dedicated her professional career to supporting the advancement of Information and Influence Operations for the DoD and other US government agencies. Prior to joining AFOSR, Dr. Steckman spent 3 years with the MITRE Corporation primarily developing novel operational strategies and technologies to support the current and future fight in the Information Environment and Joint All-Domain Operations. She has led and contributed to multiple efforts within and across the DoD, IC, and Interagency focused on Operations in the

Information Environment (OIE), one of which included multiple extended Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments to support the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). Dr. Steckman’s prior positions included spending 3 years as the Command Social Scientist at the US Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC), where she advanced Information Operations (IO) and Military Information Support Operations (MISO) through original and collaborative research, capability and technology evaluations, PME instruction, redesigning MOS-specific training, and contributions to doctrine and operational strategy development, such as the assessment appendix to Joint Publication 3-13 Information Operations, US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) Joint Concept for Human Aspects in Military Operations, and the Joint Information Operation Warfare Center’s (JIOWC) Joint Concept for Operations in the Information Environment (JCOIE). In addition, she worked with the US Pacific Command’s (USPACOM’s) J2 Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC) supporting the J3 to enhance Asia Pacific-specific operations and intelligence through novel research and advanced research methodologies. She also stood up and led an IO/MISO effort supporting the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) J3.

Dr. Steckman received her PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her research focused on the sociopolitical determinants influencing the evolution of Borneo’s indigenous identities over multiple centuries. Her most recent degree is a Masters in Media Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She has traveled extensively in more than 60 countries and has studied more than two dozen languages.

Dr. Gregory A. Ruark earned his Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Currently, he works at DEVCOM ARL Army Research Office (ARO) within the Humans in Complex Systems competency as the Technical and Core Mission Support and Acting Program Manager for the Social Science research program, serves as the Army’s Liaison for Minerva Research Initiative, is an appointed member of DEVCOM ARL’s Institutional Review Board, and mentors two NDSEG Fellows. Prior to joining ARO, he served nearly 16 years of Civilian Service with the Army Research Institute (ARI), initially as an applied researcher that earned him the 2011 Army R&D Achievement Award for Technical Excellence and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and later as Team Leader and then Chief of ARI’s basic research program supporting fundamental research within the organizational sciences domain. In addition, he is published in peer-reviewed organizational and management journals in the areas of emotions, leader processes and development, and culture.

Thomas “Tom” Creely, PhD, is creator and director of the Ethics and Emerging Military Technology Graduate Certificate Program at the U.S. Naval War College. He serves as Deputy Chair and U.S. Lead for Five Eyes The Technical Cooperation Project Ethical, Legal, Social, and Environmental Issues Action Group on Biotechnology, Defense Panel Member of Special Competitive Studies Project, and At-Large Member of Board of Governors for IEEE Society for Social Implications of Technology. He leads the EEMT program in collaboration with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Defense Innovation Board, and Cyber Solarium 2.0. A retired Navy Chaplain, his Navy career included sea, ashore, overseas, and the Marine Corps, as well as having served as an enlisted Sailor. He previously taught at Brown University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and University of South Carolina.

Dr. Leslie M. Blaha is the Deputy Chief Scientist, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Arlington, VA. Dr. Blaha is the deputy science and technology adviser to the AFOSR Director and Chief Scientist in matters of formulation, planning, managing and integration of all Air Force basic research programs, with an emphasis on the Air Force Research Laboratory’s intramural programs. The office has a staff of over 200 personnel assigned and an annual working budget $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 basic science and engineering relevant to Air and Space Force needs in science and technology, and is the Air Force Research Laboratories single manager for the all Air and Space Force basic research programs.

Dr. Blaha began her career with the Air Force in 2010 in the Battlespace Visualization Branch, Warfighter Interfaces Division, Human Effectiveness (now Airman Systems) Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio. Dr. Blaha has been Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on over $11 million in sponsored basic and fundamental applied research emphasizing cognitive modeling for human-machine teaming in adaptive training, visual analytics, and decision-making systems to pioneer national security and defense mission future capabilities. She has worked in the areas of human-machine mutual understanding, interactive machine learning, interactive streaming analytics for intelligence analysis, cybersecurity and insider threat, social network analysis, aircraft integrity analysis, and real-time operator state assessment. Passionate about mentoring, she has mentored over 30 trainees, from high school to postdoctoral research level. Dr. Blaha was awarded an Early Career Impact Award from the Federation of Associations for Brain and Behavioral Sciences in 2018. She serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Society for Mathematical Psychology and is a co-founder of the Women of Mathematical Psychology. She has authored or co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and edited a two-volume book (h-index 11; i10-index 14).

Prior to assuming her current position, Dr. Blaha served as the acting Training Core Technical Competency Lead, in addition to serving as principal investigator for Human and Machine Co-Learning, Airman Systems Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory. Embedded at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), she serves as the lead for the CMU Operating Location, fostering university collaborations in the areas of Cognitive Modeling for Human-Autonomy Teaming. In addition, Dr. Blaha serves as the Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s senior subject matter expert and independent researcher in the development theory-driven models and methodologies, together with new methods for test and evaluation of models, for human-autonomy teaming across all missions of the Department of the Air Force.

Paul Kunz received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder for his thesis work developing a transportable atomic fountain clock under the guidance of Jun Ye and Steve Jefferts at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). Subsequently he worked as an Oak Ridge Associated University (ORAU) Postdoctoral Fellow at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), where he developed an experiment studying nonlinear magneto-optical resonance effects in laser-cooled atoms for applications as magnetic sensors. In 2016 he was hired as a staff physicist in ARL’s new Quantum Science & Technology Branch, and founded the neutral atom research group with research focused on cavity-QED-based quantum memories and Rydberg atomic sensors. Beginning in 2023, he now serves as chief of the Quantum Science & Technology Branch, whose research portfolio spans platforms of light-matter interaction in atoms, trapped ions, and solid-state color centers.

Dr. Abbie T. Watnik is Head of the Optical Physics Branch in the Optical Sciences Division at the Naval Research Laboratory. Dr. Watnik manages personnel and programs within a diverse research portfolio of basic and applied optical physics, with topics in optical nanomaterials, laser-based imaging and sensing, quantum optics and semiconductor optoelectronics. Dr. Watnik is recipient of several Navy awards including: 2019 Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, 2017 and 2018 ARPAD awards and the 2016 Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Award for Emergent Scientist Investigators, an award recognizing the Department of the Navy’s scientists who have made significant contributions to their field.

Christine M. Covas-Smith is the Air University (AU) Chair within the Plans & Programs Directorate at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/XP), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Dr. Covas-Smith provides outreach to all organizations across AFRL to identify and facilitate collaboration opportunities and ensure communication of science and technology priorities and focus areas to AU. Dr. Covas-Smith entered federal service in 2004 as an Associate Research Psychologist for the Warfighter Readiness Research Division in Mesa, AZ. She has served in a variety of assignments including Chief, Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch, Bioeffects Division, 711th Human Performance Wing (AFRL/711HPW), Engineering Research Psychologist, Arnold Group, and Deputy Division Chief, Future Environments at Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Science and Engineering Career Field Administrator at Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), and Research Psychologist at the Warfighter Readiness Research Division, AFRL, 711HPW/RHA. Dr. Covas-Smith has research interests in Decision Making, Learning, Human Factors, and Visual Perception.

Ms. Corinne Beach was born in Utah and grew up in Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming where she received a BS in Geography with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and a BS in Chemical Engineering. In 2001 Ms. Beach began working for the Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) Command at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) as a nuclear engineer providing engineering support for repair and maintenance of submarines and aircraft carriers. Her primary expertise is focused on trident submarines. In 2007, Ms. Beach began coordinating the PSNS & IMF K-12 STEM outreach to increase interest in STEM at local K-12 schools. She and the technical support mentors from PSNS & IMF provided STEM programming to over 10,000 students per year. Within the STEM coordination role, Ms. Beach was a founding member of the West Sound STEM Network, which aims to leverage assets of a community to support all students having STEM opportunities. In late 2022, Ms. Beach became a deputy program manager for the DoD SMART Scholarship Program. The SMART Scholarship is an educational and workforce development program that provides academic funding for guaranteed DoD employment following graduation. Ms. Beach is married and has two sons. Her hobbies include paddleboarding, hiking, gardening, attending soccer games and enjoying family.

Dr. Abbie T. Watnik is Head of the Optical Physics Branch in the Optical Sciences Division at the Naval Research Laboratory. Dr. Watnik manages personnel and programs within a diverse research portfolio of basic and applied optical physics, with topics in optical nanomaterials, laser-based imaging and sensing, quantum optics and semiconductor optoelectronics. Dr. Watnik is recipient of several Navy awards including: 2019 Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, 2017 and 2018 ARPAD awards and the 2016 Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Award for Emergent Scientist Investigators, an award recognizing the Department of the Navy’s scientists who have made significant contributions to their field.

Dr. Eric Basques, Senior Program Officer, is a Program Administrator for the Research Associateship Programs (RAP) in the Fellowships Office of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.  He has responsibility for over 200 postdoctoral Research Associates and Fellows on tenure at any given time through seven federal agencies including the Air Force Research Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, Army Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Energy Technology Laboratory.  His duties include dealing with Associate issues, interacting with Research Advisers and Laboratory Program Representatives, approving the appointment of new Research Advisers, organizing and performing site visits to bring new labs into the program, and conducting periodic visits to the labs under his responsibility. Eric also oversees RAP review panels for Engineering, Applied Science & Mathematics, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Physical Sciences.  He also performs program promotion functions at scientific meetings and universities.  He received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University with an emphasis in Thermosciences.  He received his B.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park with an emphasis in energy systems and automatic controls.  He is the author of over 50 technical publications on energy, space, and telecommunications, holds a U.S. patent as an individual inventor, and has a certificate in International Business Management from Georgetown University.  Previous experience includes work with the Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, NASA, and the private sector.

Mikeala Lambertucci is a recruiter with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) supporting opportunity management and recruitment for the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP). This program provides scientists, engineers and postsecondary students of unusual promise and ability the opportunity to engage in research on problems, largely of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests of the Government. The RAP will further science and technology through mentorship and experiential educational training through the conduct of collaborative fundamental research, with this research having the potential for both civilian and military applications.

Dr. Kevin Cox is a physicist at the Army Research Laboratory, where he serves in the Quantum Sciences Branch.  Kevin and his team study quantum sensing and quantum information science, aiming to discover foundational new capabilities.  Over the past 5 years, Kevin's team has pioneered the use of Rydberg atoms for rf sensing, receiving, and spectrum awareness.  In this talk Kevin talk about quantum science research at ARL and some of the unique features of being a scientist at the Army Research Lab.

Mr. Jamil Toubia is an Integration Platform Manager with 5 years of experience as a U.S Navy civilian. In 2007, Jamil received his Master’s degree from San Diego State University in Computer Science and began his career at Qualcomm Inc where he held multiple positions from 2006 until 2018 working in the chip manufacturing industry.

Mr. Toubia joined the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in 2018 and worked as Lead Systems Engineer for the DDG1000 Program deploying and integrating Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) Systems onboard the Zumwalt Class. He currently works as an embedded Integration Platform Manager in PMW760 Program Office supporting the integration of C4I systems on multiple platforms applying his expertise to deliver and improve the most needed capabilities to the warfighter.

Mr. Toubia has been involved with the NDSEG program for the last 4 years.

Dr. Bindu Nair was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in March 2020 and is now serving as the Director of Basic Research within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD). In this role, she is responsible for oversight and coordination of the Department’s $2.5 billion investment in basic science. This investment supports high risk and high pay-off basic research projects in fields including physical science, life science, environmental science, applied mathematics, and others that probe the limits of today’s technologies and discover new phenomena and know‐how that may ultimately lead to future technologies for the Department. From 2012-2017, Dr. Nair served in various roles including Acting Director and Deputy Director in the Human Performance, Training and Biosystems (HPT&B) Directorate within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In this role, Dr. Nair was involved in overseeing a broad range of DoD’s science and technology programs that support Warfighter effectiveness. Her specific areas of responsibilities in the office were in environmental technologies, bio-assist technologies (for exoskeletons and prosthetics), human machine teaming, and social behavioral modeling in the information environment. Prior to her assignment to OUSD, 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 (Waltham, MA). Her research expertise is in the field of Material Science and Engineering including nanomaterials, polymers, and organic electronic materials, and she has taught graduate level courses in Polymer Synthesis. 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. Bindu Nair was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in March 2020 and is now serving as the Director of Basic Research within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD). In this role, she is responsible for oversight and coordination of the Department’s $2.5 billion investment in basic science. This investment supports high risk and high pay-off basic research projects in fields including physical science, life science, environmental science, applied mathematics, and others that probe the limits of today’s technologies and discover new phenomena and know‐how that may ultimately lead to future technologies for the Department. From 2012-2017, Dr. Nair served in various roles including Acting Director and Deputy Director in the Human Performance, Training and Biosystems (HPT&B) Directorate within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In this role, Dr. Nair was involved in overseeing a broad range of DoD’s science and technology programs that support Warfighter effectiveness. Her specific areas of responsibilities in the office were in environmental technologies, bio-assist technologies (for exoskeletons and prosthetics), human machine teaming, and social behavioral modeling in the information environment. Prior to her assignment to OUSD, 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 (Waltham, MA). Her research expertise is in the field of Material Science and Engineering including nanomaterials, polymers, and organic electronic materials, and she has taught graduate level courses in Polymer Synthesis. 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. Bojko received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University at Buffalo in 2017, exploring the use of reduced-order combustion models, specifically using flamelet progress variable methods in turbulent spray flames. He is an expert in the modeling and simulation of multiphase reacting flows with a particular interest in solid fuel, turbulence, and metal combustion. He recently joined the Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics at NRL to work on the development of combustion models within the JENRE® Mutliphysics Framework.

Dr. Kelly Nash is a Professor of Physics and the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Success at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Her scientific research focuses on synthesis and characterization nanomaterials and their physiochemical interaction with biological systems from the molecular to the cellular level. With a focus on both fundamental and applied studies of nanomaterials with application to biomedicine, energy, and environmental applications, her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Army Research Office (ARO), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR), including the AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award in 2015. She has numerous awards for her contributions to science and promotion of inclusiveness in STEM including, Dillard University Alumni 40–Under-40 award, San Antonio Business Journal 40-Under-40 Award, and UTSA President’s Distinguished Diversity Award.  She continually advocates for the involvement of underrepresented groups in science through strategic initiatives within UTSA and the broader scientific community.  

Dr. Wendy A. Okolo is an aerospace engineering researcher and associate project manager in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Her technical expertise in vehicle flight dynamics, novel control techniques, and autonomous air vehicle safety has been demonstrated by her United States patent in aerospace vehicle flight path control, numerous technical publications, research collaborations, and teaching engagements across the aerospace engineering industry, academia, and the government. The 2021 recipient of the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal, Dr. Okolo’s research experiences include stints at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where she conducted research in aircraft formation flight for fuel savings. Her efforts were demonstrated with flight tests by the U.S. Air Force to realize easily attainable fuel efficiencies with existing and new aircraft. She also worked at the Advanced Development Programs of Lockheed Martin (Skunkworks), utilizing performance optimizing control techniques for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35C to improve efficiencies of aircraft belonging to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). As a student, she interned at Lockheed Martin on the Orion spacecraft, NASA’s crew exploration vehicle that will facilitate human exploration beyond low earth orbit. She was also a research assistant in flight dynamics and controls, which motivated her current research interests. At 26 years old, Wendy became the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her graduate studies were recognized and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense through the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, Zonta International through the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Texas Space Grant Consortium. Other research awards include a Resolution of Commendation from the Tarrant County Court of Texas and an award for excellence in research by the Women Of Color in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics). At NASA, she has received several awards including the 2020 NASA Ames Award for Researcher/Scientist and the 2019 NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award. Dr. Okolo is also the recipient of the 2019 U.T. Arlington Distinguished Recent Graduate Award, the 2019 Women In Aerospace Award for Initiative, Inspiration & Impact, and the 2019 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Most Promising Engineer in U.S. Government. Dr. Okolo is an avid supporter of changing the narrative of underrepresentation in STEM, particularly for young girls, career women, and people of color. In addition to her role as an aerospace researcher, she has served as the Special Emphasis Programs Manager for women, working to demonstrate and ensure NASA’s commitment to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women. Her initiatives include creating nursing rooms for mothers to ease their transition back to work and analyzing job language usage in position descriptions to remove gendered language biases that reduce female applicants. Wendy has given multiple keynotes, served on panels, and provides tools for individuals and organizations to foster diversity and inclusion in STEM. To connect with her, please visit www.wendyokolo.com  

Dr. Kathleen Coleman joined the Army Research Lab in September 2020, after completing her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on ultra-low power electric- and magnetic- field sensors, and piezoelectric and ferroelectric devices. She is currently working on the Army Research Lab Director’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) pilot funding program where she is investigation low-power electronics, energy harvesting and storage, as well as device integration and protection that will allow for next generation of ultra-low size weight and power sensor systems.

Erik Braun graduated from Purdue University with his Ph.D. in December of 2022. His primary research topic was the extension of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering thermometry to high-speed flows. Now, he is an NRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Air Force Research Laboratory, performing research for supersonic combustion and propulsion applications.

Dr. Wendy A. Okolo is an aerospace engineering researcher and associate project manager in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Her technical expertise in vehicle flight dynamics, novel control techniques, and autonomous air vehicle safety has been demonstrated by her United States patent in aerospace vehicle flight path control, numerous technical publications, research collaborations, and teaching engagements across the aerospace engineering industry, academia, and the government. The 2021 recipient of the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal, Dr. Okolo’s research experiences include stints at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where she conducted research in aircraft formation flight for fuel savings. Her efforts were demonstrated with flight tests by the U.S. Air Force to realize easily attainable fuel efficiencies with existing and new aircraft. She also worked at the Advanced Development Programs of Lockheed Martin (Skunkworks), utilizing performance optimizing control techniques for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35C to improve efficiencies of aircraft belonging to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). As a student, she interned at Lockheed Martin on the Orion spacecraft, NASA’s crew exploration vehicle that will facilitate human exploration beyond low earth orbit. She was also a research assistant in flight dynamics and controls, which motivated her current research interests. At 26 years old, Wendy became the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her graduate studies were recognized and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense through the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, Zonta International through the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Texas Space Grant Consortium. Other research awards include a Resolution of Commendation from the Tarrant County Court of Texas and an award for excellence in research by the Women Of Color in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics). At NASA, she has received several awards including the 2020 NASA Ames Award for Researcher/Scientist and the 2019 NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award. Dr. Okolo is also the recipient of the 2019 U.T. Arlington Distinguished Recent Graduate Award, the 2019 Women In Aerospace Award for Initiative, Inspiration & Impact, and the 2019 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Most Promising Engineer in U.S. Government. Dr. Okolo is an avid supporter of changing the narrative of underrepresentation in STEM, particularly for young girls, career women, and people of color. In addition to her role as an aerospace researcher, she has served as the Special Emphasis Programs Manager for women, working to demonstrate and ensure NASA’s commitment to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women. Her initiatives include creating nursing rooms for mothers to ease their transition back to work and analyzing job language usage in position descriptions to remove gendered language biases that reduce female applicants. Wendy has given multiple keynotes, served on panels, and provides tools for individuals and organizations to foster diversity and inclusion in STEM. To connect with her, please visit www.wendyokolo.com  

Dr Michael McKay received his Bachelor's degree and Doctorate in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. His thesis work included fault tolerant control and flight dynamics modeling of advanced vertical take off and landing vehicles, including multicopter, lift and thrust compounded, and coaxial rotorcraft configurations. In 2022, he joined Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, where he works in the Handling Qualities and Flight Controls group, focusing on modeling improvement for advanced platforms. Dr McKay was a fellow in the 2017 class, funded through the Army Research Office.

Dr. Francis Phillips received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Aerospace Engineering in 2018. Dr. Phillips is a NDSEG fellow class of 2018. Dr. Phillips currently works as a Research Aerospace Engineer at the US Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, focusing on the development and analysis of novel unmanned aerial systems.

Dr. Kevin Cox is a physicist at the Army Research Laboratory, where he serves in the Quantum Sciences Branch.  Kevin and his team study quantum sensing and quantum information science, aiming to discover foundational new capabilities.  Over the past 5 years, Kevin's team has pioneered the use of Rydberg atoms for rf sensing, receiving, and spectrum awareness.  In this talk Kevin talk about quantum science research at ARL and some of the unique features of being a scientist at the Army Research Lab.

Ms. Corinne Beach was born in Utah and grew up in Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming where she received a BS in Geography with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and a BS in Chemical Engineering. In 2001 Ms. Beach began working for the Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) Command at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) as a nuclear engineer providing engineering support for repair and maintenance of submarines and aircraft carriers. Her primary expertise is focused on trident submarines. In 2007, Ms. Beach began coordinating the PSNS & IMF K-12 STEM outreach to increase interest in STEM at local K-12 schools. She and the technical support mentors from PSNS & IMF provided STEM programming to over 10,000 students per year. Within the STEM coordination role, Ms. Beach was a founding member of the West Sound STEM Network, which aims to leverage assets of a community to support all students having STEM opportunities. In late 2022, Ms. Beach became a deputy program manager for the DoD SMART Scholarship Program. The SMART Scholarship is an educational and workforce development program that provides academic funding for guaranteed DoD employment following graduation. Ms. Beach is married and has two sons. Her hobbies include paddleboarding, hiking, gardening, attending soccer games and enjoying family.

Dr. Harris is a Research Civil Engineer with ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Lab (CHL) in the Coastal Engineering Branch (CEB). He received a doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Geotechnical Engineering from LSU where his dissertation was focused on the design, construction, and performance of natural coastal infrastructure. Research interests include the geotechnical design, construction, performance, and monitoring techniques of Natural and Nature Based Features (wetlands, headlands, mangroves, islands) and the beneficial use of dredged material.

I received my PhD from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD. My dissertation work focused on planktonic trophic levels using a novel optical and acoustic zooplankton sensing glider. I currently work as a Scientist/Oceanography SME at NIWC-Pacific, where I support projects related to bio-fouling/corrosion control, mine-hunting, boat operations, and ecological evaluations of naval sites.