CV
Objective
My vision is to become a DoD/IC leader in the maturing and transitioning of advanced capabilities across the technology development “valley of death”. My mission is to implement innovative strategies to develop, acquire, and transition evolutionary and revolutionary capabilities that support the Warfighter, maintain the battlespace advantage, and inspire/mentor the next generation of engineers and scientists. I value growth, competence, and self-discipline in my pursuit to become better every day.
Education
- Ph.D in Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2022
- Supervisors: Professors Alaa Elwany and Dimitris Lagoudas
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics
- Dissertation: Metal Additive Manufacturing Process-Structure-Property Relational Linkages Using Gaussian Process Surrogates
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineer, Texas A&M University, 2015
- Supervisors: Professors Dimitris Lagoudas and James Boyd
- Thesis: Modeling of Inductive Heating on Shape Memory Alloy Components
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineer, Virginia Tech, 2013
- Minor in Mathematics
Work Experience
- Deputy Branch Chief, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), 2023 – present
- Lead/supervisor a team of civilian, military, and contractor support staff to acquire and deliver future launch solutions and offer flexible/tailorable launch support services.
- Identify, research, develop, and transition advanced launch and on-orbit capabilities via FAR and non-FAR based acquisitions.
- Facilitate and coordinate internal and external strategic outreach with industry and government partners to identify and program for customer requirements.
- Execute non-NSSL missions through partnerships and procurement of small launch vehicles and rideshares.
- Coordinate inputs from stakeholders and track progress for the program, planning, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) process.
- Mechanical Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), 2016-2023
- Supervisor: Dr. Kirubel Teferra
- Surrogate modeling based on multi-fidelity physics-based simulations and experiments for metal additive manufacturing.
- Microstructure modeling of features induced by powder additive manufacturing.
- Development of strategies to prevent and protect from injuries due to blast events.
- Computational modeling of room temperature aerosol deposition of nano-crystalline thick films.
- Jr. Biomechanics Engineer, Leidos Inc., 2015-2016
- Supervisor: Dr. Keith Williams
- Development of strategies to prevent and protect from injuries due to blast events.
- Creation of correspondence rules to predict traumatic brain injury in humans.
- Image-based finite element modeling of human and porcine subjects.
- Development of a methodology for assessing combat helmets.
- Constitutive model calibration of hyper-viscoelastic biological materials.
- Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, 2013-2015
- Supervisor: Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas
- Development of a framework to model inductive heating of shape memory alloy components.
- Design, modeling, and fabrication of a composite twisting wing using shape memory alloy torque tubes.
- Simulation and optimization of self-folding reprogrammable sheets using shape memory alloy and shape memory polymer.
- Summer Scholar, Air Force Research Laboratory, 2014
- Supervisor: Dr. Sungeon (Sonny) Jeon
- Design and construction of a deployable tensioned helical structure using composite pultrusions.
- Medical Device Consultant, 2014
- Supervisor: Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas
- Finite element modeling of shape memory alloy based biomedical devices.
Training, Certifications, and Awards
- Naval Research Laboratory Edison Memorial Graduate Training Program
- Multi-year competitively awarded graduate education program
NRO Office of Space Launch Senior Technical Civilian Award – 3QFY23
- NRO Leadership Launch for Supervisors
- 1-week in-residence, intensive leadership training
NRO Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
- DAWIA Foundational Certification in Engineering & Technical Management
- DAWIA Credentials in:
- Technology Project Management
- Digital Engineering
- Risk, Issue, and Opportunity Management
- Coursera Certifications in:
- Project Management & Other Tools for Career Development specialization
- Deep Learning specialization
- DeepLearning.AI TensorFlow Developer specialization
- Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) specialization
- AI For Everyone course
- Machine Learning course
- Bayesian Methods for Machine Learning course (with honors)
Service, Leadership, and Other Activities
- Naval Research Laboratory Student Mentor, 2015-present
- Served as a technical mentor for 2-4 summer students each year.
- CASMART Design Challenge Advisor, Texas A&M University, 2015
- Design of a shape memory alloy based deployable solar array.
- Served as an advisor to a group of 5 undergraduates working on the project.
- Undergraduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech, 2011-2013
- Supervisor: Dr. Gary Seidel
- 1-D modeling and testing of shape memory alloys springs.
- Virginia Tech Microgravity Research Team, Virginia Tech, 2010–2013
- Supervisor: Dr. Troy Henderson
- Investigation of a moving mass actuator control system for re-entry vehicles and small satellites.
- Chosen two consecutive years to participate in NASAs Reduced Gravity Flight Education Program.
- Journal Reviewer
- Journal of DoD Research and Engineering
- Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Engineering
- Materials Today
- Finite Elements in Analysis and Design
- Defence Technology
Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Technical conference session/symposium organizer and chair
Skills
- Computer Languages – Fortran, Python, R, Matlab
- Software – Abaqus, COMSOL, ScanIP, Solidworks, Mathematica, Microsoft Office
- Basic machine shop and mechanical testing experience
- Windows, Linux, Unix experience
- Programing, planning, budgeting, and executing (PPBE)
- Acquisition strategy and contracting
- Time and Personnel Management
- Finite Element Modeling, Mechanics of Materials, Machine Learning, Statistical/Surrogate Modeling