Professional Experience
|
Senior Engineer, Solar System Dynamics Group, Navigation and
Mission Design Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,
California, 2000 - Present
NEAR navigation.
Asteroid orbit determination.
Analysis of Earth-asteroid encounters.
NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Pisa, Italy,
1998 - 1999 Actively involved in several research projects
including: development of interactive web site for analysis of Near
Earth Asteroid orbits, research into improved identification of
asteroid orbits and attribution of short arc observations, and writing
textbook on orbit determination of natural and artificial
satellites. Substantial experience with coding FORTRAN and HTML in a
UNIX environment.
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas, 1996-1997
Supported US Air Force funded research project, "Alternative
Representations of the Geopotential," under the supervision of
Dr. Victor Szebehely and Dr. Khalil Zare. Duties included proposal
writing, project planning, methodology development, computer coding,
and technical report preparation. Conducted additional unsponsored
research for the dissertation, leading to publications in
international journals and proceedings.
Teaching Assistant/Assistant Instructor, University of Texas, 1993
- present, and Texas A&M University, 1992-1993 Ten
semesters of experience teaching entry-level mechanics courses
(Statics and Dynamics), including approximately three classroom
lecture hours per week, examination writing and grading, and weekly
office hours. Also assisted in curriculum preparation and grading for
upper-level undergraduate Orbital Mechanics, Satellite Application,
and Linear Control Theory courses.
Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, 1992
Supported joint Air Force Academy-Texas A&M research project,
"Video-based Smoke Visualization Study of Wing Rock," under the
supervision of Dr. Donald Ward. Designed and constructed a
sophisticated free-rolling delta-wing model with integral smoke/dye
ducts for dual wind/water tunnel use. Responsible for coding software
used to record data and to control digital-to-analog converter for
smoke valve actuation.
Pilot, B-52H, 644th Bombardment Squadron, K. I. Sawyer
AFB, Michigan, 1987-1991 Deputy aircraft commander for the
nation's most powerful strategic bomber. Planned and executed air
refueling, terrain following tactics, and weapons delivery for day and
night missions. Developed squadron training program for HAVE-QUICK II
anti-jam radio operations. Received honorable discharge at the rank of
Captain.
Student Pilot, B-52 Combat Crew Training School, Castle AFB,
California, 1987 Graduated first in class from six-month
flight and academic training program.
Student Pilot, US Air Force Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas,
1986-1987 Graduated from intensive twelve-month training
program. Training consisted of low-level, formation, and instrument
flights in T-37 and supersonic T-38 jet aircraft.
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University,
1985-1986 Assisted supervisor Dr. Donald Ward with data
reduction and technical report preparation for NASA-funded wind tunnel
testing of canard-equipped Space Shuttle model.
Member, Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M University, 1983-1986
Participated in full-time military academy-style
environment. This setting fostered personal discipline, and instilled
valuable leadership and management skills. Rose to position of
Squadron First Sergeant with supervisory responsibility for
approximately thirty other cadets.
|
