Graduate Research Assistant - Air Force Institute of Technology - Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH
(2024-01)
Series: 1701 - Grade: 21. Hours per week: 20
- Synthesized multi-source atmospheric data using LEEDR, HELEEOS, MATLAB and Python to analyze environmental variability and its direct impact on optical propagation.
- Operated advanced atmospheric modeling tools (LEEDR; HELEEOS) and developed procedures to evaluate forecast sensitivity and model behavior.
- Designed and executed rigorous data-collection protocols ensuring traceability and reliability across multiple measurement campaigns.
- Developed analytical techniques and methodological improvements to better compare observational data with model output.
- Contributed to U.S. Air Force R&D by testing and validating weather data collection and analysis methods to support directed energy system performance.
- Communicated complex meteorological findings clearly to both scientific and non-technical audiences, presenting at AMS and other professional conferences.
- Troubleshot and improved data-processing workflows to increase research throughput under time-sensitive conditions.
Research Assistant Intern - Air Force Institute of Technology Center for Directed Energy - Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
(2023-05 - 2024-01)
Hours per week: 40
- Supported an optical-turbulence research study by applying quantitative atmospheric analysis methods to evaluate thermal turbulence impacts on beam propagation.
- Operated the Scintec MFAS Sodar system to collect structured datasets (wind, temperature, acoustic backscatter), developing data-collection strategies tailored to environmental conditions.
- Performed data processing using APRUN and Python-based scientific computing tools (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib) to produce statistical metrics, visualizations, and comparative analyses.
- Applied model-adaptation and data-reduction techniques to derive turbulence parameters relevant to directed-energy system performance.
- Provided new insights on Sodar-based measurement fidelity and limitations, enabling AFIT researchers to refine future test methodologies.
Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance - United States Air Force - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
(2012-01 - 2018-01)
Hours per week: 40
- Conducted detailed diagnostics, inspections, and system-integrity analysis on 26 C-17 aircraft valued at over $300M each, ensuring operational reliability for time-critical global mobility missions.
- Managed a $2M avionics inventory, using quantitative tracking processes to reduce waste by 5% and improve accountability.
- Collected, validated, and reconciled aircraft maintenance and engine-hour datasets within IMDS, ensuring zero discrepancies between electronic and paper-based documentation.
- Trained and mentored five junior technicians, improving their troubleshooting performance by 20%, demonstrating ability to lead small study/technical teams.
- Delivered daily analytical summaries of prior-day maintenance events for leadership decision-making, presenting technical issues in clear operational terms.
- Maintained strict adherence to safety, regulatory guidance, and standard procedures, consistently meeting mission timelines under constrained conditions.
