Research Activities
Research at the US Air Force Academy is focused on developing and maintaining projects which undergraduate students can contribute to in a meaningful way. My background in applicable, experimental research is well-aligned with these larger USAFA goals.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who would like to talk more about collaboration on a wide variety of topics. As a DoD-funded institution, the financial cost of collaborating with USAFA is exceptionally low. As an undergraduate-only institution, the benefit of collaborating is undeniable, for both your institution and ours. Current collaborations involve Cadet Summer Research Program opportunities, utilization of USAFA laboratory facilities, and data sharing for model calibration/verification. I have co-advised MS projects at several R1 institutions and have had students continue research they began at USAFA while pursuing a master's degree at other top-tier institutions.
Details on current projects are included below.
Remote Sensing
Existing resources at USAFA (mock airfields, functional airfields, UAS Research Center) allow for ample opportunity to develop new problem solving techniques by utilizing remote sensing technologies. Current projects include remote sensing for pavement maintenance (AFCEC/MIT), remote sensing for pavement damage assessment/repair (AFCEC), and remote sensing to augment existing techniques for locating explosive remnants of war (HALO Trust).
Thermal Geotechnics
The Energy Pile Education and Research Facility (ePERF) is a full-scale energy pile system located in Jack's Valley at the US Air Force Academy. The system is currently being used to introduce students to big data and also in collaboration with other universities for model calibration.
Engineering Education
While not all classroom innovations warrant a full research project, one ongoing project across several classes has been studying how the use of Knowledge Surveys may enhance education via several processes, including: increased student self-assessment, informed course improvement, and intentional language development and continuity in course design across multiple majors courses.
A USAFA cadet checks sensors mounted to a weather station at the Energy Pile Education and Research Facility (ePERF) site.
Contact me
Please contact me if you have any interest in collaborating on current projects or believe you have a research project that would benefit from a USAFA faculty or cadet collaboration.