AFIT Graduates Class of March 2008 Published March 28, 2008 By AFIT Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Two hundred fifty three scientists, engineers, and management specialists are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology. AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its March 2008 graduation ceremony March 27 at the Dayton Masonic Center. The graduating class was awarded 247 master's degrees and seven doctorates (one student was awarded a dual master's degree). Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel, delivered the commencement address. He told the graduates, "I believe that when you walk out these doors, the Air Force becomes better." Once Gen. Newton offered his final congratulations and AFIT Commandant Brig. Gen. Paula G. Thornhill passed out diplomas to the master's students, the ceremony highlighted the dissertations of the doctoral students: A Unified Framework for Solving Multiagent Task Assignment Problems, By Maj. Kevin Cousin, Advisor: Dr. Gilbert L. Peterson. Self-sufficient teams of robots are providing new ways to perform mission critical operations such as information gathering, search and rescue, and logistics planning. Maj. Cousin, with support from the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute, defines new techniques for artificially intelligent agents to autonomously and cooperatively communicate and solve complicated problems using economic strategies and biological models. The results of his research provide a crucial step for realizing the deployment of goal-oriented robot teams. Time Dependent Transport Discrete Ordinates Neutron Transport Using Distribution Iteration in XYZ Geometry, By Maj. James R. Dishaw, Advisor: Dr. Kirk Mathews. Nuclear weapon simulations and effects calculations require computer codes that produce results quickly and efficiently. Maj. Dishaw tackled a specific problem that is traditionally very computationally intensive and limits the precision of the computed results, namely neutral particle transport. With support from the Air Force Technical Applications Center, he developed an algorithm that more efficiently computes solutions to neutral particle transport problem and paves the way for more improved computations dealing with various aspects of nuclear weapons effects. Combat Identification with Synthetic Aperture Radar, Out-of-Library Identification, and Non-Declarations, By Maj. Mark A. Friend, Advisor: Dr. Kenneth W. Bauer, Jr. Automatic target recognition using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is critical to successful implementation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. With support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and Air Combat Command, Maj. Friend developed new methods to improve target classification from SAR data. He specifically focused on the system's ability to identify instances where insufficient information existed on targets being processed thereby reducing the number of false identifications. The results of this research will lead to improved performance of automatic target recognition systems for the Department of Defense. Piezo-Electrochemical Transducer Effect (PECT) Intercalated Graphite Micro-Electromechanical Actuators, By Maj. Glen A. Kading, Advisor: Maj. LaVern A. Starman. Micro-electromechanical actuators are used to introduce motion into microscopic mechanical systems designed to replace larger and heaver systems on aircraft and satellites. Maj. Kading with support from the Air Force Research Laboratory has developed the first micro-scale actuators made of graphite. His invention produces forces that are 10-100 times greater than current, conventional devices while expending less power. Maj. Kading's successes will lead to much improved performance of micro-electromechanical actuators for application in advanced aircraft and satellite systems. Composable Distributed Access Control and Integrity Policies for Query-Based Wireless Sensor Networks, By Maj. David W. Marsh, Advisor: Dr. Rusty O. Baldwin, Jr. Wireless sensor networks are particularly vulnerable to intrusion and, therefore, sensitive information can be compromised. Maj. Marsh, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Sensors Directorate, has developed a unique protocol to enforce security in wireless sensor networks thereby limiting access to sensitive information. His protocol also applies multiple networks that share information. Maj. Marsh's work provides for simple security policy updates, eliminates unnecessary communications in the networks and increases the lifetime of the network. Joint Image and Pupil Plane Reconstruction Algorithm based on Bayesian Techniques, By Maj. James D. Phillips, Advisor: Dr. Stephen C. Cain. Acquiring well-resolved images through the atmosphere is crucial for military surveillance activities but these images can be considerably distorted by atmospheric turbulence. Maj. Phillips, with support from the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, has developed an algorithm using a novel approach that combines data from two elements of an optical system, thereby significantly improving the resolution of these distorted images. His work will lead to improved design and performance of imaging systems with little increases in weight or volume to the collection platform. Development of Experimental, Analytical, and Numerical Approximations Appropriate for Nonlinear Damping Coatings, By Maj. Shad Reed, Advisor: Dr. Anthony Palazotto. Advanced turbine engine technology requires new and complex materials that will withstand the demands of the engine's use. With support from the Propulsion Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute, Maj. Reed developed a new experimental procedure that accurately determines the mechanical properties of these materials. He applied his methods to a candidate material, Magnesium Aluminate Spinel, thereby significantly increasing the level of understanding about its properties and behaviors. Considered to be a major advance, the results of this workbrings this material one step closer to being integrated into next generation turbine engines. Air Force officers composed the majority of the Class of March 2008; however, the Institute also graduated three Navy officers, five Army officers, three Marine Corps officers, seven Air Force enlisted, and 15 civilians, along with 17 international students from the countries of Turkey, Bahrain, and the Republic of Korea. Upon graduation, most AFIT students will fill technical positions requiring advanced academic degrees in their respective fields of study from across the Department of Defense. Four students were recognized for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies. The Commandant's Award was presented to Capt. Robert Johnson, who demonstrated the most exceptional individual master's thesis research. In recognition of his exceptional scholarship and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership, First Lt. Christina Rusnock was the recipient of the Mervin E. Gross Award, named in honor of Brig. Gen. Mervin E. Gross, first commandant of the institute. The Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. Award, named in honor of Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr., member of the institute's first graduating class and father of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, was presented to Maj. Heather Gallup for demonstrating strong personal leadership and accomplishing AFIT's education objectives in an outstanding manner. Finally, Master Sgt. Denzil Hellesen received the inaugural Secretary James G. Roche Award for demonstrating exceptional academic achievement through a combination of grade point average and outstanding thesis, as well as high qualities of character, initiative, leadership and service while in a master's graduate program. Congratulations to AFIT's graduating class of March 2008! DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS Master of Science Second Lt. Brian Dwayne Hockersmith Second Lt. Jesse David Peterson * Capt. Melanie Rae Slattery Second Lt. Seth B. Wagenman DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Master of Science Capt. J. Mark Belue First Lt. Gerod Michael Bonhoff Capt. Sean Christopher Michael Carroll Second Lt. Mark Edward Coyne Capt. Mark Edward DeYoung First Lt. Richard Dill Maj. David M. Dines Maj. Marnita Thompson Eaddie Capt. Thomas Frederick Fulton Ms. Jane J. Griffin Maj. Andrew P. Hansen* First Lt. Shannon Erin Marie Hunt Capt. Moses C. James First Lt. Michael B. Kolbe * Capt. Robert Landen Lidowski First Lt. Alan Chun Kai Lin Capt. Kelly Kathleen McElroy Maj. Kenneth E. Norman Capt. Dustin J. Nowak Capt. John Matthew Pecarina Capt. Gregory R. Roberts First Lt. Paul Noel Roque Maj. Bryan E. Skarda Mr. Al-Nath H. Tuting Capt. Raymond S. Way Capt. Dorsey Carl Wilkin * Master of Science in Computer Engineering Capt. Jeffrey P. Duffy First Lt. Theodore John Erickson First Lt. Charles A. Fetzek Second Lt. Alexander C. Gruenther Capt. Matthew Gundry Judge Capt. Daniel Molina Capt. Adrian Nicole Phillips Capt. Kevin James Savidge Master of Science in Electrical Engineering First Lt. Bora Cakiroglu (Turkey) First Lt. Kelson D. Chabak Maj. Marc A. Chiasson Jr. Second Lt. Christopher S. Costello Capt. James W. Crouch First Lt. Murat Dogrul (Turkey) First Lt. Sedat Ebcin (Turkey) Capt. Benjamin Duce Hancey Capt. Stephen J. Hopp Capt. Michael David Kaun First Lt. Jason Thomas Kent Capt. Eric Lam Maj. Thomas A. Lenz Capt. Adam J. Liddle Capt. Nathaniel C. Liefer * Capt. Michael B. Nielsen * First Lt. Soner Özer (Turkey) Capt. Scott Jay Pierce Second Lt. Adam J. Pohl Capt. Timothy R. Policarpio Capt. Brian M. Rickert Jr. Capt. Paul J. Shelnutt Capt. Jason W. Shirley Capt. Neil A. Soliman Capt. Aaron J. Sprecher Capt. Samuel J. Stone * Mr. William C. Suski II * First Lt. Severin M. Swanson Capt. Alfred Albert Tamayo III Capt. James Daniel Townsend Second Lt. Kevin Prasit Vitayaudom DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS Master of Science Capt. David Rexford Armbruster Capt. Richard M. Derbis Capt. Ryan N. Givens Capt. Eric M. Golden Capt. Allison S. Goodspeed Maj. Leslie S. Hawkins (US Army) Second Lt. Jessica L. Poindexter Capt. Joseph P. Reich III Capt. Justin Benjamin Spring * Capt. Eric W. Thompson Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Capt. Michael T. Hagg Capt. Kyle R. McAtee * Capt. Roger C. Platteborze Capt. Michael D. Plourde Capt. Joshua Daniel Rasmussen Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering Maj. David Arnold (US Army) Second Lt. Bryan D. Blasy Capt. David Edward Mather Capt. Kelly D. Rakes Maj. Matthew A. Ross (US Army) Capt. Briana J. Smith DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONAL SCIENCES Master of Science First Lt. Omer Alkanat (Turkey) Capt. David M. Bethea First Lt. A. Aydin Çandir (Turkey) Capt. Derrick M. Chelliah Ms. Emily Curtis Evans First Lt. Osman Bahadir Gokcen (Turkey) Capt. Robert Joseph Johnson * Capt. Ryan D. Kappedal Capt. Tae Ho Kim (Republic of Korea) Capt. Joseph S. Lupa Jr. Mr. Hunter Adam Marks First Lt. Adem Okal (Turkey) First Lt. Todd J. Paciencia * Capt. Ryan S. Ponack Capt. Bryan Thomas Sparkman Capt. Brian Benedict Stone Mr. Bryan Robert Tannehill Master of Science in Logistics Management Capt. Jeffrey M. Durand Capt. Christopher P. Gardner Capt. Aaron James Hepler Capt. Jeffrey Glen Holland * Capt. Kelly D. Kendall Tech. Sgt. Michael Kretser Capt. Phillip Kirk Larson Capt. Bryan D. Main Senior Master Sgt. Troy J. Miller Capt. Joseph A. Servidio Capt. Elise V. Strachan Capt. Lance Allen Vann Capt. Derek L. Williamson DEPARTMENT OF SYSTEMS AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT Master of Science Capt. Jonathan Paul Kochersberger (US Marine Corps) Maj. Stephanie McCormack-Brown Capt. Daniel J. Schneider Maj. Ian F. Thompson (US Marine Corps) Master of Science in Engineering Management Maj. Michael J. Beach Capt. Rebecca S. Corbin Capt. Donald Clinton Crabtree Capt. Daniel Alan Craig Capt. Andrew J. Cullen Maj. James S. Griffin * Capt. Krista M. Hickman * Capt. Ryan A. Howell Maj. Juan Andres Kays Second Lt. Janell Marie Lott Maj. David Michael Nyikos * Capt. Nathan P. Olsen Capt. James W. Rosner Capt. Theodore Jonathan Sotoropolis Capt. Luke D. Stumme Second Lt. Benjamin James Thomas Capt. Rick E. Vermillion Jr. Capt. R. Scott Wallace Capt. Paul S. Wever Maj. Jack Grierson Wheeldon III Capt. Elizabeth Ashley Yesué Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science Capt. Elisabeth M. Leon Maj. Gregory G. Seaman (US Marine Corps) Master of Science in Information Resource Management Capt. Brian D. Aschenbrenner Capt. Eric M. Ashe * Capt. Ryan D. Bechtloff Capt. John Anthony Chessman Capt. Capt. Robert M. Cowan Tech. Sgt. Michael T. Edwards Mr. John W. Fruge Tech. Sgt. David Patrick Gough Capt. Nicholas W. Haan * Chief Master Sgt. Randy M. Harris * Master Sgt. Denzil L. Hellesen Capt. Thomas Robert Kettles Jr. Capt. Kelli Kinley Maj. Ryan A. Maxon Capt. Michael W. Moseley Capt. Byron Decharm Nicholson Capt. Jason C. Norgaard Capt. Anthony Richard Otto Capt. Henry G. Paguirigan Capt. Frank Saavedra Mr. Jamison William Scheeres Capt. David M. Sorrels Capt. Mark A. Stratton Capt. Johnny E. Triplett Capt. Joseph Bernard Werling III Maj. John F. Whitfield Jr. (US Army) Master Sgt. Daniel J. Williams Capt. Ward Griffin Willis Capt. Edgard Ivan Zamora Master of Science in Research and Development Management Maj. John D. Bedingfield Maj. Jean-Paul Chaussé Capt. Brian Scott Confer Capt. Sandra Jane Dias Maj. Heather Lea Gallup Maj. Sidney Watson Goehring Capt. Reza Alexander Grigorian First Lt. Christina F. Rusnock * Mr. David Edward Shahady Capt. Charles David Solomon Master of Science in Systems Engineering Capt. Jason L. Brown Capt. Richard Aram Brown Maj. Arthur David Cartwright Capt. Douglas Andrew Ericson First Lt. Travis J. Hanson Capt. Anil Hariharan Capt. Clay J. Humphreys Capt. Alan Kevan Louie Capt. Logan O. Mailloux Capt. Bryon Edward Clute McClain Lt. Cmdr. Scott V. Rivera (US Navy) Capt. Neal R. Roach Capt. Wayne Carl Rohe Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Alan Sakryd (US Navy) Capt. Grant E. Spear First Lt. Nathan Farrington Welty * DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS Master of Science Capt. Troy Cerny First Lt. Mesut Gülmüs (Turkey) * Capt. Halil Ibrahim Özdemir (Turkey) Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering Capt. Abdulla Ahmed Al-Noaimi (Bahrain) Capt. Michael A. Arguello Second Lt. Michael E. Bartowitz Mr. Aaron J. Chmiel Capt. Abram Earl Claycomb Capt. Darrell Scott Crowe Capt. Ryan J. Davidson Capt. Steven J. Elliott Second Lt. Daniel E. Fredberg Capt. Hugh E. Gardenier IV Capt. Christopher L. Genelin Maj. Bartt G. Greene (US Marine Corps) Capt. David M. Hall * Capt. Terry B. Hankins Second Lt. John H. Hansen Second Lt. Alexander Robert Hausman Capt. Nathan Klatt Capt. Jason Kyle Lee Second Lt. David F. Martin II Maj. Scott A. McLaren Capt. Steven Michael Meents Capt. Nathan Aaron Pitcher Lt. Isaac Roland Jr. (US Navy) Capt. Steven William Speares * Capt. William Strain Second Lt. Craig Svanberg Capt. Nate A. Terning Capt. Roman T. Underwood Capt. Olek Wojnar Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering Capt. Rachel Marie Derbis Capt. Darrell L. Grob Capt. Christopher Donald Geisel* First Lt. Ceylan Kesenek (Turkey) Capt. Matthew Martin Schmunk First Lt. Sakir Tirsi (Turkey) * Capt. Bradley Robert Townsend (US Army) Second Lt. Dustin James Warner Second Lt. Jonathan W. Wright Doctor of Philosophy Maj. Kevin Cousin Maj. James R. Dishaw Maj. Mark A. Friend Maj. Glen A. Kading Maj. David Wesley Marsh Maj. James D. Phillips Maj. Shad A. Reed (In Absentia) Master of Science Mr. Jack Parker Barnett Mr. Todd C. Burnworth Capt. Brian M. Clarke Capt. Bo Yeon Jang (Republic of Korea) Mr. Bernard Jacob Loeffelholz Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering Mr. Alex M. Bohnert Master of Science in Electrical Engineering First Lt. S. Atinç Delican (Turkey) Mr. Christopher M. Schexnayder * Denotes Distinguished Graduate