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Faces of NPS

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Spotlighting the students, faculty, staff and alumni of our Nation’s premier defense education and research institution.

Cmdr. Sarah Cooper

Cmdr. Sarah Cooper

NPS AI Task Force IW Lead

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Mark Weatherford

Mark Weatherford

Head of Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy at NVIDIA

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Mark Karpenko, PhD

Mark Karpenko, PhD

Research Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

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Fabio Durante Pereira Alves, PhD

Fabio Durante Pereira Alves, PhD

Professor, Physics

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Timothy Shives, PhD

Timothy Shives, PhD

MS in IT Management ‘12 and MBA ‘12

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Capt. Rose Kingham, USMC

Capt. Rose Kingham, USMC

Student, Information Sciences & Applied Cyberspace Operations

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Maj. Patrik Liljegard, Swedish Armed Forces & Lt. Cmdr. Maximilian J. Leutermann Sr, U.S. Navy

Student, Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) & Student, Systems Engineering

Photo: Lt. Cmdr. Max Leutermann (L) and Maj. Patrik Liljegard (R) at JIFX 25-4.

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Ross Anthony Eldred

Faculty Associate – Research, Systems Engineering

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Lt. Col. Jennifer Nolta, USAF

Student, Dual degree in Astronautical Engineering and Physics

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Lt. Cmdr. Corey Rollins, USN

Student, MA in Security Studies

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Lt.j.g. Mustafa Emre Aydınlık, Turkish Navy

Student, Electronic Systems Engineering

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Lt. Pasquale Anthony Cassese, USN

MS in Applied Physics of Combat Systems

Addressing naval combat system architecture with directed energy systems

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Capt. Grant Wilson, USAF

MS in Defense Contract Management ‘24

Improving DOD acquisition with NPS research on ATO reform.

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Capt. Christian Thiessen, USMC

Dual MS in Defense Analysis (Applied Design for Innovation) and Information Warfare Systems Engineering ‘22

Delivering agile counter-UAS solutions for complex, contested environments.

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Kylie Ball (CIV) and Guillermo Juarez (CIV)

Students, MS in Program Management (Distance Learning)

NPS students explore UAVs to improve at-sea logistics and fleet readiness.

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Lt. Cmdr. Jason Mariscal, USN

Student, MS in Applied Design for Innovation and Program Management

Mariscal's research on decision-making tools and their impact on NSW.

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Jennifer Carson, PhD

NPS STEM Director

Learn about NPS STEM outreach, pipeline programs and internship opportunities.

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Lt. Joshua Mayberry

Student, Space Systems Engineering

Mayberry on how to get involved with the NPS and Monterey Peninsula community.

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Capt. Eric Skalski, USN

Dean of Students

Skalski brings NSW and operational leadership experience to next gen of leaders.

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Capt. Janet Days, USN (Ret.)

MBA ‘05

How Days is applying Navy leadership skills to new role in economic development.

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Tristan Volpe, PhD

Assistant Professor, Defense Analysis

Volpe examines how emerging technologies shape military strategy and security.

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Maj. Michael Cariello Noblit, USMC

MS in Defense Analysis, Special Operations Forces Irregular Warfare ‘24

Noblit explores how MARSOC can better integrate warfighting concepts

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Lt. Col. Temesha Christensen, USAF

MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) ‘20

Read how Christensen advances cybersecurity and defense with innovation.

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Vice Adm. Dimitrios Kataras, Hellenic Navy

Dual MS in Electrical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering ‘95

Read insights on leading the Hellenic Navy and reflecting on NPS impact.

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Lt. Vince Vanterpool, USN

MS in Operations Research ’24

Read about Lt. Vanterpool’s research on missile defense coordination.

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Cmdr. Frode Mjelde, Royal Norwegian Navy

MS in Human Systems Integration ‘13

Read about Mjelde's impactful research in virtual training for naval safety.

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Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington, USN

Student, Meteorology and Oceanography

Read about Wilmington's Arctic research and time at Ice Camp 24.

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Lt. Cmdr. Adam Johnson, USN

Student, Defense Logistics Management / Supply Chain Management

Read about Johnson’s Warfighter Driven Challenge to enhance fleet readiness.

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Todd Weatherford, PhD

Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Read about Weatherford's breakthroughs in rad-hard electronics for defense.

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Lt. Xisen Tian, USN

PhD Candidate, Computer Science '25

Read about Tian's research in cryptographic solutions for secure communications.

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Maj. Alex White, USMC

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) '21

Read about White’s work advancing live virtual constructive training.

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Maj. Will Oblak, USMC

Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES)

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Lt. Col. Scotty Black, USMC

PhD Candidate, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

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Capt. Madison Tikalsky, USAF

MBA, Acquisition & Contract Management ‘23

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Lt. Cmdr. Hans Lauzen, USN

Student, Space Systems Operations

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Wenschel Lan, PhD

PhD in Astronautical Engineering ‘15

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Cmdr. John “Patsy” Klein, USN (ret.), PhD

MS in Aeronautical Engineering, ‘97

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Lt. Cmdr. James Phan, USN

Student, Network Operations and Technology

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Ens. Olivia "Ollie" Shapiro, USN

Student, Electrical Engineering

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Lt. Col. Devin Smiley, USMC (Ret)

Athena Program Manager

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Amela Sadagic, PhD

Research Associate Professor

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Lt. Col. Jesse Attig, USMC

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '16

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Kaitie Penry

Director of Research Innovation, Naval Postgraduate School

Read about innovation initiatives at NPS.

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Adm. Eric Olson, USN (Ret)

MA in National Security Affairs '85

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The Hon. Leon Panetta

23rd Secretary of Defense

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Hank Plain

Chair, Board of Trustees

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Adm. Cecil Haney, USN (Ret)

MS in System Technology '87

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Adm. Michael Mullen, USN (Ret)

MS in Operations Research '85

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Karen Hargrove

Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Funding Committee

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Vice Adm. Timothy J. White, USN (Ret)

Modeling & Simulation Strategic Advisor to NPS

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Capt. Leah Hedgcorth, USMC

NPS Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation

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Jason Jones

MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '03

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Col. Omar Rabling Valdez, Mexican Army

MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare), December '23

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Capt. John Tully, USN

Foreign Area Officer Warfare Chair, Navy Senior Service Representative

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Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Philippine Marine Corps

Commandant, MS IN Defense analysis '04

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Capt. Anthony Burns, USAF

NPS Student, MS in Physics '23

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Frank Narducci, PhD

Chair, Physics Department

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Capt. Christian Wachter, USAF

NPS Student, MS in Electrical Engineering '23

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SMSgt. Gessica Lillich, USA

NPS Student, Defense Analysis

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Ryan Beall

MS in Systems Engineering '17

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Mathias Kölsch, PhD

Associate Professor, Computer Science

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Lt. Col. Pedro Ortiz, USA

PhD in Computer Science '23 & MS in Computer Science '10

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Lt. Col. Scott Humr, USMC

PhD Candidate, Information Sciences, September '23 & MS in Information Technology Management '13

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Capt. Johanna Tam, USMC

NPS Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation '23

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Christian Fitzpatrick

Faculty Associate - Research, Computer Science

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Capt. Ben Cohen, USMC

MS in Defense Systems Analysis & MS in Applied Design for Innovation ‘22

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Ukrainian Ground Forces (Identity Withheld)

MS in Computer Science

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Ens. Alexander Gore, USN

MS in Computer Science ‘23

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Maj. Mark Haasdijk, Netherlands Marine Corps

MS in Defense Analysis ‘23

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Computer Science Class of '91

An interview with the alumni of CS 01-368 during their 32nd Reunion at NPS

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Senator Mark Kelly

MS in Aeronautical Engineering ‘94

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Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Chlebo, USN

MS in Space Systems Operations ‘23

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Lt. Angelia O'Toole, USN

MS in Astronautical Engineering ‘22

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Lts. JaMerra Turner and Joanna Cruz

MS in Computer Science '22 and MS in Computer Science – Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '22

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Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, USN (Ret)

Chair & Professor of Practice, Undersea Warfare

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1st Sgt. Brandon Smart, USMC

MBA '22

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Bob Mortlock, PhD

Professor of Practice and Principal Investigator, Acquisition Research Program

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Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño, USAF

MBA '07 Senior International Defense Management certificate ‘21

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Master Sgt. Kade Forrester, USAF

MBA in Acquisition and Contract Management ‘23

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Kevin Smith, PhD

Vice Provost for Research

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Maj. Lucas Burke, USMC

MS in Computer Science '19

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Lt. Col. Daniel J Finkenstadt, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Defense Management

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Byron Harder, PhD

MS in Computer Science '08, PhD in MOVES '17

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Lt. Col. Sam Gray

MS in Operations Research '17, Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate '20

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Britta Hale, PhD

Assistant Professor, Computer Science

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Capt. Scott Jasper, PhD (Ret)

Senior Lecturer, National Security Affairs Department

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Phil Kirk

Director, Region 7 (Kansas City), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), DHS, MA in Security Studies (CHDS) '11

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Col. Todd Lyons (Ret)

Vice President, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, MS in National Security Affairs '00

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Mara Orescanin, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Oceanography

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Ens. Sarah Clark

MA in Security Studies '22

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Joan Melendez-Misner

MS in Systems Engineering '17

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Capt. Benjamin Waldon

MS in Systems Engineering Management ‘22

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Lt. Col. Erika Teichert, USSF

MS in Space Systems Operations '16

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Jim Newman, PhD

Chair, Space Systems Academic Group, Former NASA Astronaut

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Lt. Col. Holger Eichhorn

MA in Security Studies (Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa), '22

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Capt. Natalie Poggemeyer

MA in Security Studies (Eurasia), '21

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Cmdr. Thor Martinsen

NPS Permanent Military Professor

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Maj. Benjamin Pimentel

PhD Candidate, Information Sciences

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Ralucca Gera, PhD

Professor of Mathematics

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Lt. Erick Samayoa

MS in Applied Physics, '21

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Lt.j.g. Suzelle Thomas

MA in National Security Studies, ‘19

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Capt. Edward "Tick" McCabe

NPS Air Warfare Chair

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Bonnie Johnson, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Information Sciences

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Capt. Emily Hastings

Manpower Systems Analysis '23

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Brenda Shaffer

Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group

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Jae Jun Kim, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

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