Lab News

Conference, Lab Updates

BID4R at INCOSE IS 2026 in Japan

Tim Mascal
Dr. James Hand (Left), Dr. Bryan Watson (Center), and Dr. Rogelio Garcia Otalvaro (Right) at INCOSE IS 2026

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN — This year the BID4R sent recent Ph.D. graduates Rogelio Garcia Otalvaro and James Hand to the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) International Symposium 2026 (IS 2026) in Yokohama, Japan. Alongside them the BID4R lab advisor Dr. Bryan Watson attended as Deputy Technical Program Chair for the conference. For next year Dr. Watson will be the Technical Program Chair for IS 2027 in Washington D.C., USA.

Rogelio and James presented papers that continued work from the presentations they made at last year’s IS 2025. Rogelio presented his work titled “Democratizing Resilience Analysis: Open-Source Tool Adaptation for Multi-Stakeholder Infrastructure Assessment”. This presentation gained interest in those looking for open-source solutions to resilience analysis.

James presented “A Sensitivity Analysis of the Effects of Spatial heterogeneity on System Resilience to Contagious Faults”, which is a direct follow up to one of the papers he presented that earned him the Brian Mar Best Student Paper at last year’s International Symposium.

The three, alongside another professor from ERAU Dr. Vidhyashree Nagaraju, and James’ wife Alexis Tucker attended the closing reception the evening after their presentation where they got to experience traditional Kagura dances and shamisen music performances. Outside the conference, members of the lab were also able to explore the local cuisine, visit nearby shrines, and other tourist experiences.”

Lab Updates

BID4R End of Semester Dinner

Tim Mascal
BID4R Lab Members at Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza, April 2026, (left to right) Spoorti Nanjamma, Fayruz Maysha, Grace Gratton, Maxwell Moolchan, Joanna Morris, James Hand, Bryan Watson, Nick Wilson, Graci Flaherty, Tim Mascal, Ava Neubert, Nate George, and Morgan Kendall

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — The Biologically Inspired Design-for-Resilience Lab (BID4R) wraps up a great Spring 2026 Semester. The lab shared a meal at Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza, enjoying fantastic pizza, with a crowd favorite being the unique Spaghetti and Meatball Pizza.

Spaghetti & Meatball Pizza at Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza (source: Trip Advisor)

Dr. Bryan Watson expressed his gratitude for everyone in the lab and their hard work. He emphasized the quality of the work the lab engages in, congratulated those who won well deserved accolades, scholarships, and professional recognition during the year. Dr. Watson shared his ambitions and plans for the coming semester and years.

The attendees expressed thank to Dr. Watson for his consistent support throughout the semester, and excellent advice during his meetings with lab members even as the lab has grown significantly in size since it was established in 2022.

Congratulations to the Graduates

James Hand, PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

It was also a bittersweet moment for the lab. As its first student member, James Hand, will be graduating with his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science this spring.

He is joined by other Spring 2026 graduates Noah Fulton who will be receiving his M.S. in Systems Engineering and Maxwell Moolchan who will be receiving his M.S. in Systems Engineering.

Additionally, Spoorti Nanjamma and Christine Sessions will both be graduating their Master’s Degrees and transitioning to PhD Students under Dr. Watson. Spoorti will be receiving her M.S. in Systems Engineering, while Christine will be receiving her M.S. in Systems Engineering and her MBA.

Noah Fulton, M.S. Systems Engineering
Maxwell Moolchan, M.S. Systems Engineering
Spoorti Nanjamma, M.S. Systems Engineering
Christine Sessions, M.S. Systems Engineering & MBA
All attendees of the BID4R Semester Sendoff Dinner
Conference, Lab Updates

BID4R Goes to CSER2026

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Congratulations to our lab members — Morgan Kendall, Ava Neubert, and Nathan George — on presenting at the Conference on Systems Engineering Research (CSER) and achieving publication. Bryan Watson, P. E. also represented the Biologically Inspired Design-for-Resilience (BID4R) Lab by chairing a session on Swarms and Multi-Agent Systems.

CSER is a premier conference in Systems Engineering, bringing together leading experts from academia and industry to deliver distinguished keynote presentations and drive discussions that shape the future of the field. Our lab members were grateful for the opportunity to learn from and connect with fellow innovators, as well as to share perspectives on how biologically inspired design can advance ongoing work in Systems Engineering.

“This year’s CSER focused on Intelligent Digital Twins, which is not typically a primary focus of our lab. I appreciated the exposure to a different area of Systems Engineering, as it sparked new research ideas and broadened my perspective. The conference was also an excellent opportunity to learn, connect with leaders in the field, and gain a deeper appreciation for the impact engineers can have on the world.”
— Nathan George

We are very grateful to George Mason University for hosting and look forward to seeing everyone again at University of Alabama Huntsville next year!

  • Nathan George, Presenting at CSER
  • Ava Neubert, Presenting at CSER
  • Morgan Kendall, Presenting at CSER

The papers we presented were:

A quorum sensing algorithm for emergent multi-agent system organization, By: Nathan George, Emel Sen Kilic, and Bryan Watson, P. E.

Demonstration of a Novel Biologically Inspired Swarm Consensus Algorithm in a Simulated Search and Rescue Case Study, By: Jack Capuano, Austen Pallen, Grace Gratton, Morgan Kendall, and Bryan Watson, P. E.

Interplay between Physical Design Choices and Emergent Cyber System Consensus: A Case Study with an Underwater Swarm, By: Ava Neubert and Bryan Watson, P. E.

Lab Updates

Dr. James Hand Recognized with Article in Embry-Riddle News

Tim Mascal
Dr. James Hand works with the Swarm Test Arena for Resilient Systems (STARS) robot swarm in the lab.
(Photo: Embry‑Riddle/David Massey)

Original Article from Embry-Riddle Press: Embry-Riddle Ph.D. Student Mines Insect Behaviors for Engineering Insights

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Dr. James Hand is featured in an article from Embry-Riddle news written by Michaela Jarvis. The article details his background, education, accomplishments, and work within the BID4R Lab. Please see the original article linked above.

Lab Updates, Networking Event

BID4R Visits Air Force Research Laboratory

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Dr. Bryan Watson at the Nature Inspired Research Facility at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida

Dr. Watson recently visited the Nature Inspired Research Facility (NIRF) an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) facilty, engaging with researchers across biology, ecology, and engineering domains. The visit highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing bio-inspired approaches to resilient systems.

Dr. Bryan Watson (Left) and Robert Moore (Right)

Discussions with biologists and ecologists emphasized the depth of insight achievable in understanding living systems, from physiological and neurological processes to chemical signaling. These perspectives continue to inform how BID4R frames sensing, adaptation, and resilience in engineered systems.

The visit also featured a technology demonstration from J. Sean Humbert’s group, providing a strong example of effective research communication. Beyond demonstrating functionality, the team clearly conveyed system impact through tailored visualizations, including “before” and “after” comparisons using custom tracking outputs. This approach reinforced the importance of making technical contributions immediately interpretable to diverse stakeholders.

The engagement supported ongoing BID4R efforts to align research with operational needs, particularly in the context of supporting active service members. Initial conversations explored how bio-inspired resilience concepts may contribute to emerging Air Force challenges, representing an early step toward future collaboration.

The visit also included a connection with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumnus Robert Moore, now a DoD civilian and former SMART Scholar. His work exemplifies the transition from academic training to operational impact in defense contexts.

BID4R Lab thanks the NIRF team for their hospitality and for facilitating productive technical discussions.

Lab Updates, Networking Event

Dr. Watson at the Pat Tillman Foundation Touchstone Leadership Program

Tim Mascal

BLACKSBURG, VA—Bryan Watson represented Bid4R Lab at the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Touchstone Leadership Program, a two-day intensive led by Beneath the Service and hosted at Virginia Tech (February 20–21, 2026).

The program brought together Pat Tillman Fellows from across disciplines for structured leadership development and cohort engagement. Sessions included Program Kickoff, Leading with DISC, Strategic Influence, Crafting & Delivering Strategic Content, Practical AI Use for Leaders, Effective Teaming, and Overcoming Immunity to Change. The format combined formal instruction, applied exercises, small-group work, and networking opportunities.

The Touchstone experience emphasizes practical leadership tools designed for immediate application across sectors. Participation provided opportunities to engage with fellows spanning medicine, law, science, engineering, and business, reinforcing the interdisciplinary nature of the Tillman community.
Bid4R Lab remains committed to leadership development alongside technical excellence. Experiences such as Touchstone strengthen the lab’s mentoring culture and support the continued development of students and collaborators.

Thank you to Virginia Tech, Dr. Deborah Bradbard, Pat Tillman Foundation, and Beneath the Service for hosting and facilitating the program.

Dr Bryan Watson at Pat Tillman Foundation Touchstone Leadership Program, Virginia Tech

Conference, Lab Updates

BID4R at SciTech 2026

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(Left to Right) James Hand, Nathan George, Dr. Bryan Watson, Spoorti Nanjamma, Ava Neubert, and Christine Sessions at AIAA SciTech 2026

ORLANDO, FL — We are proud to congratulate our lab members who presented their research at the 2026 AIAA SciTech Forum and whose work is now officially published.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Forum is a premier international venue for aerospace research, and having our work represented there reflects the dedication, rigor, and technical excellence of our research team. These contributions highlight the lab’s continued commitment to advancing knowledge in aerospace systems, autonomy, and interdisciplinary engineering research.

We commend our students and collaborators for their professionalism, perseverance, and outstanding scholarship, and we look forward to building on this momentum in future research efforts.

SciTech 2026 Photos

  • Spoorti Nanjamma presenting
  • Christine Sessions presenting
  • Joshua McGurn presenting
  • Ava Neubert presenting
  • Christine Sessions
  • (Left to Right) Spoorti Nanjamma, Ava Neubert, Dr. Bryan Watson, and Noah Pointer
Awards, Lab Updates

Two BID4R Members Honored in Aviation Week Class Of 2026 20 Twenties

Tim Mascal
Credit: Tina de la Rosa via Aviation Week Network

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Two BID4R Members, Grace Gratton and Spoorti Nanjamma, were selected as winners of Aviation Week’s 20 Twenties for their exceptional contributions in the aerospace STEM field. These Students and valued Lab Members will be honored on March 19th, 2026 with at the 68th Annual Laureates Awards and Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Grace Gratton (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/Bill Fredette-Huffman)

Grace Gratton, a Junior in the Space Physics Program, and Goldwater Scholar has been researching algorithms for multi-agent systems with applications for drone or satellite networks.

Her algorithms is biologically inspired by the hatching behavior of Giant South American River Turtle, a natural process that models distributed decision making.

“My work contributes to ensuring the security, reliability and effectiveness of the multi-agent systems our nation increasingly depends on,” Gratton said.

Spoorti Nanjamma, a candidate for a Master’s Degree is Systems Engineering and international student.

She is exploring the extent to which biologically inspired design (BID) has been implemented in satellite and CubeSat designs, identifying existing gaps and potential new BID applications. Nanjamma is also developing a guide to implementing BID for student satellite teams . 

Spoorti Nanjamma (Photo: Joseph M. Harrison)

She is applying her skills in model based system engineering to improve the development of Project COMET (the ERAU CubeSat Mission) with a well defined system architecture

“Having my work shared with top leaders across the aerospace industry is incredibly motivating and has opened new doors for me, which encourages me to keep aiming higher,” Nanjamma said.

Dr. Bryan Watson, the head of the BID4R lab, has said “It is an honor to work with students like Grace and Spoorti and this recognition is a testimony to the strength of the ERAU student body.” and that this is “a major accomplishment”.

References

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University News: Six Embry‑Riddle Students Honored in Aviation Week’s Prestigious 20 Twenties List

Aviation Week Network: Aviation Week Network Announces Class Of 2026 20 Twenties Winners

Awards, Lab Updates

BID4R Lab Member Accepts Prestigious NASA Internship

Tim Mascal
Jaden Caradine
B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — BID4R student, Jaden Caradine, was offered 3 different positions within the NASA pathways program before ultimately accepting a position in the Space Mission Analysis Branch at Langley Research Center. Their work closely aligns with his long-term goals of becoming a systems integration engineer for future space station projects similar to the ISS and project gateway.

The NASA Pathways program is a unique opportunity that provides a series of internships and mentorship that continue until you graduate. He’ll be starting his first internship in Jan 2026, continue to go back every summer until he finishes his master’s degree. NASA pathways interns are hired on as full time government employees. As they progress in their respective degree and field they become eligible for promotions within the pathways program and even have the option of transferring to other departments or NASA centers to determine the most suitable place for their skill set.

The NASA Pathways Program, unlike traditional internship programs, does not require him to apply every year; it guarantees a series of internships while he completes his undergraduate and graduate studies. At the completion of a program, it provides a direct pipeline to apply for full time employment with NASA.

Jaden Caradine is really excited to work with the Space Mission Analysis Branch as they develop Integrated architectures, perform mission risk analysis, and strategically provide programmatic and technical assessments of future missions and space technology. They develop and apply data driven decision models to inform NASA decision makers. It was hinted during his interview that he’ll be given a portfolio of technologies and systems and have the opportunity to evaluate the integration methods, identifying potential risks, and search for possible improvements. He won’t know exactly what he’ll be doing until he gets there, but he’s confident that no matter what project they put him on, this center will develop the core skills necessary for engineering leadership and decision making.

He said, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to share what I learn with my friends, colleagues, and community.”

Lab Updates

Veterans Appreciation Month: BID4R Veterans Featured on Local News

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In the Biologically Inspired Design for Resilience Lab veteran members are celebrated for their success and contributions as they continue to serve the community both in and outside the classroom. Check out what the community has to say about them below.

“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor guides veterans to success,” Spectrum News 13, Devin Martin, 17 November 2025, https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/11/17/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-professor-guides-veterans-to-success.
“ERAU in Daytona honoring veterans who still serve,” Volusia Hometown News, Robin Sharp, 7 November 2025, https://www.hometownnewsvolusia.com/news/erau-in-daytona-honoring-veterans-who-still-serve/article_ea54612b-a5a2-544e-b8ed-d9039ce94cf6.html
“Riddle Report: S01 E01 Bryan Watson”, Podcast, 17 SEP 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvRHAtq2Qao&list=PLtIRsDZqB3A7UhggW8egi61HK8gBR_6DD