Lab Members

Primary Investigator

Bryan Watson, Ph.D., P.E.

Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

watsonb3 at erau.edu

Bryan Watson, PE earned his Ph.D. at the Georgia Institute of Technology and his B.S. in Systems Engineering at the United States Naval Academy in 2009. After graduating, Bryan joined the nuclear Navy, serving as a submarine officer onboard the U.S.S Louisville and at the Naval Prototype Training Unit from 2009-2017. Significant milestones include earning the Master Training Specialist Certification (the military’s highest instructor accreditation), Nuclear Professional Engineer Certification, two Naval Achievement Medals, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and a Naval Commendation Medal for his work troubleshooting and repairing the Moored Training Ship 635’s reactor and electrical distribution faults. Following his transition from active duty, Bryan earned his PhD as a member of both the Computation and Advancement of Sustainable Systems Lab, where he developed a new method for distributed system demand estimation, and at the Sustainable Design and Manufacturing lab, where his work focused on increasing System of System resilience. Bryan’s work has been published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, Journal of Mechanical Design, and IEEE’s Systems Journal.

At Embry-Riddle, Bryan’s current work is focused on investigating the use of biologically inspired design to increase the resilience of modern system. The goal of their work is more reliable services to users, increased user safety, and increased sustainability for connected manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure systems.

Faculty Collaborator

Julianna Gesun, Ph.D.

Julianna Gesun, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

gesunj at erau.edu

Current Role: Assistant Professor of Engineering at ERAU (Engineering Fundamentals)

Research: Research broadly focuses on understanding and supporting the process by which engineering programs facilitate the environments for students to develop optimal functioning in undergraduate engineering programs. Her research interests intersect the fields of positive psychology, engineering education, and human development to understand the intrapersonal, cognitive, social, behavioral, contextual, cultural, and outcome factors that influence thriving in engineering.

Graduate Lab Members

James Hand

Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

handj6 at my.erau.edu

James Hand received his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2020. While there he worked on several projects, including the university’s NASA Lunabotics competition team. Following this he received his M.S. in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Daytona Beach, Florida in 2022, with a thesis focused on soft robotics in underwater environments. As part of this degree, he was recognized with the Outstanding Master’s Student award in 2021. Currently he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. During his time at ERAU he has worked with the Robotics Association of Embry-Riddle (RAER), working on the club’s NASA Lunabotics team as well as a new project focused on a rocket deliverable robot nicknamed J.I.M.B.O. Related to this he was given the opportunity to work with the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab during spring break 2023. His current research interests include multi-agent systems and how biological analogs can be applied to them. Additionally, robotics in space for exploration and assisting human exploration are of key interest.

Fayruz Maysha

Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

mayshaf at my.erau.edu

Fayruz is a Ph.D. student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, specializing in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. With a strong background in microbiology and biotechnology from BRAC University, Bangladesh, she is currently focusing on, “Bioinspired Algorithm for Infrastructure Design: Leveraging Kinship Coefficients in Eusocial Animals for Resilient System”. Her research seeks to enhance system resilience by applying the social structures and kinship dynamics of eusocial animals to infrastructure design. This innovative approach aims to create more adaptive and robust systems, reflecting Fayruz’s commitment to blending biological insights with engineering solutions to address complex challenges. A passionate advocate for women in STEM and an experienced public speaker, Fayruz’s aim is to harness her skills in biologically inspired design, data analysis, and the development of research tools to forge innovations that substantially advance human welfare.

André Luiz Elias Melo

Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering Air Traffic Systems Engineer at DECEA

Aeronautics Institute of Technology/Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

meloalem at fab.mil.br

André is a Ph.D. candidate in Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA) and currently a visiting researcher at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), USA. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from ITA and a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG). He works at the Brazilian Airspace Control Institute (ICEA/DECEA) as a systems engineer, leading the technical integration of uncrewed aircraft into Brazilian airspace. He also represents DECEA on the Advisory Council of the InterUSS Platform (Linux Foundation), contributing to global standards for UTM interoperability. His research interests include Urban Air Mobility (UAM), cybersecurity in UTM systems, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and AI for airspace management. He collaborates with international stakeholders such as Eurocontrol and ICAO, and has led projects in air traffic performance analytics, operational risk modeling, and digital infrastructure for drone operations.

Maxwell Moolchan

B.S. in Computer Science/M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

moolcham at my.erau.edu

Current work: Bed bug computer vision algorithm

Spoorti Nanjamma

B.S. in Spaceflight Operations/M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

nanjamms at my.erau.edu

Current work: Requirements Lead & Systems Engineer for Project COMET, Investigating BID in Cube Satellites.

Matthew Scheinblum-Brewer

Matthew Scheinblum-Brewer

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

scheinbm at my.erau.edu

Current work: Building and testing the robot swarm

Christine Portanova

Christine Sessions

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

B.S. Spaceflight Operations/M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

portanoc at my.erau.edu

Current work: Lead Systems Engineer for Project COMET (CubeSat Optical and mm-Wave Enabled Telecommunications)

Jonah Kohlmeyer

M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Kohlmeyj at my.erau.edu

Current work: Design and assembly of new hardware for the Swarm Test Arena for Resilience Systems (STARS), and modeling for spacecraft systems as part of CubeSat Optical and mm-Wave Enabled Telecommunications (COMET) project.

Tim Mascal

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering/M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

MASCALT at my.erau.edu

Current work: Researching behavior for the Swarm Test Arena for Resilience Systems (STARS) program.

Undergraduate Lab Members

Abigail Butcher

B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: butchea1 @my.erau.edu

Current work: Project COMET; Bifurcation Analysis of Supply Chains

Ava Neubert

Ava Neubert

B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: neuberta @my.erau.edu

Current work: Underwater Submarine Swarm

Grace Gratton

B.S. Candidate in Space Physcis

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: grattong @my.erau.edu

Current work: Developing consensus algorithms for Multi-Agent Systems

Graci Flaherty

B.S. Candidate in Data Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: flaherg1 @my.erau.edu

Current work: Developing autonomous charging prioritization for robotic swarms.

Jaden Caradine

B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: caradinj @my.erau.edu

Current work: Developing faulted agent detection models for Multi-Agent Systems

Joanna Morris

B.S. Candidate in Homeland Security and Intelligence

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: morrisj7 @my.erau.edu

Current work: Snapping Shrimp Algorithm applied to National Defense

Morgan Kendall

B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: kendalm2 @my.erau.edu

Current work: Multi Agent Systems Census Algorithms

Nathan George

B.S. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: georn10 @my.erau.edu

Current work: Upgrading electrical systems on the robot swarm

Nick Wilson

B.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact email: wilsn11 @my.erau.edu

Current work: : Diagnose and repair of damaged robotic hardware for the Swarm Test Arena for Resilience Systems (STARS).

Noah Pointer

B.S. Candidate in Software Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

pointern at my.erau.edu

Current work: Assisting Dr. Gesun with Engineering Thriving by researching how to utilize machine learning to interpret biometric data

Alumni

Austen Pallen

M.S. Candidate in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

pallena at my.erau.edu

Past Research: Implementation of a Turtle-Based Consensus Algorithm on Drone Swarm Search & Rescue. Investigated consensus models in MASs and biological systems for influence in increasing the capabilities of MASs.

Rasika Ravindra Kale

M.S. in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

kaler1 at my.erau.edu

Current Job: Model-based software verification engineer

Past Research: Worked towards building the rover swarm test platform, now known as STARS with BID4R lab. Researched and implemented systems Engineering approach towards planning, implementation and testing of the Bio-Inspired algorithms with the swarm. Published a paper for ASEE 2025 based on how this is a great educational platform for hands-on approach to multidisciplinary engineering. Previous research was focused on model-predictive control for a network of deep space satellites.

Dawson Jones

B.S. in Spaceflight Operations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

joned128 at my.erau.edu

Past Research: Assisted in the development of hardware and software solutions for the S.T.A.R.S swarm

Rachel Swan

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

swanr3 at my.erau.edu

Past Research: Researched engineering thriving at the micro, meso, and macro levels

Jessica Christa Wira Hadipoernomo

B.S. Candidate in Computational Mathematics/M.S. Candidate in Data Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

wirahadj at my.erau.edu

Past Research: Researching sandpipers behavior in food search as a potential source for inspiration for bio-inspired optimization algorithm

(Summer 2023-Spring 2025)

Benjamin Wierzbanowski

M.S. in Systems Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

wierzbab at my.erau.edu

Current Job: PE Trainee for Florida Department of Transportation

Past Research: An Exploration of Prototyping Strategies and Frameworks through a Systematic Literature Review, Additive Manufacturing in Space, and AI Volleyball Video Processing.

(Spring 2024-Summer 2024)

Jack Capuano

B.S. Candidate in Computer Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

capuanoj at my.erau.edu

Current Job: Associate Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman

Past Research: Implementation of a Turtle-Based Consensus Algorithm on Drone Swarm Search & Rescue.

Creation and use of a software testbed for multi-agent-systems, such as a fleet of drones, and their use in search and rescue operations. The testbed will be useful in furthering the efficiency and success rate of search and rescue missions, as well as for testing consensus algorithms among multi-agent-systems.

(Spring 2023-Spring 2024)

Julia Gorthey

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

gortheyj at my.erau.edu

Current Job: Commercial Blades EDM Process Manufacturing Engineer at Pratt & Whitney

Past Research: Biological Inspired Resource Allocation for Distributed Multi-Agent System with Limited Knowledge.

Researching and modeling the ant colony optimization and similar behaviors of coral shrimp to understand how to optimize resources from sustainability.

(Spring 2023-Spring 2024)

Aidan Curry

B.S. Candidate in Human Factors Psychology

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

currya4 at my.erau.edu

(Spring 2023)

Dmytro Kravchenko

B.S. Candidate in Spaceflight Operations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

kravched at my.erau.edu

Work: Identification and classification of biological processes, which natural systems rely on to detect a faulted agent within their system.

(Spring 2023-Spring 2024)

Rogelio Gracia Otalvaro

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

graciaor at my.erau.edu

Rogelio Gracia earned his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Systems Engineering in ICAI, Madrid, Spain in 2020 and 2022 respectively, with majors in Electronics and Automation for both. In 2022 he also earned his M.S. in Mechanical Systems Engineering in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has 3+ years of professional experience in the real-estate, healthcare and financial sectors acting as a technical and financial consultant. After these experiences he chose to pursue his Ph.D. in EECS in Embry-Riddle where he focuses on researching about different system properties and their scalability, new technologies like AI and ML, and teaches a lab in Control Dynamics.