📚 About Me

I’m a passionate researcher and educator with a focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their applications in critical domains such as finance, defense, and healthcare. My expertise spans across various areas, including large foundation models, multi-modal AI, robustness and safety in AI systems, and agentic AI design.

As an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department and IHMC-UWF Intelligent Systems & Robotics Department at the University of West Florida, I lead research initiatives in AI assurance, safety, and efficiency. My work aims to develop robust, safe, and adaptable AI systems that can operate effectively in complex and high-stakes environments.

I’m deeply committed to advancing the field of AI, with a particular focus on making large AI models more efficient and secure. My research often involves exploring techniques such as hardware-software co-design, distillation, quantization, and pruning to optimize and shrink large models without compromising their performance. I’m also keenly interested in adversarial AI and developing methods to ensure model safety for critical applications.

My work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications. Whether it’s developing novel approaches for AI robustness, exploring the intricacies of agentic AI design, or investigating the ethical implications of AI in critical sectors, I’m always eager to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI research and development.

If you’re interested in large language models, multi-modal AI, AI safety and robustness, or the future of efficient and secure AI systems, I’d love to connect and discuss potential collaborations or research opportunities!

Experience

  1. Associate Professor, Computer Science Department and Intelligent Systems & Robotics Department

    University of West Florida

    Responsibilities include:

    • Awarded the Reubin O’D. Askew Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies (AIMS) Faculty Fellowship
    • Secured $302,928 from the Army for research on the Neuro-symbolic Risk-Aware Deep Learning project
    • Established an entire ML team from scratch, including recruiting and hiring new faculty
    • Developed a fully asynchronous high-quality machine learning course with competitive leaderboard
    • Delivered talks at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and international conferences

  2. Research Scientist

    Institute of Human & Machine Cognition

    Responsibilities include:

    • Awarded a single PI proposal to the Army for $805,787 on AI model optimization
    • Developed an end-to-end deep learning framework for human state detection using commercial wearable sensors
    • Conducted research on robustness to synthetic perturbation testing as an indicator of real environment robustness
    • Collaborated on writing multiple proposals and white papers

  3. AI Test Tool Lead

    Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center

    Responsibilities include:

    • Developed and implemented the first DoD test tool factory framework for systematic AI testing
    • Secured $12 million in Congressional support for the JAITIC initiative
    • Pioneered the adoption of open-source Python-based libraries for AI testing tools
    • Established RAVEN, an AI T&E platform

  4. Senior AI Research Scientist

    U.S. Army Research Laboratory

    Responsibilities include:

    • Continued leadership in AI research and development
    • Advanced work on uncertainty quantification and AI safety
    • Collaborated on cross-disciplinary projects within the Army Research Laboratory

  5. Research Scientist and Internet of Battlefield (IoBT) Technical Research Area Lead

    U.S. Army Research Laboratory

    Responsibilities include:

    • Built and led the IoBT program, managing 1/3 of a $50M program
    • Integrated senior researchers from various institutions into the AI Assurance community
    • Formed and led a machine learning research team focused on uncertainty quantification, safe, robust, and resilient AI
    • Initiated and led the AI uncertainty and T&E community within the Army

  6. Adjunct Assistant Professor

    Virginia Tech, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

    Responsibilities include:

    • Taught advanced courses in network engineering
    • Conducted research on uncertainty quantification in AI and complex network optimization
    • Mentored graduate students in research projects
    • Collaborated with faculty on AI and network-related research initiatives

  7. Postdoctoral Fellow

    U.S. Army Research Laboratory

    Responsibilities include:

    • Conducted research on programmable networks and complex network optimization
    • Developed long-range tactical sensor networks using off-the-shelf protocols for efficient communication
    • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams on projects related to network optimization for defense applications
    • Contributed to publications and presentations on cutting-edge network research and communication efficiency

Education

  1. PhD in Electrical Engineering

    Virginia Tech

    Thesis on Modeling complex network dynamics via advanced mathematical programming techniques and developing computationally tractable algorithmic for network optimization.

    Research focused on developing novel approaches for network optimization and complex system modeling.

  2. MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering

    Virginia Tech

    Specialized in Operation Research.

    Courses included:

    • Advanced optimization techniques
    • Mathematical probability & statistics
    • Random processes
    • Advanced stochastic simulation

  3. MS in Electrical Engineering

    Virginia Tech

    Focused on Communication & Networking Systems.

    Courses included:

    • Modern wireless communication
    • Wireless network optimization
    • Information theory & networking
Skills
Technical Skills
Python
Deep Learning
Large Language Models
AI Safety & Security
Uncertainty Quantification
Soft Skills
Strategic Leadership
Teaching
Program Management
Mentoring
Communication