BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS go Colors:
ated: 382 -100-0
Most Promising Engineer or Scientist - Industry
LEONA CHARLES, PH.D. Payload Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Leona Charles graduated from CUNY in 2008 with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering—her more than four-year research helped to advance the science of air pollution. Dr. Charles brought a results-driven record to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, and because of her experience in cooperative remote sensing sci- ence and technology research, she was selected as an analyst on one of the most important national defense space sensor programs. Dr. Charles’ role was to validate sensor performance data dur- ing a test sequence that simulates space. Over a year, she led an incisive analysis on the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), uncovering a performance issue with the sensor that, if not cor- rected, could have resulted in failure on orbit. The Air Force and its consulting organization, Aerospace, remarked that the project was one of the best root cause and fault determining efforts from all Northrop Grumman Space-Based Infrared System sectors. As a result of identifying a major flaw on the surveillance sensors for SBIRS GEO, Dr. Charles received the 2008 Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Timely Award Plan award. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems also recognized Dr. Charles as part of the team that received the highest award presented by the division in 2009. In addition to her technical prowess, Dr. Charles has been active in human resource issues, including serving as a representative for minority groups during her college years and, lately, as a young professional at Northrop Grumman.
Outstanding Technical Contribution - Government
KERRY NICHOLS Computer Engineer, GS-13, Wind System Software Lead, Naval Air Systems Command Kerry Nichols does exceptional work as an engineer and a leader in the NAVAIR Moriah Wind System program. Used by both the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in advanced wind and navigation information for defense applications, the digital Moriah Wind System includes multifunctional color displays and provides accurate wind speed and direction measurements. Integrated on approximately 35 vessels, it is expected to replace the Navy and Coast Guard’s current Type F Windbird sensors and data distribution equipment. A software-intensive system that often presents some of the most difficult technical problems, the Moriah Wind System requires the input of bright and insightful software engineers. Mr. Nichols is one such contributor. Whether he is developing code, supporting Virginia-based Quality Perfor- mance, Inc.—the Naval Air Systems Command’s prime contractor for the Moriah Wind System—in delivering systems to the fleet or providing technical insight to a host of new ship initiatives, he has proven to be a valuable asset. Currently, Mr. Nichols is building a Moriah Wind System team of other high-level specialist software engineers and has been mentoring them very successfully. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from City College of New York in 2002, and began work as a software developer for the integrated shipboard information systems in February 2003. By March of the next year, he had earned a pro- motion to lead software engineer for the Moriah Wind System.
26 USBE&IT I WINTER 2011
www.blackengineer.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136