EMERALD HONORS WINNERS
mission. Currently, Sun is lead for flight control engineering and provides real-time support for resolution of on-station anomalies. Recently, he was responsible for DirecTV 10’s end-of-life recom- mended operating procedure development. He also provided a draft of the recommended operating procedure, which was validated and delivered to the satellite’s customer. In addition, he performed a conceptual Attitude Control System mode design for Boeing customer Inmarsat. Sun grew up in China in the shadow of the cultural revolution. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Zhengzhou University in 1982 and then came to the United States on an exchange program, after which he eventually earned his doctorate in Physics from the University of Kansas in 1991. He spent four years working as a theoretical physicist after obtaining his Ph.D. and worked as a researcher at Cal State Northridge and Georgia Tech. He joined the private sector in 1995, worked for Hughes Information Systems (1995-1997), Raytheon (1997-1999), and Hughes Space and Communications (2000-2003) before joining Boeing in 2003. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in 2011. Sun holds one U.S. patent.
Research Leadership
Christina L. Brantley Experimental Developer (Nanostructure Devices) Electronics and Computer Technology Division Weapons Integration Directorate U.S. Army Aviation and Missle Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC)
Brantley graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electri- cal Engineering in 2002. She is now near completion of coursework that is required for a master’s degree in Physics with concentration in Optics from Ala- bama A&M Univer- sity. Brantley also has
A
plans to continue her mastery of optics by matriculating in the Ph.D. program—a little more than a decade since Brantley began her pursuit of scientific research as a Science and Engineering Apprentice at the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC). In 2002, she moved from her apprentice position to a full-time computer engineer appoint- ment, which she held until 2009. Brantley’s achievements as a
64 USBE&IT I WINTER 2012
labama- born
Christina
computer engineer include the development of nanomaterial sen- sors with sensitivities to the parts per billion—capable of being placed in the ruptured disk of rocket motors and on the surface of a missile launch canister. Her research contributions have resulted in publications in referred journals, conference proceedings, and two Invention Disclosure Applications. Brantley has investi- gated nanometer/wire-based chemical sensors and substrates and advancement of this technology will aid in the prediction of propellant degradation and help to reduce the weight and cost of weaponry diagnostics. Her research in a fast-speed beam scanner, based on optics for tactical seekers, has also resulted in multiple publications in refereed journals. Her research on the coating of optical fibers is a technology breakthrough. Prior to her research, the cladding of optical fibers had to be stripped before the grat- ing was applied. Brantley’s work has the potential to result in huge savings in the maintenance of fielded weapons systems and change the design of nanotechnology-based sensor, warhead, and fuse technology. Her collaborations with university profes- sors and industry scientists and engineers have led to significant advances in emerging technologies for aviation, missiles and space applications. One of the first junior engineers to perform a considerable number of intra-directorate projects, she has done a tremendous job in documenting her research in combined techni- cal papers, refereed journals as well as conference proceedings. Her expertise in advanced theories and concepts for applica- tion of technology to sensor development for missile systems is sought across academia as well as industry, and extremely valuable to America’s defense and security. Brantley is a major contributor on two patents. She has also served as chair for the International Society for Optical Engineering’s Smart Structures/ Non Destructive Evaluation for two years. As an experimental developer for the Weapons Development and Integration Direc- torate of AMRDEC, she gives back to a science and engineering apprentice program (SEAP) that began her dream. Each summer, she serves as a mentor and supervisor in SEAP and her students take part in meaningful research in electronic design, optics and nanotechnology. Brantley has been key in the successful recruit- ment of talented engineering students from historically Black colleges and universities, including Tennessee State and A&M. She was the first early-career engineer to begin a joint scientific research effort with Alabama A&M, in the application of nano- materials for weaponry health monitoring. Brantley has received multiple awards for her outstanding contributions in support of AMRDEC’s mission, including the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service from General Ann E. Dunwoody of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, a Department of the Army, Engineers and Scientists Career Program recognition for being nominated for the 2007 Black Engineer of the Year Award’s Most Promising Engineer or Scientist in Government, and the 2009 Department of Defense Women’s History Month Foreign Language and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Role Model Award. She is a mentor for a Department of the Army outreach program, Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science program (GEMS), and serves as a science and math tutor to elementary and middle school students from low-income communities in Huntsville, Ala.
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