I am an avid learner, researcher, and educator. I spent 19 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, as a Principal Researcher in the Machine Learning and Instrument Autonomy Group (2003 to 2022). At JPL, I focused on investigating ways that machine learning can be used to enable scientific discoveries and increase the autonomy of space missions. It has been a richly rewarding, exciting position working with stellar colleagues from planetary science, radio astronomy, cosmology, agriculture, library science, and other fields. In addition, I had the unusual chance to serve as a tactical planner and uplink lead for the Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover (2013 to 2017) and as the PDS Imaging Node Technologist (2018 to 2022).
In 2022 I made the decision to retire from JPL and identify additional areas in which I could have impact. From 2019 to 2023 I taught courses at Oregon State University. I am now serving as a Congressional Fellow in Artificial Intelligence through the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program. I am passionate about keeping machine learning efforts relevant to our society's needs.
My research projects have included:
News and upcoming events: