news

Faces of NPS

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Back to NPSF News

Spotlighting the students, faculty, staff and alumni of our Nation’s premier defense education and research institution.

CDR Jens “Hermey” Berdahl

CDR Jens “Hermey” Berdahl

PhD in Applied Physics

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

LT Berk Cekli, USN

LT Berk Cekli, USN

MS in Network Operations and Technology 26'

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Ricardo Atiles

Lt. Cmdr. Ricardo Atiles

Student, Operations Research

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Matthew J Robinson

Maj. Matthew J Robinson

MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulations '22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lisa Lapin

Lisa Lapin

Founder, Lapin Strategy

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Cmdr. Sarah Cooper

Cmdr. Sarah Cooper

NPS AI Task Force IW Lead

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Mark Weatherford

Head of Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy at NVIDIA

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Mark Karpenko, PhD

Research Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Fabio Durante Pereira Alves, PhD

Professor, Physics

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Timothy Shives, PhD

MS in IT Management ‘12 and MBA ‘12

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Rose Kingham, USMC

Student, Information Sciences & Applied Cyberspace Operations

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Patrik Liljegard, Swedish Armed Forces & Lt. Cmdr. Maximilian J. Leutermann Sr, U.S. Navy

Student, Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) & Student, Systems Engineering

Photo: Lt. Cmdr. Max Leutermann (L) and Maj. Patrik Liljegard (R) at JIFX 25-4.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ross Anthony Eldred

Faculty Associate – Research, Systems Engineering

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Jennifer Nolta, USAF

Student, Dual degree in Astronautical Engineering and Physics

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Corey Rollins, USN

Student, MA in Security Studies

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt.j.g. Mustafa Emre Aydınlık, Turkish Navy

Student, Electronic Systems Engineering

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Pasquale Anthony Cassese, USN

MS in Applied Physics of Combat Systems

Addressing naval combat system architecture with directed energy systems

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Grant Wilson, USAF

MS in Defense Contract Management ‘24

Improving DOD acquisition with NPS research on ATO reform.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Christian Thiessen, USMC

Dual MS in Defense Analysis (Applied Design for Innovation) and Information Warfare Systems Engineering ‘22

Delivering agile counter-UAS solutions for complex, contested environments.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Kylie Ball (CIV) and Guillermo Juarez (CIV)

Students, MS in Program Management (Distance Learning)

NPS students explore UAVs to improve at-sea logistics and fleet readiness.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Jason Mariscal, USN

Student, MS in Applied Design for Innovation and Program Management

Mariscal's research on decision-making tools and their impact on NSW.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Jennifer Carson, PhD

NPS STEM Director

Learn about NPS STEM outreach, pipeline programs and internship opportunities.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Joshua Mayberry

Student, Space Systems Engineering

Mayberry on how to get involved with the NPS and Monterey Peninsula community.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Eric Skalski, USN

Dean of Students

Skalski brings NSW and operational leadership experience to next gen of leaders.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Janet Days, USN (Ret.)

MBA ‘05

How Days is applying Navy leadership skills to new role in economic development.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Tristan Volpe, PhD

Assistant Professor, Defense Analysis

Volpe examines how emerging technologies shape military strategy and security.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Michael Cariello Noblit, USMC

MS in Defense Analysis, Special Operations Forces Irregular Warfare ‘24

Noblit explores how MARSOC can better integrate warfighting concepts

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Temesha Christensen, USAF

MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) ‘20

Read how Christensen advances cybersecurity and defense with innovation.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Vice Adm. Dimitrios Kataras, Hellenic Navy

Dual MS in Electrical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering ‘95

Read insights on leading the Hellenic Navy and reflecting on NPS impact.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Vince Vanterpool, USN

MS in Operations Research ’24

Read about Lt. Vanterpool’s research on missile defense coordination.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Cmdr. Frode Mjelde, Royal Norwegian Navy

MS in Human Systems Integration ‘13

Read about Mjelde's impactful research in virtual training for naval safety.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington, USN

Student, Meteorology and Oceanography

Read about Wilmington's Arctic research and time at Ice Camp 24.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Adam Johnson, USN

Student, Defense Logistics Management / Supply Chain Management

Read about Johnson’s Warfighter Driven Challenge to enhance fleet readiness.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Todd Weatherford, PhD

Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Read about Weatherford's breakthroughs in rad-hard electronics for defense.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Xisen Tian, USN

PhD Candidate, Computer Science '25

Read about Tian's research in cryptographic solutions for secure communications.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Alex White, USMC

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) '21

Read about White’s work advancing live virtual constructive training.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Will Oblak, USMC

Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES)

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Scotty Black, USMC

PhD Candidate, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Madison Tikalsky, USAF

MBA, Acquisition & Contract Management ‘23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Hans Lauzen, USN

Student, Space Systems Operations

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Wenschel Lan, PhD

PhD in Astronautical Engineering ‘15

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Cmdr. John “Patsy” Klein, USN (ret.), PhD

MS in Aeronautical Engineering, ‘97

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. James Phan, USN

Student, Network Operations and Technology

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ens. Olivia "Ollie" Shapiro, USN

Student, Electrical Engineering

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Devin Smiley, USMC (Ret)

Athena Program Manager

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Amela Sadagic, PhD

Research Associate Professor

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Jesse Attig, USMC

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '16

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Kaitie Penry

Director of Research Innovation, Naval Postgraduate School

Read about innovation initiatives at NPS.

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Adm. Eric Olson, USN (Ret)

MA in National Security Affairs '85

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

The Hon. Leon Panetta

23rd Secretary of Defense

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Hank Plain

Chair, Board of Trustees

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Adm. Cecil Haney, USN (Ret)

MS in System Technology '87

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Adm. Michael Mullen, USN (Ret)

MS in Operations Research '85

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Karen Hargrove

Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Funding Committee

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Vice Adm. Timothy J. White, USN (Ret)

Modeling & Simulation Strategic Advisor to NPS

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Leah Hedgcorth, USMC

NPS Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Jason Jones

MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '03

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Col. Omar Rabling Valdez, Mexican Army

MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare), December '23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. John Tully, USN

Foreign Area Officer Warfare Chair, Navy Senior Service Representative

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Philippine Marine Corps

Commandant, MS IN Defense analysis '04

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Anthony Burns, USAF

NPS Student, MS in Physics '23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Frank Narducci, PhD

Chair, Physics Department

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Christian Wachter, USAF

NPS Student, MS in Electrical Engineering '23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

SMSgt. Gessica Lillich, USA

NPS Student, Defense Analysis

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ryan Beall

MS in Systems Engineering '17

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Mathias Kölsch, PhD

Associate Professor, Computer Science

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Pedro Ortiz, USA

PhD in Computer Science '23 & MS in Computer Science '10

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Scott Humr, USMC

PhD Candidate, Information Sciences, September '23 & MS in Information Technology Management '13

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Johanna Tam, USMC

NPS Student, Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation '23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Christian Fitzpatrick

Faculty Associate - Research, Computer Science

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Ben Cohen, USMC

MS in Defense Systems Analysis & MS in Applied Design for Innovation ‘22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ukrainian Ground Forces (Identity Withheld)

MS in Computer Science

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ens. Alexander Gore, USN

MS in Computer Science ‘23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Mark Haasdijk, Netherlands Marine Corps

MS in Defense Analysis ‘23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Computer Science Class of '91

An interview with the alumni of CS 01-368 during their 32nd Reunion at NPS

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Senator Mark Kelly

MS in Aeronautical Engineering ‘94

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Chlebo, USN

MS in Space Systems Operations ‘23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Angelia O'Toole, USN

MS in Astronautical Engineering ‘22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lts. JaMerra Turner and Joanna Cruz

MS in Computer Science '22 and MS in Computer Science – Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, USN (Ret)

Chair & Professor of Practice, Undersea Warfare

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

1st Sgt. Brandon Smart, USMC

MBA '22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Bob Mortlock, PhD

Professor of Practice and Principal Investigator, Acquisition Research Program

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño, USAF

MBA '07 Senior International Defense Management certificate ‘21

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Master Sgt. Kade Forrester, USAF

MBA in Acquisition and Contract Management ‘23

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Kevin Smith, PhD

Vice Provost for Research

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Lucas Burke, USMC

MS in Computer Science '19

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Daniel J Finkenstadt, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Defense Management

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Byron Harder, PhD

MS in Computer Science '08, PhD in MOVES '17

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Sam Gray

MS in Operations Research '17, Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate '20

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Britta Hale, PhD

Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Scott Jasper, PhD (Ret)

Senior Lecturer, National Security Affairs Department

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Phil Kirk

Director, Region 7 (Kansas City), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), DHS, MA in Security Studies (CHDS) '11

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Col. Todd Lyons (Ret)

Vice President, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, MS in National Security Affairs '00

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Mara Orescanin, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Oceanography

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ens. Sarah Clark

MA in Security Studies '22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Joan Melendez-Misner

MS in Systems Engineering '17

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Benjamin Waldon

MS in Systems Engineering Management ‘22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Erika Teichert, USSF

MS in Space Systems Operations '16

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Jim Newman, PhD

Chair, Space Systems Academic Group, Former NASA Astronaut

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Col. Holger Eichhorn

MA in Security Studies (Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa), '22

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Capt. Natalie Poggemeyer

MA in Security Studies (Eurasia), '21

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Cmdr. Thor Martinsen

NPS Permanent Military Professor

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Maj. Benjamin Pimentel

PhD Candidate, Information Sciences

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Ralucca Gera, PhD

Professor of Mathematics

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt. Erick Samayoa

MS in Applied Physics, '21

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Lt.j.g. Suzelle Thomas

MA in National Security Studies, ‘19

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

View More

Stay Engaged With The Faces Of NPS!

Nominate Someone For Faces Of NPS!

Nominate yourself or another Naval Postgraduate School alumnus, current student, faculty or staff member for consideration in a future Faces of NPS e-newsletter!

Light and dark blue arrow pointing right

Submission Form

Join Our Mailing List!

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e73ee3c61557474caa0c7c49c656cd6a

close

.iframe-container{ position: relative; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; } .iframe-container iframe{ position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }