RESEARCH INTERESTS

Modeling and Simulation for Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) Operations

DoD Directive 3000.05 dated November 2005 established the requirement to put stability operations on equal footing with combat operations. This raises significant challenges for modeling and simulation in support of training, analysis, experimentation, mission planning, and rehearsal. I introduced a new course at NPS (MV4657) to explore the challenges to M&S for SSTR Operations and have been conducting research for the Navy M&S Office and OPNAV N81 to examine M&S requirements for SSTR Operations in support of Naval analyses.

Semantic Web

The Semantic Web promises to make information more accessible and usable by software. The Semantic Web Stack starts from a foundation of Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) for identifying resources on the Web, then to the Extensible Markup Language (XML) layer for tagging data on the Web, then to the XML Schema layer for formalizing definition of document structure and content, then to the Resource Definition Framework (RDF) for making assertions (subject-predicate-object triples) about resources (i.e., concepts), then to RDF Schema for defining classes of resources and properties on classes, then to the Web Ontology Language (OWL) for greater precision and detail in definition of classes, class properties, and individuals in a knowledge base, then to expression of rules (e.g., Semantic Web Rule Language), and then to higher layers for Logic and Trust. I have been working on several projects to employ various technologies across the layers of the Semantic Web stack for interoperability across various track models, for archiving Verification, Validation, and Accrediation (VV&A) documentation, and for supporting search and discovery of information from M&S repositories and combat system software repositories.

Thesis Advising

LCDR Jonathan Beris, USN, and MAJ Eric Whittington, USMC, "Defining Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) Operations Requirements for Future Department of the Navy Training and Analytical Models and Simulations," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2008. [Advisor]

LT Tellis A. Fears, USN, "Framing Cultural Attributes for Human Representation in Military Training and Simulations," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2008. [Co-Advisor]

LT Andre Tiwari, USN, "Small Boat and Swarm Defense: A Gap Study," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2008. [Co-Advisor]

LCDR Jason T. Morris, USN, "Information Management Utilizing Valued Information at the Right Time (VIRT) as Applied to a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Mission," Information Technology Management Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2008. [Second Reader]

Maj Sevdalin Stoykov, Bulgarian Army, "Using a Competitive Approach to Improve Military Simulation Artificial Intelligence Design," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2008. [Second Reader]

LT Patrick Sullivan, USN, "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Waterside Security Alternatives for Force Protection of US Navy Ships and Installations using X3D Graphics and Agent Based Simulation," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2006. [Co-Advisor]

ENS Candace Childers, "Applying Semantic Web Concepts to support Net-Centric Warfare and Global Information Grid (GIG) using the Tactical Assessment Mark-up Language (TAML)," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, June 2006. [Co-Advisor]

LCDR Rafael A. Acevedo, "Valued Information at the Right Time (VIRT) and the Navy's Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) -- A Win/Win Proposition," Information Technology Management Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2006. [Co-Advisor]

Captain Jasur Khakimbaev, "Adaptability and Interoperability of Open Source 3D Terrain Maps for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight and Mission Control Support Systems (FMCSS)," MOVES Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2006. [Co-Advisor]

LCDR Patrick S. Brown, USN, "Analyses of Iraqi Infrastructure Protection using Network Optimization and Simulation Tools," Operations Logistics Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, to be completed September 2005. [Co-Advisor]

Maj Ian Denny, Canadian Army, and LCDR Dieter Jahn, German Navy, "Performance Comparison of Relational and Native-XML Databases using the Semantics of the Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM)," Information Systems Technology Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, to be completed September 2005. [Co-Advisor]

Maj Glenn A. Hodges, USA, "Designing a Common Interchange Format for Unit Data using the Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM) and XSLT," Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2004. [Advisor] (thesis available here)

Maj David Lowery, USMC, "Utilization of Web Services to Improve Communications of Operational Information," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2004. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here 3.2MB)

Ltjg Fahrettin Akbori, Turkish Navy, "Autonomous Agent Based Simulation of Antisubmarine Warfare Operations with the Goal of Protecting a High Value Unit," Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. [Second Reader] (thesis available here)

Chin Siong Lee, Singapore Defence Science and Technology Agency, "NPS AUV Workbench: Collaborative Environment for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Mission Planning and 3D Visualization," Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here)

Ltjg Kivanc Metingu, Turkish Navy, "Wireless Communications Infrastructure for Collaboration in Common Space," Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. [Advisor] (thesis available here)

LCDR Saundra L. Amsden, USN, "Web Portal Design, Execution and Sustainability for Naval Websites and Web Services," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here 4.3MB)

Capt Brian E. Hittner, USA, "Rendering Large-Scale Terrain Models and Positioning Objects in Relation to 3D Terrain," Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here)

CDR Gary K. Hout, USNR, "Toward XML Representation of NSS Simulation Scenario for Mission Scenario Exchange Capability," Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here)

Capt Claude O. Hutton, Jr., USMC, "3D Battlespace Visualization using Operational Planning Data," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here 6.4MB)

Capt Sean E. Hynes, USMC, "Multi-Agent Simulations (MAS) for Assessing Massive Sensor Coverage and Deployment," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. [Second Reader] (thesis available here)

Capt James D. Neushul, USMC, "Interoperability, Data Control and Battlespace Visualization using XML, XSLT and X3D," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. [Second Reader] (thesis available here)

LT James W. Harney, USN, "Analyzing Anti-Terrorist Tactical Effectiveness of Picket Boats for Force Protection of Navy Ships Using X3D Graphics and Agent-Based Simulation," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here)

Capt Khaled Mnif, Tunisian Army, "Using XML/HTTP to Store, Edit, Serve and Annotate Tactical Scenarios for X3D Operational Visualization and Anti-Terroristist Training," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2003. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here 5.1MB)

Ltjg Ekrem Serin, Turkish Navy, "Design and Test of the Cross Format Schema Protocol (XFSP) for Networked Virtual Environments," Computer Science Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, March 2003. [Second Reader] (thesis available here)

MAJ Shane D. Nicklaus, USMC, "Scenario Authoring and Visualization for Advanced Graphical Environments (SAVAGE)," Systems Technology Management Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, September 2001. [Co-Advisor] (thesis available here)

LT Frank A. Scrivener III, USN, "Beginner's User Guide for the MAGTF Tactical Warfare Simulation," Systems Technology (Command, Control, and Communications) Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, June 2000. [Advisor] (thesis available here 4.0MB)