Event Details

Funding for Unmanned Systems Research and Related Technologies in Agriculture at the USDA-NIFA

Dr. Steven J. Thomson is National Program Leader (NPL) with the USDA National Institute Food and Agriculture (NIFA). He engages Universities, other federal agencies, and industry to provide national leadership in Capacity and Competitive Grant programs. The Research, Education, and Outreach programs he leads focus on engineering processes to improve systems relevant to agriculture. These include Engineering for Agricultural Production Systems and NSF-collaborative programs such as the National Robotics Initiative, Cyber-Physical Systems, and AI Institutes. Dr. Thomson received his Ph. D from the University of Florida in the Ag. And Bio. Engineering Dept. and has background in aerial application of crop protection materials, irrigation management, water balance and crop modeling, decision support systems for agricultural management, sensing systems and electronics, precision agriculture, applied statistics, and agricultural safety. Dr. Thomson was incoming Associate Professor at Virginia Tech in the College of Engineering and had received the Alpha Epsilon Award for his Research/Extension program and Outstanding Faculty Award in the Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) Department. He was a Lead Scientist with the USDA ARS before joining USDA-NIFA in early 2016. He has authored or co-authored over 100 publications, two book chapters, and several Extension publications and software. View Steven’s professional webpage.

Drones Use in United States of America and Market Dynamics

Dr. Qassim Abdullah is a highly accomplished scientist boasting over 45 years of expertise in analytical photogrammetry, digital remote sensing, and civil and surveying engineering across industrial, research and development (R&D), and academic realms. With a doctorate and master’s degrees in photogrammetry from the University of Washington, he currently serves as Vice President and Chief Scientist at Woolpert Inc., spearheading the design and management of strategic programs for the development and implementation of new remote sensing technologies tailored to the evolving needs of geospatial users. Additionally, Dr. Abdullah holds adjunct professor roles at the University of Maryland and Penn State, where he instructs graduate courses on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), photogrammetry, and remote sensing. Notable achievements include his pioneering introduction of Geiger-mode and single photon lidar to the geospatial industry, his leadership in Woolpert’s research endeavors encompassing intelligent transportation systems, digital twin technologies, smart cities, and UAS sensor calibration, as well as his pivotal role as the creator and principal author of the ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data. Recognized as a Fellow with ASPRS and the recipient of numerous awards, including the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Abdullah continues to make significant contributions to the field, evident in his editorial column for the ASPRS journal, participation in esteemed panels and committees such as the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel and the Transportation Research Board, and his extensive certifications as a photogrammetrist, licensed professional surveyor and mapper, thermographer, and Certified GEOINT Professional in Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis. View Qassim’s professional webpage.

Progress in UAS and Aviation in Central New York: An Enhancement to Airspace Integration

Ken Stewart has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of NUAIR since Dec 2020. Prior to joining NUAIR, Stewart held several leadership positions at General Electric including CEO of AiRXOS, a GE aviation company, where he led innovation, development, and commercialization of Unmanned Traffic Management services, and Managing Director at GE Ventures overseeing the new business creation function for GE. Prior to that Mr. Stewart served in executive roles with several venture capital and private equity-backed companies commercializing and scaling pre-revenue start-ups and transforming organizations for growth. Mr. Stewart also serves on the board of New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) as well as the Commercial Drone Alliance, (CDA) organizations that work with federal policymakers and industry stakeholders to help create relevant rules to scale commercial UAS and Advanced Air Mobility operations. View Ken’s professional webpage.