Steve Lindsley, MSc. ME serves as Interim Director of COSMIAC and brings experience across space systems, controls, dynamics, machine learning, computer vision, additive manufacturing, swarm robotics, and aerospace prototyping. His work at COSMIAC has included applied research, student mentorship, and development of advanced aerospace and robotics capabilities.
Daniel Joseph Garcia, MSc. EE serves as a Senior Research Engineer at COSMIAC, where he leads and supports research in spacecraft systems, optical communications, controls, modeling and simulation, and cyber-resilient space technologies. His work includes optical intersatellite link development, satellite mission design, FPGA/SoC-based payload prototyping, radiation-aware system assessment, and advanced control methods for spacecraft operations. He also is an El Centro at UNM Alumni and champions research opportunities for minorities in STEM.
Chad Rathbun, MSc. ME serves as a senior Research Engineer at COSMIAC where he supports research in areas such as deployable structures, solar arrays, antennas, thermal testing equipment, micro-welding, space debris mitigation support, SSPIDR antenna structures, advanced thermal testing, payload development support, mechanical systems integration, and test engineering for space and defense systems.
Dr. Jim Aarestad serves as Reserach Professor at COSMIAC. His research interests include robust and secure embedded system design methods for aerospace and terrestrial applications, FPGA-based embedded systems, hardware security, satellite navigation receiver design, and educational materials for reconfigurable systems.
Professor Christos Christodoulou is the founder of COSMIAC and serves as Director of RF and Antenna Systems. His faculty leadership emphasizes electromagnetic systems, antenna systems, RF technologies, FPGA reconfigurable systems, and smart RF/photonics. His work has helped establish COSMIAC as a bridge among university research, government mission needs, and industry collaboration, and he is an IEEE Fellow.
Professor Edl Schamiloglu is a physicist, electrical engineer, pulsed power expert, inventor, and distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of New Mexico. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and the American Physical Society and founded the Directed Energy Center at UNM.
Leilani Baker supports SSPIDR mechanical demonstration design, systems engineering, high-temperature vacuum sintering of 3D printed ceramics and semiconductors, and solar tracker development.
Zack Daniels received his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UNM and supports work in memory upset mapping, blockchain-backed systems engineering tools, embedded systems, control systems, and robotics.
Micco Estrada supports software engineering, spacecraft simulation development, and applied space cybersecurity research, including prior work with AFRL space cyber resiliency efforts.
Luis Hernandez has supported AFRL Spacecraft Charging and Instrument Calibration Laboratory work, material science research, and Advanced GPS Technologies mechanical design efforts.
Hailey Holder has supported AFRL SSPIDR efforts, commercial spacecraft systems and communications engineering, and currently leads and manages a contract focused on hypersonics.
Erik Johnson provides IT support at COSMIAC and works with leadership to keep COSMIAC networks operational and secure for staff, faculty, and students.
Matthew Macias supports the COSMIAC RAPID team, with work focused on space cybersecurity, networking in space systems, cloud environments, software engineering, and simulation engineering.
Collin Nesbit supports active research at AFRL and brings experience in propulsion, structures, small spacecraft design, manufacturing, sounding rocket development, and aerospace mechanical systems.
Fernando Miguel Parra supports satellite simulation, ground system software, automated testing, DTRA web application development, and drone integration for autonomous security systems.
Dr. John Plumley supports modeling, testing, and validation of novel batteries for AFRL, solid oxide fuel cell systems, passive radiative cooling, electrochemical mirror devices, and resistive switching devices.
Brandyn Solano supports PCB design, manufacturing, radiation effects testing, and SSPIDR space beaming efforts while continuing graduate study in computer engineering.
Jamerson Tenorio is a research engineer and systems specialist with experience in embedded systems, secure communications, high-reliability computing, modernization efforts, and mission-critical technical operations.
Gabriel Urbaitis supports data-driven models for GNSS spoofing detection, GPS jamming classification, SD-WAN telemetry analysis, machine learning, signal processing, and resilient communications research.
Professor Christos Christodoulou served as a past Director of COSMIAC and is the founder of the center. He remains a foundational faculty contributor to COSMIAC research in RF systems, antenna systems, electromagnetic systems, FPGA reconfigurable systems, and smart RF/photonics.
Craig J. Kief served as a past Director of COSMIAC. His contributions included proposal strategy, contracting activities, satellite communications efforts, partner engagement, and long-term innovation vision. He is a retired, disabled U.S. Air Force veteran who served for 20 years working in satellite communications.
Brian Zufelt served as a past Director of COSMIAC.
Steven C. Suddarth served as a past Director of COSMIAC.
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