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Ann Jones |
Shepherding New Technologies
Ann Jones
June 2006
If you look forward to the promise of new technology, you've got
to envy Ann Jones. She's the director of MITRE's Emerging Technologies
Office (ETO), which is part of the Center for Innovative Computing
and Informatics. The ETO supports new work areas that are not traditional
disciplines at MITRE.
Currently, Jones manages five areas: robotics, neuroscience, biotechnology,
nanosystems, and photonics. (See sidebar, "The Emerging Technologies
Office," below.) Each has different challenges accompanied by the
promise of exciting new breakthroughs.
For example, MITRE's work in robotics was used in the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge race held last
year. DARPA offered a $2 million prize for creating an unmanned
vehicle that could successfully drive itself over 140 miles of desert
terrain. The technology developed by contest entrants will be used
to help save lives by eliminating the need for drivers of, for instance,
supply trucks and reconnaissance vehicles in war-torn areas.
MITRE's Grand Challenge entry, a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
dubbed Meteor, helped Jones and her team bring home some valuable
lessons. "We're applying those lessons to a new robot project for
neutralizing roadside explosives in places like Iraq," says Jones.
The follow-on project, called robot pairs, uses the driverless
Meteor to drop off a small, rugged PackBot robot (made by iRobot),
to deactivate roadside bombs. Because the two vehicles operate on
their own, operators are kept out of harm's way.
Jones considers herself an enabler of the technologies supported
by the ETO. "Each of the technology areas has an excellent thrust
lead who is on top of his or her field," says Jones. "I provide
support for the researchers when they encounter a problem, support
work program development, and help shape research thrusts."
A Career Built Step by Step
Jones has a bachelor's in math and a master's degree in education
from the University of New Hampshire. When she came here 26 years
ago, Jones had been teaching math in junior and senior high school
and wanted a new challenge. She started in MITRE's sensor division
doing mathematical analysis and software development.
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| Ann
Jones and part of her DARPA Grand Challenge team (from left),
Richard Weatherly, Bob Grabowski, Ann, and Bob Bolling. |
"Then I got involved with the acquisition program for a large phased-array
antenna," recalls Jones. "That led to an interest in systems engineering
for large projects. The first was the Cheyenne Mountain command
and control system that supported the United State's air defense
mission against the Soviet manned bomber threat."
She then became the head of radar software for the Joint Surveillance
Target Attack Radar System and also worked on the Airborne Warning
and Control System. That was followed by a stint on the Berlin Radar
Program and the Advanced Battle System and Information System. Next,
Jones worked on the military's Joint Vision 2010, which led to her
initial involvement with DARPA.
That created a natural segue to her current job as director of
the ETO. Her experience with DARPA comes in handy when one of the
ETO groups is looking for a partner on a particular project.
"Between the ETO and DARPA I am working with fabulous leaders and
researchers," says Jones. "My job gives me the opportunity to continually
learn new things, especially working with such creative and energetic
people."
In addition to managing the ETO's current technologies, Jones is
currently evaluating an emerging field—computational materials
science, which has applications in nanoscale materials. In her rare
spare moments, her hobbies are as wide ranging as the ETO technologies,
and include gardening, boating, and bridge.
MITRE's Emerging Technologies Office: An Overview
Robotics. Robots that perceive, reason,
and take action are important for many military and civilian
uses. This team studies uses of robots in pairs and swarms,
as well as how unmanned vehicles can avoid collisions with
buildings, trees, towers, and piloted planes.
Biotechnology. Biotechnology promises novel
capabilities to solve traditional problems in unique ways.
The biotech team applies the principles of engineering and
information technology to the life sciences to improve human
health and performance and respond to biological and chemical
threats.
Neuroscienece. Neuroscience is the study
of the biological basis of cognition and behavior. This team
is applying neuroscience research methods to image understanding,
learning and memory, information processing, human-computer
interaction, and deception detection.
Nanotechnology. This team solves critical
problems by using molecular-scale materials and devices in
imaginative new ways. Projects have included a millimeter-scale
robot, simulation of molecular computer circuits, and development
of carbon nanotube circuits and materials.
Photonics. The field of photonics is based
on the use of photons to carry information on light beams—usually
light from lasers. This team is focusing on advanced imaging
systems by reducing the size, weight, and power consumption
of traditional cameras.
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—by David A. Van Cleave
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