Featured Presenters

Presenting "Tactical Autonomy," Session 1, RH 316

Dr. Victoria Coleman is CEO of Acubed, Airbus’ Silicon Valley-based research and innovation center, and also serves as Airbus’ Head of Research & Technology for North America. Previously, she served as Chief Scientist of the United States Air Force, where she was the preeminent scientific advisor to top leadership, including the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff and Chief of Space Operations. Her responsibilities included assessing a wide range of scientific and technical issues crucial to the department's mission, and identifying and analyzing technical challenges to provide innovative solutions. Dr. Coleman was the 22nd Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and has held leadership positions at companies including Samsung, Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, Yahoo, and the Wikimedia Foundation.

Presenting "Applications of AI for Biosecurity," Session 1, RH 110

Dr. Eric Bortz has more than ten years’ experience leading a research group at UAA in molecular biology with a focus on emerging pathogens that impact human and animal health in Alaska and the world. Collaborating with a wide variety of public and private partners, his team has pushed the envelope of off-the-shelf AI for genomic data science using language model-based coding, Bayesian phylogenetic tree construction, and tools for rapid raw sequence assembly – in an effort to detect signals of the deep evolution driving the emergence of viruses, and design sequence-based diagnostics.

Presenting "AI at the Bedside Saving Lives," Session 1, RH 117

Dr. J Randall Moorman, a clinical cardiologist, is Bicentennial Professor of Advanced Medical Analytics Medicine at the University of Virginia. In 2014, he was named UVa Innovator of the Year and in 2017, he became the inaugural director of the UVa Center for Advanced Medical Analytics Engineering, which intends to lead the field in how data advance healthcare. In 2018, his research on predictive monitoring for early diagnosis of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in premature babies was named one of the top 12 research discoveries in the past 50 years at the University of Virginia. The resulting Heart Rate Observation System (HeRO) is used in hospitals across the country. In 2023, Dr. Moorman became a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. 

Presenting "Aurora, the AI Robotic Dog," Session 1, RH 101

Samantha Spencer is a Planner in the division of Statewide Aviation for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Samantha manages the Alaska Air Certificate of Compliance program, oversees the operations of Aurora, the Boston Dynamics Robotic Quadruped, and serves as the wildlife permitter for Part 139 airports. She is also involved in various other operations within the Statewide Aviation programs.

Presenting "Aurora, the AI Robotic Dog," Session 1, RH 101

Ryan is the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. He works closely with federal, state, tribal and municipal agencies on the safe integration and advancement of UAS and remote sensing technologies throughout Alaska. Ryan began working with unmanned platforms over a decade ago, pioneering standards, software integration, weather proof platforms and sensors for commercial and public applications. He is a Certified Mapping Scientist for UAS with experience in unmanned photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS, Search and Rescue, critical infrastructure inspections and aerial cinematography. He has worked with many Emmy award winning productions with National Geographic, Discovery Channel and BBC.

Presenting "Aurora, the AI Robotic Dog," Session 1, RH 101

Becca Douglas is a dedicated Aviation Transportation Planning Chief in the division of Statewide Aviation for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. She manages the Alaska Aviation System Plan (AASP), the largest aviation system plan in North America, having taken over during its second phase in 2014 and currently overseeing Phase 3. She prioritizes addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions that align with the needs, missions, and objectives of the department. Under her leadership, the AASP program has grown significantly, integrating her peers' programs to develop new tools like a NOTAM query, project prioritization process, and a grant database dating back to 1982, ensuring the AASP is truly comprehensive.

Presenting "AI and Digital Twins in Alaska," Session 2, RH 101

Clay Koplin is the CEO of Cordova Electric Cooperative, Inc., a remote, islanded microgrid system in Southcentral Alaska. He is a professional electrical engineer, and has worked with a small, dynamic team to develop an advanced micro-grid system featuring 100% underground distribution lines, fully automated diesel and hydroelectric power plants with automated load management, 100% LED community lighting, and a state-of-the art Battery Energy Storage System. Clay has a passion for renewable energy projects and expertise in underground and submarine power and hydroelectric power production.  He is Vice Chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity’s Advisory Committee and was the former Mayor of Cordova.

Presenting "Why AI Must Continue to Evolve," Session 2, RH 117

Dr. Heidari is an assistant professor in UAA’s Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Prior to joining UAA in 2022, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University, Laboratory for Computational Audio Perception. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, and Computational Neuroscience. She received her MS and PhD degrees from the University of Memphis in Computer Engineering, in 2016 and 2019, respectively. During her PhD and Postdoctoral fellowship, she had the opportunity to work on interdisciplinary projects funded by NSF and NIH.

Presenting "Virtual Reality Employee Training at Walmart," Session 2, RH 316

Andy Trainor is the CEO of SkillsVR North America. He is a multi-faceted Learning & Development Executive who combines logistics/supply chain expertise, retail global operations, and an engineering background with business transformation and innovative leadership. Mr. Trainor previously served as Vice President and Chief Learning officer at Walmart, where he led U.S. learning organization, including strategy, innovation, content development, delivery, and talent development functions, for the training and development of 1.5 million field associates within the Store and Supply Chain units. There he expanded the use of virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, conversational learning, holograms, and digital badging.