DR. ROBERT Q. FUGATE

Dr. Robert Q. Fugate, a member of the scientific and professional cadre of senior executives, is the Senior Scientist for Atmospheric Compensation at the Starfire Optical Range, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The range operates 1.5- and 3.5-meter telescopes, and a 1.0-meter beam director. He conducts a research program on atmospheric propagation physics, atmospheric compensation using laser guide star adaptive optics, and the acquisition, tracking and pointing of lasers to earth-orbiting satellites. The research program also includes the development of sensors, instrumentation and mount control of large-aperture, ground-based telescopes.

Dr. Fugate has worked for the U.S. Air Force since 1970 in the fields of atmospheric propagation, electro-optical sensors and detection, space surveillance and adaptive optics. He performed the first experiment demonstrating the feasibility of using laser beacons for adaptive optics. Under his leadership, the Starfire Optical Range has developed and currently operates the most advanced, highest-performance adaptive optics systems in existence. These systems received worldwide acclaim from the astronomy community. The SOR is widely recognized as the leader in atmospheric compensation for large ground-based telescopes. Fugate has received numerous national awards, and has written and delivered many invited articles and papers. He also has chaired and served on the organizing committees for numerous conferences.

Dr. Fugate's expertise has been recognized in many areas. In 1975, he was appointed by the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force to be the U.S. member on NATO's AGARD study group on detection and suppression of E-O Guidance Systems. In 1992, he was one of two researchers selected for top Air Force scientific and technical work with the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and in 1999, led the only Air Force research team to receive the board's highest rating for the fourth consecutive time. In 1997, Asteroid 6770 (1985 QR) was named in his honor.

EDUCATION
1965 Bachelor of Science degree in physics, high honors, Case Institute of Technology
1970 Doctor of Philosophy degree in experimental physics, NASA Fellow, Iowa State University

CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1970 - 1972, research physicist, Air Force Foreign Technology Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. 1972 - 1979, optics research physicist and group leader, Air Force Avionics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. 1979 - 1990, optics research physicist and Technical Director, Starfire Optical Range, Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
4. 1990 - 1995, optics research physicist and Technical Director, Starfire Optical Range, Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. 1995 - 1997, Senior Scientist for Atmospheric Compensation, Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
6. 1997 - present, Senior Scientist for Atmospheric Compensation, Starfire Optical Range, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AWARDS AND HONORS
1965 Tau Beta Pi
1965 Miller Prize in physics, best undergraduate thesis, Case Institute of Technology
1977 Scientific Achievement Award, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
1978 Outstanding Technical Achievement Award, Air Force Avionics Laboratory
1984 Best Technical Achievement by an Individual, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
1985 Giller Award for Technical Achievement, Air Force Weapons Laboratory
1985 Commander's Outstanding Technical Achievement Award
1988 Crozier Prize, American Defense Preparedness Association
1990 Aerospace Primus Award, Air Force Systems Command
1993 Co-recipient, Technology Achievement Award, The International Society for Optical Engineering
1993 Laurel Award, Aviation Week and Space Technology
1994 Archie Mahan Prize and Fellow, Optical Society of America
1996 Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award
1996 Fellow, Phillips Laboratory and Air Force Research Laboratory
1997 Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award
1998 George W. Goddard Award, Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
1999 The Harold Brown Award, U.S. Air Force
2000 Progress Medal Award, Photographic Society of America
2003 Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1996 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Citation, Iowa State University
1989 Nominee, Harold Brown Award, Air Force Systems Command

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Optical Society of America
Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Chairman, External Review Committee for the Keck Adaptive Optics Project
Chairman, Gemini 8mm Telescope Projects Systems Review Committee
Chairman, Fellows Selection Committee, Optical Society of America
Standing Review Board, Next Generation Space Telescope


(Current as of May 2004)