Dr. Michael Eismann is the Chief Scientist, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In this capacity, he serves as the directorate’s principal scientific and technical advisor, and is responsible for the technical direction, content and quality of a science and technology portfolio addressing critical Air Force and Department of Defense strategic objectives that is composed of core technical competencies in radio frequency and electro-optical/infrared sensing, spectrum warfare, layered sensing exploitation, and advanced electronics.
Dr. Eismann entered the scientific and professional cadre of senior executives in 2012 as the Air Force Senior Scientist for Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors, serving as the principal scientific authority for electro-optical and infrared sensor research for all Air Force customers. He is an internationally recognized authority on passive infrared imaging and hyperspectral remote sensing and continues to lead both basic and applied defense research in these areas. Additionally, Dr. Eismann serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology and active participant in multiple professional societies. He previously served as U.S. National Representative for NATO Sensors and Electronics Technology panel, a member of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers Board of Directors, and Editor-in-Chief of Optical Engineering.
Prior to joining the Air Force Research Laboratory in 1996, he was employed by the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, where he was involved in research concerning active and passive optical and infrared targeting and reconnaissance, optical information processing, and holographic optics.
EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Science, Physics, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Ky.
1987 Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga.
2005 Doctor of Philosophy, Electro-Optics, University of Dayton, Ohio
2007 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Certified Acquisition Professional, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. July 1987–July 1991, Research Engineer, Advanced Concepts Division, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
2. July 1991–March 1996, Research Engineer, Dayton Regional Office, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Dayton, Ohio
3. March 1996–November 1998, Senior Research Engineer (Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment), Electro-Optical Targeting Branch, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
4. November 1998–October 2007, Technical Advisor, Electro-Optical Threat and Target Detection Branch, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. May 2005–present, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. October 2007–November 2010, Technical Advisor, Electro-Optical Sensor Technology Division, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. November 2010–August 2012, Technical Advisor, Multispectral Sensing and Detection Division, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. August 2012–December 2014, Senior Scientist, Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. December 2014–May 2018, Chief Scientist, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. June 2018–September 2018, Acting Chief Technology Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. October 2018–present Chief Scientist, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
2023 IEEE Fellow
2020 Scientific Achievement Award, NATO
2018 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award
2018 Civilian Achievement Award
2018 Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award, Optical Society of America and Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
2012 Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2012 SPIE President’s Award
2010 SPIE Fellow
2010 Military Sensing Symposia Fellow
2008 Air Force Research Laboratory Fellow
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering – Systems Engineering, Level III
Program Management, Level I
(Current as of December 2024)