Sean P. Donegan, a member of the scientific and professional cadre of senior executives, is the Senior Scientist for Digital Advanced Materials, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He serves as the principal scientific authority and independent researcher in accelerating advanced materials development, integrating computational modeling, high-performance computing, and AI/ML to transition digital-centric materials solutions from materials discovery through deployment for the Department of the Air Force.
Dr. Donegan began his career with the Air Force in 2016 at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He is a world-renowned expert in the analysis of multi-dimensional materials data and process optimization in advanced manufacturing, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications and dozens of contributed conference proceedings and invited seminars.
Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Donegan served as the research team lead of the Digital Manufacturing Research Team, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he directed a multi-million dollar research portfolio focused on manufacturing information modeling, intelligent collaborative systems, and connected virtual environments.
EDUCATION
2010 Bachelor of Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2010 Bachelor of Science, Decision Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2011 Master of Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2013 Doctor of Philosophy, Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. September 2016–January 2021, Research Materials Engineer, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. January 2021–May 2025, Senior Research Materials Engineer, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. February 2022–May 2025, Research Team Lead, Digital Manufacturing Research Team, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. May 2025–present, Senior Scientist for Digital Advanced Materials, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
Air Force Research Lab Early Career Award
AFRL/RX Charles J. Cleary Scientific Award
AFRL/RX Robert T. Schwartz Engineering Achievement Award
National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Fellow
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Member, Editorial Board, Integrating Materials & Manufacturing Innovation
(Current as of July 2025)