ONR Program Officer Honored as AAAS Fellow for ‘Visionary Leadership’

Dr. Tom McKenna has been recognized as a 2023 Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his extensive contributions to AI and computational neuroscience at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). This honor, given by one of the world’s largest scientific societies and publishers of the Science journals, is a significant lifetime achievement in the scientific community.

McKenna, who serves as a program officer in ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department, will be honored alongside other 2023 fellows on September 21 in Washington, D.C., during a ceremony marking AAAS’ 150th anniversary. AAAS CEO Dr. Sudip S. Parikh highlighted the class’s role in advancing scientific excellence and fostering trust in science within their communities.

Dr. Patrick Mason, head of the Warfighter Performance Department, praised McKenna’s long-standing commitment to innovative research in computational neuroscience and AI. Mason emphasized the impact of McKenna’s work on enhancing naval capabilities.

McKenna manages several research areas within ONR, including Bio-Inspired Autonomous Systems, Cognitive Science for Human-Machine Teaming, and Computational Neuroscience. These programs aim to improve underwater vehicle performance, develop intelligent human-machine teams, and create brain-inspired models for autonomous systems.

Additionally, McKenna coordinates the Science of Artificial Intelligence program, which seeks to develop versatile intelligent agents capable of performing various naval tasks. This initiative focuses on creating AI that can operate with high-level instructions and collaborate seamlessly with humans and other agents.

Since joining ONR in 1988, McKenna has sponsored numerous notable scientists and groundbreaking technologies. His efforts have contributed to advancements in computational neuroscience and the development of bio-inspired underwater vehicles and humanoid robots for naval applications.

Expressing his gratitude, McKenna stated, “Being named an AAAS Fellow is a tremendous honor. I’m humbled they would single me out since my role is supporting and centrally managing the work of ONR’s principal investigators.” He also remarked on the privilege of supporting top-tier researchers and influencing the direction of scientific research globally.

This achievement underscores McKenna’s pivotal role in advancing AI and computational neuroscience, benefiting the naval research community and beyond.