On January 23, 2025, the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) hosted its latest Virtual Opportunity Day, focusing on Autonomy. This event, presented by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio, provided a platform for government, academic, and industry innovators to explore advancements in autonomy, engage with thought leaders, and discover research and development (R&D) funding opportunities.
View the entire event here:
Key Highlights
The event featured a lineup of experts who shared their insights into cutting-edge autonomy research and applications. The agenda included:
OFRN/OnRamp Hub: Ohio Overview (click to download) – Maj Gen (Ret.) Mark Bartman, VP for Advanced Development, Parallax Advanced Research, provided an overview of OFRN’s mission and opportunities.
Caption: Maj Gen (Ret.) Mark Bartman
Sensing Autonomy (click to download) – Daniel Hutson, Research Computer scientist, AFRL/FYAA, discussed explored how artificial intelligence is driving innovations in sensing and enhancing autonomous systems.
Caption: Daniel Hutson
Next-Gen AI (click to download) – Dr. Kevin Schmidt, senior neuroscientist, AFRL/ACT3, discussed artificial intelligence advancements and their role in sensing autonomy.
Caption: Dr. Kevin Schmidt
Cognitive Networking Overview (click to download) – Dr. Rachel Dudukovich, lead engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center, provided insights into high-rate delay-tolerant networking and its impact on autonomous systems.
Caption: Dr. Rachel Dudukovich
Autonomy Portfolio (click to download) – Ms. Alyssa Robertson, Midwest Regional director, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), highlighted key areas in the Defense Innovation Unit’s autonomy portfolio.
Caption: Ms. Alyssa Robertson
National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) (click to download) – Mr. Ted Angel, director of Projects and Business Development, Dayton Development Coalition, spoke on the capabilities NAAMCE offers to the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) community.
Caption: Mr. Ted Angel
Opportunity Review (click to download) – Morgan Buck, Parallax Advanced Research intern supporting OFRN, outlined potential funding and collaboration opportunities.
Engagement & Audience Feedback
The event successfully brought together a diverse group of participants from academia, industry, and government, reinforcing OFRN’s role in fostering innovation and economic growth in Ohio’s R&D sector. Attendees also provided valuable feedback through a post-event survey, with many highlighting the high-quality speaker lineup and the relevance of the topics discussed.
Looking Ahead
The success of this Virtual Opportunity Day underscores the importance of continued collaboration in the field of autonomy. OFRN and its collaborators remain committed to driving innovation, supporting research, and creating pathways for technology commercialization. Stay tuned for future OFRN Opportunity Days, where new topics and research discussions will continue to shape the future of R&D in Ohio and beyond.
###
About Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN)
The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) has the mission to stimulate Ohio’s innovation economy by building statewide university-industry research collaborations that meet the requirements of Ohio’s federal laboratories, resulting in the creation of technologies that drive job growth for the State of Ohio. The OFRN is a program managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. OAI plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information on both organizations can be found at Parallax and OAI websites.
