Thor Martinsen
Captain, United States Navy
Associate Professor
Dean of Students
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA 93943
Phone: 831-656-2581
Email: thor@nps.edu
Web: https://tmartins1.wixsite.com/thor
EDUCATION:
PhD Naval Postgraduate School, Applied Mathematics, 2017
MS Naval Postgraduate School, Applied Mathematics, 2007
MS Naval Postgraduate School, Computer Science, 2007
PgCert Naval Postgraduate School, Mathematics of Secure Communications, 2006
BA Skidmore College, Pure and Applied Mathematics, 2007
BS Thomas Edison State College, Electrical Engineering Technology, 1996
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EXECUTIVE EDUCATION & TRAINING:
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US Navy Leadership and Ethics Command, Major Commanders Course
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NPS Center for Executive Education, Navy Senior Leadership Seminar
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US Navy Leadership and Ethics Command, Commanding Officer's Course
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US Navy Leadership and Ethics Command, Executive Officer's Course
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US Navy Military Justice Senior Officer's Course
NPS EXPERIENCE:
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2023 - Pres. Dean of Students, Naval Postgradaute School
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2020 - 2023. Associate Chair for Student Program & Academic Associate, Department of Applied Mahematics
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2020 Associate Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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2020 - Pres. NPS Faculty Council Nominating Committee
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2020 Member, NPS Provost Search Committee
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2020 Member, GSEAS Dean Search Committee
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2020 - Pres. NPS Academic Command Assessment Board
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2019 - 2023 NPS Faculty Council Execulive Board
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2018 - 2019 Associate Chair for Research, Department of Applied Mathematics
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2024 - Pres. Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics
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2017 - 2024. Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics
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2017 - 2020 Assistant Professor, Cyber Academic Group
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2017 - Pres. Member, Center for Cyber Warfare
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2017 - 2019 NPS Faculty Council Research Board Representative
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2018 - Pres. 2020 NPS WASC Accreditation Steering Committee
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2017 President, NPS Honor Code Board
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2012 - 2017 Lecturer, Electrical & Computer Engineering and Applied Mathematics
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2015 - 2017 Applied Math PhD student
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2012 - 2014 Program Officer, Electrical & Computer Engineering (590) and Applied Math (380) programs
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2005 - 2007 Applied Math and Computer Science master’s degree student
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MILITARY EXPERIENCE:
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2023 - Pres. Commanding Officer, NPS Military Student Element
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2014 - Pres. United States Navy Permanent Military Professor
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2012 - 2014 NPS Program Officer, Electrical & Computer Eng. and Applied Math
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2010 - 2012 Commanding Officer, Information Warfare Training Command Monterey (IWTCM)
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2008 - 2009 Deputy Information Warfare Commander, PELELIU Expeditionary Strike Group (PELESG)
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2007 - 2009 Cryptologic Resource Coordinator, Amphibious Squadron THREE
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2003 - 2005 Electronic Warfare Officer and Ship’s Cryptologist, USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3)
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2000 - 2003 Senior Watch Officer & Navy Department Head NSA/CSS Hawaii / NSGA Kunia
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HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:
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2023 - Pres.
Dean of Students, Naval Postgradaute School.
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2020
Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science at NPS.
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2020 - 2023
Associate Chairman for Student Programs, NPS Applied Math department.
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2019
Assistant Inspector General and education Subject Matter Expert in support of the Navy Inspector General's
2019 Command Inspection of the United States Naval Academy.
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2018 - 2019
Associate Chairman​ for Research, NPS Applied Math Department.
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2012 - 2014
Program Officer for the United States Navy’s Applied Mathematics and Electrical and
Computer Engineering programs at the Naval Postgraduate School. Led and mentored 100 Applied Math
and Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate students.
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2010 - 2012
Commanding Officer and US Navy designated School Administrator for Information Warfare
Training Command Monterey. This command is responsible for all language training in the
United States Navy. It consists of approximately 750 students, faculty, and staff. Located on the
Presidio of Monterey, it is a component command of the Defense Language Institute/Foreign
Language Center, a degree granting institution of higher learning​
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TEACHING INTERESTS:
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Combinatorics
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Cryptography
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Coding & Information Theory
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Logic and Discrete Mathematics
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Cyber & Electronic Warfare
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RESEARCH INTERESTS:
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Cryptography & Coding Theory
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Cyber & Electronic Warfare
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Decision Superiority / Machine Learning
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Combinatorics
AWARDS:
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Teaching
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Naval Postgraduate School Joint Service Warfare Faculty Award, 2020, 2013
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Research
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Fulbright US Scholar, Academic Year 2021-2022
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Elected Fellow, The Institute of Combinatorics and Its Applications
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General Omar N. Bradley Research Fellowship in Mathematics, 2021, 2017
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Elected Fellow, Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications
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Best Paper Award, 7th International Workshop on Arithmetic of Finite Fields, WAIFI 2018
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Elected member Sigma Xi International scientific research honor society
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Nominated for IEEE Information Theory Society Thomas M. Cover Dissertation Award
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Academic
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Elected member Pi Mu Epsilon national mathematics honor society
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Elected member At Large Upsilon Pi Epsilon national computer science honor society
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Elected member Eta Kappa Nu national electrical and computer engineering honor society
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Elected member Alpha Chi national academic honor society
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United States Air Force Bootstrap program
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Air Force Association Pitsenbarger Award (Eagle Grant)
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- Leadership
- Naval Postgraduate School Captain David S. Bill, Jr., Leadership Award, 2020
- Military
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2)
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal (2)
- Combat Action Ribbon
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BOARDS/MEMBERSHIPS:
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NPS Faculty Council Executive Board
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NPS Faculty Council
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Cyber Academic Group Executive Committee
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NPS Academic Command Assessment Board
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NPS WASC Accreditation Steering Committee
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Navy Community College Curriculum Development Working Group
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Fellow, Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications (2020)
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Senior Member IEEE (2013)
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Member of IEEE Information Theory Society
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Fellow, Institute for Combinatorics and Its Applications
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Member of American Mathematical Society
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Member of International Association for Cryptologic Research
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Member of Navy Cryptologic Veterans Associations
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Member of Naval Order of the United States
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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
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E. Kozak, P. Smith, W. Kang, T. Matinsen, "Deep Learning for Remote Monitoring of Power Systems," The 18th IEEE International Conference on Control and Automation, June 2024.
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T. Martinsen, W. Kang, E. Kozak, P. Smith, "Robustness and Vulnerability Measurement of Deep Learning Methods for Cyber Defense, Defense Technical Information Center, December 2022.
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V. Kanth, T. Martinsen, P. Stanica, "The Self-Shrinking Conflation Generator: A Proposed Improvement to the Self-Shrinking Generator," European Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 15(4), pp. 1426-1443, October 2022.
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T. Martinsen, "Developing Critical Thinking Military Officers," Mathematica Militaris, Vol 25 Issue 1, Aricle 2, April 2022.
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S. Maitra, B. Mandal, T. Martinsen, D. Roy, P. Stanica, "Analysis on Boolean function in a restricted (biased) domain," IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 66:2 (2020), 1219- 1231.
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S. Maitra, B. Mandal, T. Martinsen, D. Roy, P. Stanica, "Tools in analyzing linear approximation for Boolean functions related to FLIP," 19th International Conference on Cryptology in India, INDOCRYPT 2018.
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T. Martinsen, W. Meidl, A. Pott, P. Stanica, "On symmetry and differential properties of generalized Boolean functions," Proc. WAIFI: Arithmetic of Finite Fields, 2018.
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T. Martinsen, W. Meidl, S. Mesnager, and P. Stanica, “Decomposing generalized bent and hyperbent functions,” in IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. 63, no. 12, pp. 7804–7812, 2017.
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T. Martinsen, “Correlation Immunity, Avalanche Features, and Other Cryptographic Properties of Generalized Boolean Functions,” PhD Dissertation, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 2017.
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E.J. Ionascu, T. Martinsen, and P. Stanica, “Bisecting binomial coefficients,” Discrete Appl. Math. , vol. 227, pp. 70–83, 2017.
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T. Martinsen, W. Meidl, and P. Stanica, “Partial spread and vectorial generalized bent functions, “Des. Codes Cryptogr. Vol. 85, pp. 1–13, 2017.
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T. Martinsen, W. Meidl, and P. Stanica, “Generalized bent functions and their Gray images,” in Arithmetic of Finite Fields, 6th Int. Workshop, WAIFAI 2016, ser. LNCS, vol. 10064, Berlin, Springer, pp. 160–173, 2016
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T. Martinsen, P. Pace, and E.L Fisher, “Maneuver Warfare in the Electromagnetic Battlespace, “ Journal of Electronic Defense, 10, vol. 37, no. 10, pp.30–44, 2014.
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P. Stanica, T. Martinsen, S. Gangopadhyay, B.K. Singh, “Bent and generalized bent Boolean functions,” Des. Codes Cryptogr., vol. 69, pp. 77–94, 2013.
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T. Martinsen, Refinement composition using doubly labeled transition graphs, Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 2007.
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JOURNAL REVIEWER:
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Discrete Applied Mathematics, Elsevier
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CONFERENCE REVIEWER:
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39th International Conference on the Theory and Applications of Cryptography (Eurocrypt 2020)
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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:
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Workshop on Current and Future Projects of the University of Bergen's Selmer Center, 22-27 November 2021, Granada Spain
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Open Problems and Current Research Focus
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2021 Joint Mathematics Meeting, AMS Special Session on Mathematics in Security & Defense, 5-9 January 2021
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The Self-Shrinking Conflation Generator: A New Pseudorandom Bit Generator
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2019 Professional Military Education (PME) and the Cyber Domain Workshop, Cyber & Innovation Policy Institute, Naval War College, Newport, RI, 17-18 January 2019
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Panel member, PME Institutions and Educating the Cyberspace Warfighter
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Correlation Immune and Resilient Generalized Boolean Functions, 3rd International Workshop on Boolean Functions and Their Applications, Loen Norway, June 2018
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Maneuver Warfare in the Electromagnetic Battlespace, AOC Electronic Warfare Europe Conference, Edinburgh Scotland, May 2014.
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INVITED TALKS:
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AI, Modeling & Simulation, Keynote address, 52nd NATO Modeling and Simulation Business Meeting and Symposium, Monterey CA, 18 October 2023.
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Correlation Immunity and Machine Learning, Selmer Center for Secure Communications, University of Bergen, 20 June 2022.
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21st Century Information Operations and Joint All-domain Command and Control, Norwegian Security Authority, Horten, Norway, 11 June 2022.
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21st Century Information Operations and Joint All-domain Command and Control, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Bergen Norway, 25 May 2022.
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A brief introduction to correlation immune generalized Boolean functions, United States Naval Academy, 27 September, 2019
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Maneuver Warfare in Cyberspace and the Electromagnetic Battlespace, Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee, 26 March 2018
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Maneuver Warfare in Cyberspace and the Electromagnetic Battlespace, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata India, 21 March 2018
COURSES TAUGHT:
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MA1025 - Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
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MA1112 - Single Variable Calculus I
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MA1113 - Single Variable Calculus I
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MA1114 - Single Variable Calculus II
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MA1115 - Multivariable Calculus
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MA1116 - Vector Calculus
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MA2025 - Logic and Discrete Mathematics I
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MA3025 - Logic and Discrete Mathematics II
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MA2043 - Introduction to Matrix and Linear Algebra
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MA3042 - Linear Algebra
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MA3393 - Topics in Applied Mathematics
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MA3560 - Applied Modern Algebra and Number Theory
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MA4026 - Combinatorial Mathematics
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MA4393 - Topics in Applied Mathematics
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MA4570 - Cryptography
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CY3200 - Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals
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CY3800 - Topics in Signals Operations
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CS4615 - Formal Analysis of Cryptographic Protocols
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DA4500 - Special Topics in Strategic Analysis
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EC3000 - Introduction to Graduate Research
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EC3760 - Information Operations Systems
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EC4900 - Topics for Individual Study in Electrical Engineering
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COURSE COORDINATOR:
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MA4026 - Combinatorial Mathematics
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MA3025 - Logic and Discrete Mathematics II
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STUDENTS ADVISED:
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Doctoral students:
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David Justamante, LCDR, USN, PhD Computer Science, Expected 2025 (Qualifying & Dissertation Committee)
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Paolo Singh, CDR, USN, PhD Applied Mathematics, Expected 2024 (Qualifying and Dissertation Committee)
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Bryan Martin, LCDR, USN, PhD Electrical Engineering, September 2024 (Dissertation committee member)
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Vikram Kanth, LT, USN, PhD Electrical Engineering, June 2022, (Qualifying & dissertation committee member)
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Tristan Li, DSc Cybersecurity, Marymount University, 2022 (Dissertation committee external member)
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Aaron Geary, CDR, USN, PhD Applied Mathematics, June 2022, (Qualifying & dissertation committee member)
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Michael Cribbs, LCDR, USN, PhD Electrical Engineering, June 2021, (Qualifying & dissertation committee member)
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Ashley McAbee, LCDR, USN, PhD Electrical Engineering, September 2020, (Qualifying & dissertation committee member)
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PhD Degree Defense Opponent:
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Anton Tkachenko, PhD in Computer Science, February 2023, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
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Master's degree students:
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Rachel Kenagy, CPT, USA, Applied Mathematics & Applied Physics, June 2024 (Co-Advised)
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Scott Adams, LCDR, USN, Applied Mathematics, June 2024 (2nd Reader)
Winner: 2024 William Randolph Church award for Excellence in Mathematics
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Nathan Fisher, CPT, USA, Applied Mathematics, June 2024 (2nd Reader)
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Elana Kozak, ENS, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2022 (Co-Advisor)
Awarded Outstanding thesis.
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Philip Smith, ENS, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2022 (Co-Advisor)
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Devon Zillmer, CPT, USA, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2021 (2nd reader)
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Zachary Klein, ENS, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2020, (Co-advisor)
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Matthew Dods, ENS, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2020, (Co-advisor)
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Andrew Cammack, MAJ, USA, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2020, (2nd Reader)
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Alexander Gutzler, LT, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, March 2020, (Advisor)
Winner: 2020 William Randolph Church award for Excellence in Mathematics,
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Ryan Hard, LT, USN, MS Applied Mathematics, March 2020, (Advisor)
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Nickos Leondaridis-Mena, LT, USN, MS Applied Mathematics and MS Operations Research, September 2019, (Co-advisor)
Winner: Navy League Award for Highest Academic Achievement at NPS
MORS-Tisdale finalists. Awarded Outstanding thesis
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Oliver Dinallo, 2nd Lt, USA, MS Applied Mathematics, June 2017, (2nd Reader)
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Nicholas Sharpe, LT, USCG, MS Applied Mathematics, December 2016, (2nd Reader)
Winner: 2017 William Randolph Church award for Excellence in Mathematics,
Winner: United States Navy League Award for Highest Academic Achievement at NPS.
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Thomas Kuhn, 2nd Lt, USA, MS Applied Mathematics, September 2016, (2nd Reader)
Winner: General Joseph W. Stilwell Award for Outstanding US Army NPS Student.
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Bijesh Shrestha, 2nd Lt, USA, MS Applied Mathematics, September 2016, (Co-advisor)
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Master's Degree Thesis External Examiner:
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Sindre Tornes Steinsvik, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, 16 June 2022.
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KEYWORDS/TECHNOLOGIES:
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Keywords: cryptography, coding theory, combinatorics, computer security, cyber warfare, cybersecurity, information warfare, electronic warfare
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