Keynote Speaker & Plenary Speakers

Dr. David E. Lambert is a distinguished senior executive and Chief Scientist of the Munitions Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. As the principal scientific and technical advisor to the Director, he provides strategic guidance and oversight for the directorate’s science and technology portfolio, driving innovation and advancement in conventional weapons development for the US Air Force and US Space Force.

The Munitions Directorate, under Dr. Lambert’s technical leadership, is a premier organization comprising over 800 multidisciplinary professionals who collaborate to accelerate the discovery, development, and transition of cutting-edge technologies in areas such as autonomous systems, energetic materials, and advanced ordnance concepts. His expertise spans a broad range of technical disciplines, including detonation physics, dynamic fracture and fragmentation, penetration mechanics, and integrated ordnance systems.

With a career spanning over three decades in the Department of Defense, Dr. Lambert has established himself as a renowned expert in his field, with a strong background in applied research and development. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Air Force Research Laboratory, and has held leadership positions in various technical communities, including the International Ballistics Society, Hypervelocity Impact Society, and Aeroballistics Range Association.

Dr. Lambert currently serves as the U.S. National Lead for the Weapons Group of the Five Eyes S&T organization (formerly The Technical Cooperation Program) and represents the Air Force on the Executive Steering Group of the Kinetic Weapons Community of Interest, a key initiative under the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Reliance 21 program. His exceptional technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and innovator in the field of conventional weapons development.

Dr. Wade Cook is the Executive Director of the AIM Photonics Manufacturing Institute. Wade has held executive positions in manufacturing, research and development, and business development. He has a PhD in Optics from the University of Rochester and an MS from the US Army War College

Marko Lončar (PhD Caltech 2003; IEEE and Optica Fellow) is professor of EE at Harvard. Lončar has done pioneering work in the field of quantum and nonlinear photonics, and is recognized for the development of diamond and TFLN photonic platforms. He is co-founder of HyperLight Corporation.

Professor Ventsislav Valev is Head of Physics at the University of Bath, renowned for pioneering work in nanophotonics and chirality. He holds a PhD from Radboud University and completed postdoctoral research at KU Leuven and the University of Cambridge. His work has earned numerous prestigious awards and fellowships.

Jon C. Harris, Senior Associate/Chief Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton, brings 24 years of engineering and leadership experience from defense and Department of the Air Force civilian roles. Holding an MS in Systems Engineering and BS in Electrical Engineering, he drives innovative weapons solutions for complex acquisition programs at Eglin AFB.

Brian “Mitch” Mitchell is the Pipeline Coordinator for AFRL Munitions Directorate and is responsible for all K-12 STEM outreach, internships and recruiting. Mitch manages multiple internship programs that provide 75+ STEM students with summer internships working alongside Eglin AFB scientists and engineers. His K-12 initiatives reach over 20,000 students annually.