Senior Technical Experts Program (STEP) – Disciplines and Experts

STEP comprises an elite cadre of scientists and technical specialists who apply their world-class expertise to the ongoing work of promoting safety-enhancing innovation, policies, and practices in the FAA's regulatory, certification, and oversight programs. Technical disciplines, as well as biographies and contact information for the associated Chief Scientist and Technical Advisors (CSTA) and Senior Technical Specialists (STS) are listed below.

Advanced Cabin Safety
Jeff Gardlin, CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 jeff.gardlin@faa.gov
Advanced Composite Materials
Larry Ilcewicz, Ph.D., CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 larry.ilcewicz@faa.gov Cindy Ashforth, STS 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 cindy.ashforth@faa.gov
Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
Thomas Broderick, Ph.D., CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 thomas.f.broderick@faa.gov
Aircraft Computer Software
George Romanski, CSTA 1200 District Avenue Burlington, MA 01803 george.romanski@faa.gov
Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning
Trung Pham, Ph.D., CSTA 10101 Hillwood Pkwy Fort Worth, TX 76177 trung.t.pham@faa.gov
Aviation Fuels
Paul Wrzesinski, Ph.D., STS 6424 Denning Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73169 paul.j.wrzesinski@faa.gov
Crash Dynamics
Joseph Pellettiere, Ph.D., CSTA 8427 South Park Cir Orlando, FL 32819 joseph.pellettiere@faa.gov
Dynamic Systems
Bimal Aponso, CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 bimal.l.aponso@faa.gov
Fatigue and Damage Tolerance
Michael Gorelik, Ph.D., CSTA 17777 N Perimeter Dr Scottsdale AZ 85255 michael.gorelik@faa.gov
Flight Deck Human Factors
Kathy Abbott, Ph.D., CSTA 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20591 kathy.abbott@faa.gov Colleen Donovan, STS 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20591 colleen.donovan@faa.gov
Flight Meteorological Effects
Cris Bosetti, CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 cris.k.bosetti@faa.gov
Flight Simulation Systems
Jeffery Schroeder, Ph.D., CSTA NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035 jeffery.schroeder@faa.gov Larry McDonald, STS 107 Charles W. Grant Pkwy Hapeville, GA 30354 larry.e.mcdonald@faa.gov
High Energy Electromagnetic Effects
Rob Steinle, CSTA 2200 S 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198 robert.s.steinle@faa.gov
Propulsion Systems
Catalin Fotache, Ph.D., CSTA 1200 District Ave Burlington, MA 01803 catalin.g.fotache@faa.gov
Safety and Risk Analysis
Michael Bartron, CSTA 1699 King Street Enfield, CT 06082 michael.s.bartron@faa.gov
Satellite Navigation Systems
Ken Alexander, CSTA 800 Independence Avenue Washington, DC 20591 ken.alexander@faa.gov
Wake Turbulence
Edward Johnson, Ph.D., CSTA 12 Langley Blvd Hampton, VA 23681 edward.johnson@faa.gov

For more information about STEP, contact the Senior Technical Experts Office (AIR-20)

Last updated: Thursday, July 11, 2024

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Senior Technical Experts Program (STEP) – Disciplines and Experts

U.S. Department of Transportation