List of Contributors

Senior Professor Randall K. Nichols (Managing Editor* / Author)

Senior Professor. R. K. Nichols Awarded at Spur Ceremony at Fort Hood by Battalion Commander, LTC Jentry, 4th ID, 18 Cav, before the entire Battalion deployed to Iraq.

Randall K. Nichols is a Senior Professor of Practice (SPOP) at Kansas State University and Professor Emeritus at Utica University. Aerospace and Technology Campus in Salina, Kansas. Nichols serves as Director of GC Aerospace Cyber Operations (ACO) and GC Space Systems Operations (SSO) programs. Nichols is internationally respected, with 58 years of experience in leadership roles in cryptography, counterintelligence, INFOSEC, INFOWAR, and sensitive computer applications. Throughout his career, Nichols has published seventeen best-selling textbooks. Nichols has counseled the United States government and is certified as a federal subject matter expert (SME) in cryptography and computer forensics on federal treason/espionage cases. His most recent work involves creating master’s and certificate graduate-level programs for KSU and Utica University. To wit:

Author/ Developer: MPT/ MS / Certificate in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) -Cybersecurity

• Program Director / Author / Developer: GC Aerospace Cyber Operations (ACO)
• Program Director / Developer: GC Space Systems Operations (SSO)
• Retired Chair and Program Developer: MS – Cybersecurity –Intelligence and Forensics
• Retired Chair and Program Director: BS – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
• Coauthor / Developer: MPS – Risk Assessment and Cybersecurity Policy
• Author / Developer: MS Cyber Surveillance and Warfare

Previously, Nichols was COO of INFOSEC Technologies, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in Counterterrorism, Counterespionage, and Information Security Countermeasures to support its 1700 commercial, educational, and US government clients.

Nichols served as CEO of COMSEC Solutions, a Cryptographic / Anti-virus / Biometrics Countermeasures Company, a public company acquired in 2000. He served as vice president of cryptography and director of research for the acquiring firm.

Nichols served as Technology Director of Cryptography and Biometrics for the International Computer Security Association (ICSA) and President and Vice President of the American Cryptogram Association (ACA).

Nichols was Manager of Computer Applications, Transportation, and Quality Control for Reynolds Metals Company.

Nichols holds a 3rd Dan Black Belt (R) in Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo and a permanent 2nd Dan Black Belt (D) rank. In Corpus Christi, TX, he taught self-defense courses for women. In 1994, Nichols was elevated to Ring Judge for the National Taekwondo Championships held in San Antonio, TX.

Managing Editor / Coauthor UAS/CUAS/UUVs/SPACE/Marine Textbook Series:

MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (2025) Accepted for publication Nov. 2025.

SURVIVAL IN SPACE (2025) Available through Amazon at https://a.co/d/afUzKUV

Advanced Technologies for Humanity, (2024) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBK9ZMPV; Available as free eBook: https://kstatelibraries.pressbooks.pub/techforhumans/

Cyber-Human Systems, Space Technologies, and Threats (2023). Available as a free book at: https://newprairiepress.org/ebooks/52

Space Systems: Emerging Technologies and Operations. (2022) Manhattan, KS: New Prairie Press #47. Available as a free book at: https://newprairiepress.org/ebooks/47

DRONE DELIVERY OF CBNRECy – DEW WEAPONS, Emerging Threats of Mini-Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disruption (WMDD). (2022) Manhattan, KS: New Prairie Press #46.

Available as a free eBook at: https://newprairiepress.org/ebooks/46/ 

Disruptive Technologies with Applications in Airline, Marine, and Defense Industries (2021) 

Available as a free eBook at: https://newprairiepress.org/ebooks/38/ 

Unmanned Vehicle Systems & Operations on Air, Sea, and Land (2020)

Available as a free eBook at: https://www.newprairiepress.org/ebooks/35/ 

Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technologies and Operations (2020)

Available as a free eBook at:  https://www.newprairiepress.org/ebooks/31/ 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cyber Domain: Protecting USA’s Advanced Air Assets, 2nd Edition (2019)Available as a free eBook at:  https://www.newprairiepress.org/ebooks/27

Areas of Expertise / Research Interests

• Counterterrorism / Counterintelligence/Counterespionage / Computer Security
• Countermeasures, Asymmetric Warfare, and Attack / Defense Scenarios against National Critical Infrastructure
• Computer Forensics and Cryptography SME & Federal Expert Witness (Federal Criminal Cases: Treason / Espionage)
• Risk Assessment / Threat Analysis / Vulnerabilities Analysis / Countermeasures
• Cybersecurity / Surveillance Technologies: Aerial, Infrared, Visual, Ultraviolet, Radio, Radar & Sonar
• SCADA – Advanced Cyber-weapons Creation / Deployment / Deployment / Defense
• UAS- Integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System
• CUAS – Designing advanced counter-UAS systems with Stealth
• UUVs – Tracking Unmanned Underwater ISR Vehicles of hostile actors
• Designing Acoustic Countermeasures against hostile-actor UAS SWARMS & developing dual-purpose IFF sound libraries.
• Space Electronic Warfare & ECD Jamming / Spoofing Countermeasures
• Space Systems, Space Weapons, and Emerging Technologies
• Maritime Transportation Sector (MTS) Security

Contact Senior Prof. Randall K. Nichols at profrknichols@ksu.edu

*Direct all inquiries about this book to Senior Prof. Randall K. Nichols at profrknichols@ksu.edu

 Jacob Beckman (Coauthor)

Jacob Beckman is a research academic currently residing in Berea, Kentucky, with his wife and three cats. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Science from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. He has recently graduated with his Master of Science in Integrated Systems Design & Dynamics with a Graduate Certificate in Space Systems and Operations from Kansas State University. His professional background includes additional presence in academia, most recently serving as an academic advisor and program facilitator for engineering students at Bluegrass Community & Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jacob most recently presented to the United States Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his research focused on the “human aspect” of space travel, highlighting the physiological and psychological changes on the human body while in orbit. He is also the creator and developer of The Empyrean Forge, groundwork research in developing an additive manufacturing supply chain process that would result in the production of structural components for extraterrestrials. This work is his freshman publication.   

Professor Candice M. Carter (Coauthor)

Prof. Candice Carter is a cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cybercriminal investigations. She conducts Classified/Unclassified briefings in the areas of Terroristic Cyber Capabilities using Social Media and Counterterrorism for the Intelligence Community (IC). Ms. Carter researches Asymmetric Warfare and Attack / Defense Scenarios against National Critical Infrastructure. She is the Team Lead for the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute for Transformative Vertical Flight (TVF) Commercial Intra-City On-Demand VTOL group. Ms. Carter is an invited speaker for key organizations, including BSides London and (ISC)2 Security Congress. She is an Assistant Professor/Chair MSc Cybersecurity program at Wilmington University. Ms. Carter holds an MSc in Cybersecurity Forensics and Intelligence from Utica College, Utica, NY, and a PMT Cybersecurity UAS from Kansas State University.  

Colonel (USAF Ret.) Doug “Cinco” DeMaio (Coauthor)

Colonel (Ret.) Doug “Cinco” DeMaio is the Director of Advanced Technologies at Air University’s Innovation Accelerator (AUiX) in Montgomery, Alabama. Previously, he commanded the 187th Fighter Wing, Dannelly Field, Alabama Air National Guard from 5 May 2021 to 2 August 2022, where he was responsible for 1,400 personnel, three geographically separated units, and 22 F-16 aircraft. He earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991, attended Euro-NATO Joint-Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and has served in various roles as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner at the squadron, group, and wing levels. Colonel DeMaio commanded the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, deploying to Balad Air Base, Iraq, and later commanded the NATO Deployable Air Operations Center at Poggio Renatico, Italy. He is a graduate of the US Army’s Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Eisenhower School for National Security, Fort McNair, Washington D.C., earning Master’s Degrees in Theater Operations and Long-Term Strategy. As the Vice Commander of the LeMay Center for Doctrine, he served as a founding member of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Air Superiority, Multi-Domain Command and Control, and Electronic Warfare/Electromagnetic Spectrum Enterprise Capabilities Collaboration Teams. He coauthored the Department of the Air Force’s Joint All-Domain Operations Doctrine, penned the Counterspace Doctrine, assisted the Space Force with doctrine and concepts, and worked with the LeMay Center to field Agile Combat Employment doctrine. Colonel DeMaio is a Command Pilot with over 2,800 flight hours in the F-16 and a veteran of five combat deployments to Southwest Asia. 

MAJOR CARTER DIEBOLD Military Intelligence Officer, US Army (Coauthor)

Carter Diebold is the first graduate of Kansas State University’s Aerospace Cyber Operations Graduate Certificate Program. He also holds a Master of Operational Studies degree from the US Command and General Staff College and a Bachelor of Science in Informatics from Indiana University. Carter’s most recent research focuses on the impact of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Western Pacific, as well as threats to undersea cable networks. Carter is a career Army Officer who has served in numerous command and staff positions from the Company to Brigade levels with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), and the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force. He is also a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the conflict in Northwest Africa, and operations in the Indo-Pacific theater. Carter lives in Clarksville, Tennessee, with his life partner, Megan, and dog Argo. He holds certifications as an FAA Remote Pilot and Bourbon Steward. 

Dr. Reza Ghaffari (Coauthor)

Dr. Reza Ghaffari is a distinguished cybersecurity executive, technologist, and military leader with over 40 years of aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity expertise. As the CEO and Founder of Cyber Vet Solutions, LLC, he has driven cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Fortune 100/500 corporations, including Northrop Grumman, Intergraph, General Electric, and the US State Dept.  His work has molded cyber resilience, aviation security, industrial control systems, and national defense strategies.

A retired US Navy captain with 30 years of active and reserve service, Dr. Ghaffari has held senior leadership roles at the Pentagon and NAVAIR as an aeronautical engineering duty officer. He deployed to Afghanistan, where he led critical Navy Aerostat/UAV systems and provided operational leadership, aerospace engineering, cybersecurity operations, operational risk assessments, and readiness. He has played a pivotal role in developing DoD-wide cyber policies, compliance/accreditation, threat analysis frameworks, cyber survivability strategies, and risk assessment.

In academia, Dr. Ghaffari is an adjunct professor at George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), and The Citadel/College of Charleston, where he instructs advanced cybersecurity, systems architecture, and national security. He holds a Doctor of Engineering with research on Cybersecurity Risk Assessment and security control for autonomous systems from George Washington University and advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and National Security Strategy from The Citadel, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Naval War College.

Fluent in multiple languages, Dr. Ghaffari has served as a strategic advisor to DoD, NATO/ISAF, and global defense organizations, providing socio-political, strategic planning, cyber intelligence, and technical insights. The following are some noteworthy honors: The Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards). 

Wayne D. Lonstein, Esq. CISSP (Coauthor)

Wayne Lonstein holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Wilkes University, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Cyber Forensics and Information Security from Syracuse University – Utica College, A Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in Information Security from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Pace University School of Law. Mr. Lonstein holds a CISSP Certification from The Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the state bars of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, as well as being admitted to over 30 United States District Court Bars, the Court of Veterans Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and the bar of the United States Court of Appeals of the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Circuits.

Mr. Lonstein has practiced law nationally since 1987 in the area of technology, intellectual property, sports, and entertainment, and has litigated over 2000 cases. He is also a New York State Magistrates Association member and has served as a Magistrate Judge in the Town of Wawarsing, New York, since 1989. He is a member of Signal Law PC; the Co-Founder and CEO of VFT Solutions is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Wayne Lonstein received the 2019 Penn State World Campus Outstanding Alumnus (Graduate) Award for his cybersecurity and homeland security work.

Mr. Lonstein has authored numerous articles, including: “Why Industry and Government Leaders Need to Realize Vulnerabilities of the Cloud,” Published on 16 June, 2017, on LinkedIn; ‘Identifying The Lone Wolf Using Technology,” on LinkedIn, Published on 3 July, 2015; “Are Social Media Companies Using ToS And Safe Harbor To Profit From Infringement, Crime And Terror?,” Forbes.com, 28 April, 2017; “Weaponizing Social Media: New Technology Brings New Threat,” Forbes.com, 7 July, 2017; ‘Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain’: Technology vs. Transparency,” Forbes.com, 17 October, 2017; and “Drone Technology: The Good, The Bad And The Horrible,” Forbes.com, 10 January, 2018. 

Vikas Malhotra (Co-author)

Vikas is a seasoned executive, technologist, and entrepreneur with 25+ years of international experience. Vikas is interested in ‘human experience’ and specifically, in creating safe, fair, and trusted experiences; whether it be in the context of human-human, human-org, human-machine, machine-machine, or human-environment. He focuses on decentralized, distributed & personal models (identity, data, compute, intelligence) that lead to the formation of inferred networks based on Trust, named Trust Fabric. Vikas is the founder of WOPLLI, which is the next-generation experiences company, making our experiences [as we Work, Play, Learn, Live] safe, fair, and trusted. Vikas is also the founder of Navandine, which is a next-generation hospitality experiences company.

Previously, Vikas worked for 20+ years for various firms, with 14+ years at Microsoft (2006-2020), where he helped create, form, and grow services & markets for Office 365 and cloud, from within the engineering division. In prior companies (Microline, CyberTech, CIBER, and INS (now British Telecom)), Vikas worked in the system integration space, enhancing the value and implementation of digital systems and frameworks for many clients across various verticals, with a focus on networking and messaging. He helped pioneer Application Service Provider (ASP) service in the early 2000s for one of his employers; a service delivered from remote datacenters, which was about 5 years prior to the term ‘cloud’ being recognized.

Vikas is a contributor to standards, where he contributes to many projects within the Linux Foundation and International web level & is the chair of the IEEE IC program on Cyber Security for Next Generation Connectivity Systems, along with contributing to various IEEE standards workgroups. Vikas has previously coauthored the chapter on Robotics in space in the book ‘Survival in Space.

Vikas has always been interested in new technologies and how to fix stuff, as he grew up in a family of engineers and entrepreneurs. Vikas holds a Master of Science (MS) in Telecom Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, and a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electronics & Telecommunication from the University of Pune, India. Vikas resides in New Jersey, USA, with his wife and two daughters. 

Dr. Hans C. Mumm (Coauthor)

Dr. Mumm has spent a combined twenty-nine years in government and contractor service, building teams to address hard problems in the areas of national security, homeland security, and advanced technologies. He was the Division Chief for Cyber Security at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), programming and executing a budget of over $140M. Subsequently, he accepted a Branch Chief position with the CIA and built a unique set of continuous monitoring capabilities supporting the ICD503 Risk Management Framework. His achievements include establishing a rogue wireless framework and the funding, technology, and teams to support the ICD 503 initiatives. His programmatic responsibilities included auditing the financial statements of assigned programs, planning the long-range for next-generation systems, and tracking working capital funds through the CBJB and POM submissions.

He gained notoriety during Operation Iraqi Freedom as the officer in charge of the “Iraqi Regime Playing Cards; CENTCOM’s Top 55 Most Wanted List,” which was touted by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as one of the most successful Information Operations (IO) in the history of DIA. Due to combat injuries, he was medically retired through the Wounded Warrior Transition Program and was a direct hire to the ODNI. His teams’ successes live in history books, technology journals, and military museums.

Dr. Mumm is a proven leader in diverse fields, including autonomous systems, post-quantum cyber security, AI/machine learning, advanced fuel systems, cognitive scientific research, and all aspects of the military intelligence communities. He has nine published books, many white papers, and research studies to his credit in both the scientific and social science arenas. He has won grants and contracts to test further and evaluate his original research. He has notable experience in research and systems engineering, including winning awards and contracts for UAV research and creating an advanced multiple-fuel system (AI-based) where he operated the world’s first and only helicopter that flies on five separate fuels without engine modifications. His research extends into emerging and disruptive technology for offensive and defensive missions supporting US and coalition operations. His UAV and robotics expertise has focused on determining the specific uses, exceptions, and allowances for robotics operations, including studying the unintended consequences, future use, and misuse of such technologies.

Dr. Mumm holds a Doctorate of Management with a concentration in Homeland Security from Colorado Technical University (CTU), an MS in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University (AMU), and a BS in Management from Chadwick University. His military education includes dozens of in-residence strategic and tactical courses and specialized intelligence disciplines, leadership, and management courses.

Dr. Mumm was entered into the US Congressional Record (E1201-E1202, 5 September 2018) for his decades of dedication and service to the United States of America. He has earned twenty-three personal military ribbons/medals, including six military unit medals/citations and two Directors’ Awards from the Defense Intelligence Agency. In 2016, he was awarded the People of Distinction Humanitarian Award and a US Patent and Trademark for How to Harmonize the Speed of Innovation and Change with the Human Spirit’s Need for Leadership. In 2005, Dr. Mumm was recognized as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Americans.” In 2003, he was awarded the National Defense PAC “American Patriot Ingenuity Award” for his service during “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

Dr. Mumm is an adjunct professor at Penn West in California, Pennsylvania, instructing Homeland Security courses in the Criminal Justice Department.

He recently coauthored “Space Systems: Emerging Technologies and Operations” the seventh book in a series of textbooks, which includes two editions titled “Unmanned Aircraft in the Cyber Domain; Protecting USA’s Advanced Air Assets,” Drone Delivery of  CBNRECy – DEW WEAPONS -Emerging Threats of Mini-Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disruption (WMDD) “Unmanned Vehicle Systems & Operations on Air, Sea, Land,” and an early 2020 book titled “Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technologies and Operation.”  These textbooks follow his international best-selling book in 2017 titled “Lightning Growth” and his best-selling book in 2015 titled “Applying Complexity Leadership Theory to Drone Airspace Integration.”

Contact Information: Dr. Hans C. Mumm, 703-303-1752, hans@hansmumm.com. www.HansMumm.com 

Rajesh Murthy (Coauthor)

Rajesh is a seasoned management and technology expert with over 3 decades of ICT experience in secure and resilient software systems engineering. Specializing in integrating emergent technologies for business success and software systems evolution, he excels in cross-functional collaboration and delivering connectivity solutions. He addresses modernization challenges and ensures robust security and governance in dynamic technological environments.

An IEEE Senior Member and ACM Professional, he holds multiple certifications, including CISSP, CCSP, CCSK, SEI Service Architecture, SEI ATAM, and PMP, reflecting his wealth of expertise.

As a dedicated community contributor, he actively collaborates on standards development and peer-reviewed articles. He is a judge in science and engineering fairs and shares knowledge in STEM, security, and privacy.

He volunteers his time and effort as a board member to educational institutions and non-profits. He has served as a board member for NGOs such as BSS Montreal and Brossard Cricket, promoting not only security practices but also the diversity, cultures, and traditions of India, showcasing his commitment to community leadership.

Looking ahead, he actively mentors high school and college students, guiding them in developing STEM practices and preparing them for the challenges of navigating interconnected and intricate systems. His goal is to enrich the enterprise and community environment by fostering innovation and cultivating the acumen required to manage future complexity.

Areas of Expertise and Research: Software Systems Engineering and Management, Secure Trustable Systems, Autonomous Environments

Major Joseph L. Puntoriero (Coauthor), Special Operations Officer, US Army

Major Joseph L. Puntoriero, US Army, is a Space Operations Officer and Special Operations Governance Officer at 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Master’s in Operational Studies from St. Mary’s University and the US Army Command & General Staff College, respectively. He additionally holds Certificates of Graduate Studies from Harvard University in Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster and from Kansas State University in Space Systems and Operations. His military career spans diverse roles, including service on the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission in Korea, operational deployments throughout the Middle East, and service on the Commander’s staff at Special Operations Command Central. While at Special Operations Command Central, he advanced the integration of joint space effects in SOF operations with USSOCOM and US Space Force. Major Puntoriero lives in Colorado with his wife and two children.

Dr. Keeper Sharkey (Coauthor) 

Executive Summary 

Dr. Keeper L. Sharkey is a globally recognized subject matter expert (SME) in chemistry, quantum information science, cybersecurity, and data-driven technologies, and has recently been named one of the Top 10 most influential figures in Quantum Technology by Quantum. Tech of AlphaEvents. She has also been named among the Top 40 Under 40 in cybersecurity (2023) by Top Cyber News Magazine and as one of the Top Women in Cyber (2024) by The Cyber Express, and Marquis Who’s Who Top Executive in 2024. She has consistently demonstrated leadership across scientific, defense, and innovation domains.

Dr. Sharkey has authored multiple peer-reviewed chapters and books on applied quantum computing, including the accessible and widely used Quantum Chemistry and Computing for the Curious (Packt, 2023), which has been listed as one of the top 10 chemistry books by Book Authority (https://bookauthority.org/books/best-chemistry-books). Her work often integrates immersive storytelling, speculative futures thinking, and science-forward design to explore the implications of emerging technologies.

Dr. Sharkey brings a rare and strategic fusion of deep-domain knowledge in quantum computing, theoretical chemistry, data science, and mathematics. Her expertise spans the development of quantum algorithms, simulation of molecular systems, quantum-secure infrastructure, and AI-driven chemical models. She is the inventor of QLEAN™ (Quantum Logical Electrons & Nuclei), an advanced quantum virtualization framework that accurately models chemical states without approximation—supporting security-critical applications. She presented at AIChE Quantum ChemE 2025 (QChemE): Quantum Computing Applications in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. https://www.aiche.org/conferences/quantum-computing-and-artificial-intelligence-applications-workshop/2025

With over 20 years of interdisciplinary research and leadership, Dr. Sharkey has contributed to quantum technology standards, disaster resilience frameworks, national security working groups, and innovation policy. She has worked across government, academia, and private industry to advance the responsible development and deployment of next-generation technologies. Her recent research focuses on the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, including maritime, aerospace, and space-based systems.

Education

Cornell University, Remote National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corp (I-Corps) – Entrepreneurial Lead, March 2021 – May 2021.

Certificate, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Department of Physics and Astronomy – Postdoctoral Faculty August 2016 – August 2017

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Physics, May 201.5. Dissertation topic: Very Accurate Quantum Mechanical Non-Relativistic Spectra Calculations

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ BS Mathematics, National Science, Math, and Research Talent (SMART) Award Recipient May 2010

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, BS Chemistry, American Chemical Society Certified degree, May 2009

Utah Tech University, St. George, UT A.S. in Health Science, May 2005

Books

Nichols, R.K. et. al. (2024). Advanced Technologies for Humanit.y Available through Amazon & Pressbooks at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBK9ZMPV

free: https://kstatelibraries.pressbooks.pub/techforhumans/

Sharkey, K.L. (2023). Quantum Chemistry and Computing for the Curious: Illustrated with Python and Qiskit Code. Packt Pub in May of 2023, available on Amazon.com.

Professional experience (last 19 years)

ODE, L3C, Quantum Science, Research & Technology (STAR) Institution – Founder & CEO, December 2018 – Present. Dr. Sharkey is responsible for developing intellectual property regarding accurate quantum virtualization technology called Quantum Logical Electrons & Nuclei (QLEAN™) as a security solution using explicit computational intelligence of chemical states without the use of approximations.

IEEE Standards Association – Chair of P1947 April 2024 – Present

InfraGard’s National Disaster Resilience Council – Chair of Quantum Technology and Cyber Security Cross-Sector Council, August 2024 – Present

Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), Co-founding member, June 2020 – Present

University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, AZ Designated Campus Colleague – Research Associate Faculty May 2015 – Present

IEEE Industry Connections Group – Chair of SC10 subgroup June 2022 – April 2024

Quantum Security Alliance (QSA), Chair of Applied Quantum Chemistry, September 2019 – March 2023

Quantum Blue, Remote Executive Team – Chief Science Officer December 2019 – May 2020

Nordic Quantum Computing Group, Remote USA Partner Program – Coordinator, September 2018 – December 2018

Imprezzio Inc., Spokane, WA, Engineering Department, Data Science Team – Research Analyst January 2018 – September 2018

NimbusWorks, LLC, Saint George, UT, Science and Technology Department – Consultant, May 2015 – February 2016

Pima Community. College, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ Science Laboratory – Main Specialist May 2009 – August 2009

Venture Solutions Group, LLC, St. George, UT Science Laboratory – Lead Safety Officer, November 2005 – May 2006

 Kira Nichols (Cover Art)

Kira Nichols has been employed at the American Lung Association since February 2016 and has recently received a promotion to the position of Senior Manager of Graphic Design. As a freelance artist, she has created designs for book covers, social media graphics, logos, and posters. In December 2015, she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing, with a minor in Technical and Professional Communications. Through her minor, she had the opportunity to enroll in various graphic design courses within the Art Department, as well as advertising classes offered by the Communications and Journalism Department. 

KSU SUPPORTING MANAGEMENT 

Dr. Alysia Starkey (Dean & CEO, Kansas State University Aerospace and Technology, Salina Campus)

Dr. Starkey is a Professor and currently serves as the CEO and Dean of the Kansas State University Aerospace and Technologies Campus. As Dean, she oversees the College of Technology and Aviation academic programs and campus research centers. Dr. Starkey holds an A.A. in Social Work from Colby Community College, a BS in Psychology from Fort Hays State University, an M.L.S. from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University. Joining Kansas State University Aerospace and Technologies Campus in June 2002 as a technical services/automation coordinator and assistant professor, Starkey was promoted to library director and associate professor in 2007 and assistant dean of continuous improvement and distance education in 2010. She was named associate Dean of academics and promoted to full professor in 2014. She gained the additional duties of interim CEO and Dean in June 2018 and continues in that capacity today.

 Troy Harding (Department Head of Integrated Studies and Super Boss!) (Foreword)

Troy Harding is a professor of computer systems technology and the department head of integrated studies at Kansas State University, Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Professor Harding earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Computer Science from Bethany College and a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. Before joining K-State, he worked as Technical Director at Aquarian Systems in Orange, VA, as Programmer/Analyst and Network Coordinator at Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, and as Director of I.S. at Kansas Wesleyan University. At K-State, he received the Marchbanks Award for Teaching Excellence, the McArthur Faculty Fellow Award, and the endowed McCune & Middlekauff Fellowship.