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Naval Undersea Warfare Center Scientist Honored for Significant Contributions, Breakthroughs

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081223-09
Release Date: 12/23/2008 1:41:00 PM

From Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) presented a mathematician from Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport with the NAVSEA Scientist of the Year award Dec. 17.

Thomas Wettergren, Ph.D., received the award which recognizes his significant contributions to applied mathematics during the previous year. These included major breakthroughs in search path planning which will increase the effectiveness of unmanned vehicles.

"Dr. Wettergren has distinguished himself as an innovator and prolific research scientist," said Capt. Michael Byman, commander, NUWC Division Newport.

"Basically, the award recognizes an ability to explain the mathematical benefit of the use of collaboration between independent search systems," said Wettergren. "We then were able to apply this benefit to distributed sensors and undersea vehicles."

Wettergren's scientific achievements have regularly led to technical leadership roles both within the science and technology community and within the Navy acquisition community. In addition to the positions he holds in Newport, Wettergren has taken on additional responsibilities with Navy organizations in Washington.

As a recognized expert in his field, Wettergren is often invited to speak at national and international conferences and his research results are published in peer-reviewed scientific and engineering journals.

"It is noteworthy that Dr. Wettergren's personal achievements play a critical role in keeping Division Newport at the forefront of undersea warfare research and development. His dedication, expertise, and professionalism have earned him the respect of fellow scientists, mathematicians, and engineers," said Byman. "His pioneering work in applied mathematics ensures the continued viability of undersea warfare readiness for the U.S. Submarine Fleet."

"Being selected for this honor was a pretty big surprise," said Wettergren. "Mathematical work often gets overlooked for other more visible work in experimentation and prototyping. It is exciting that this work, which is more pencil and paper in nature, has been recognized."

"This honor allows us to perhaps to be more credible in bringing this expertise to new customers," he said. "We want to attract customers who, historically, might not have considered using our services."

Wettergren, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., resides in North Kingstown, R.I. He has worked at Division Newport for 13 years.

For more news from Naval Undersea Warfare Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nuwc/.