{"id":292,"date":"2024-09-23T02:31:05","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T02:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/?page_id=292"},"modified":"2025-11-13T14:41:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T14:41:20","slug":"recipients","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"Recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2025 – 2026 Academic Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Abigail Berardi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As a junior in my second year of Modeling and Simulation Engineering, I\u2019m focused on advancing how we approach simulation development through emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and quantum computing to better design, develop, and understand complex systems. Professionally, I develop infrastructure to support modeling and simulation-based navigation system-of-systems testing at Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, and academically, I conduct research in AI-driven simulation software development. Before pursuing engineering, I served as a U.S. Navy Intelligence Specialist, where I learned to think in systems, recognize patterns, and approach uncertainty analytically\u2014perspectives that continue to shape my work today. For me, Modeling and Simulation bridges disciplined analysis and innovation\u2014the ability not only to model the world as it is, but to anticipate what it can become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portfolio:  https:\/\/www.aberardi.com\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayaka Marquez Adriano<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello, I\u2019m Ayaka. Born in Japan, raised in the Philippines, and now living in the US for the past seven years, I\u2019ve been at ODU for two years. I recently discovered the Modeling and Simulation Fellowship, and I\u2019m fascinated by how it allows us to create and explore virtual worlds that mirror real-life complexities, offering powerful insights and solutions to real-world problems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Elexiah Smart<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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My name is Elexiah Smart. I am a sophomore dual majoring in electrical engineering and modeling and simulation engineering. While not yet well-versed within the realm of modeling and simulation, I am excited to gain more experience through research opportunities, specifically in HPCs, machine learning, autonomous vehicles of sorts, and potentially exploring what can be done with haptics. I am typically a jack of all trades and hope to gain experience and knowledge in several areas to find out what will best suit me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ted Birkland<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello! I\u2019m Ted Birkland, a passionate Modeling and Simulation Engineering student entering my third year. I am thrilled to be a part of the fellowship offered by ODU, where I can deepen my exploration of technology and its transformative potential. My goal is to design immersive environments that mirror real-world systems while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in simulation and innovation. I\u2019m excited to take on new challenges, work alongside talented peers, and contribute to the future of technology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hannah Ritchard<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello, I\u2019m Hannah Ritchard, a sophomore Modeling and Simulation Engineering (MSE) major at Old Dominion University. What fascinates me most about MSE is not only the impressive degree of realism that can be achieved in a simulated environment, but also the vast range of applications for said simulations. I\u2019m so grateful to be working in a collaborative field with such brilliant and talented students alongside me, and I hope that with MSE I may create the technological wonders of tomorrow to inspire the next generation of engineers as today\u2019s innovations inspire me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jayla Standin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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I am currently a Sophomore student and in my first year of Modeling and Simulation. No matter what it was, I’ve always been eager to be part of something new and different. A degree in Modeling and Simulation allows me to turn my passion for engineering into valuable skills that are in demand in a rapidly growing industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Branden Ramos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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My name is Branden Ramos. I spent the last nine years in the US Navy operating and maintaining control equipment for nuclear reactors on submarines as an electronic technician. This was the birth of my interest in utilizing the power of computer models and simulations.  I am excited to study Modeling and Simulation Engineering and use it to advance our civilization in the realms of manned space flight and surviving in harsh environments like the deep ocean and in space.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Barath Kannan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello, I\u2019m Barath Kannan, a sophomore in Modeling and Simulation Engineering at Old Dominion University. I grew up mesmerized by laptops, phones, and iPads. This fascination boosted my curiosity to learn more in-depth about technology, which made me want to explore the fundamental principles behind the screen. I wanted to deconstruct the ‘magic’ and understand it at a fundamental level. I am excited to learn more about computer such as AI, Machine Learning and my ultimate goal is to specialize in modeling and simulation to create hyper-realistic virtual environments, where AI and machine learning models can be safely trained and validated before they are deployed in the real world. Pursuing a degree in computer engineering is my way of satisfying that deep-seated curiosity and challenging my way through to create a future in technology with the skills and knowledge I learn from this program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jack Dibari<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hi, I\u2019m Jack DiBari. I\u2019ve always been drawn to computers and programming, but as I kept learning, I started getting more interested in the theory behind how things work. That curiosity led me to Modeling and Simulation Engineering, where I found a mix of creativity, math, and technology. What excites me is how MSE lets us model complex systems and make sense of the world in new ways. I\u2019m looking forward to exploring the many paths this field offers and using what I learn to build meaningful and innovative solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Leo Brennan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello, my name is Leo Brennan. I am a junior at Old Dominion University and majoring in Modeling and Simulation Engineering (MSE). Growing up, I have always excelled at math and science, especially computer programming. These are things that I have always intuitively understood. I want to use my talents to help people and to make a lot of money, and MSE is the best way to do both. Hundreds of companies use MSE in their work to ensure that the products they design work properly and efficiently. Many more are utilizing analytical AI to solve problems that were previously considered unsolvable. The future of MSE is bright and I want to be a part of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nathan Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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My name is Nathan Park. My background is filled with experiences that eventually led me to the modeling and simulation program at Old Dominion. I served as a reactor operator and electronics technician for 6 years in the US Navy, worked in the nuclear fuel enrichment industry, and even worked for a company working on small modular reactor design. Now, in a new turn in my professional development, I serve as a Pathways intern at NASA Langley Research center working with the data systems teams who assist with wind tunnel experiments on next generation aerospace technologies. What is in common with all of these industries? They all involve complex control systems and the need for safety. My passion is in these industrial scale control systems and how we can design high fidelity simulations to help with design, training, and troubleshooting to make operations safer and more reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2025 – 2026 Academic Year As a junior in my second year of Modeling and Simulation Engineering, I\u2019m focused on advancing how we approach simulation development through emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and quantum computing to better design, develop, and… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":833,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/833"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=292"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":421,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions\/421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}