Greetings from Daytona Beach, Florida! I serve as an Academic Advisor with the College of Aviation at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) residential campus. Although a Florida native, my grandparents valued and encouraged travel and we spent a month exploring Europe during high school. While pursuing my undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Florida (1990), I studied in Florence, Italy my senior year. Switching gears after many years of family focus, I discovered Embry-Riddle’s unique campus and aviation focus provided the intrigue to pursue an advanced degree in the quickly evolving world of Unmanned Systems, including the more commonly known drones. I was able to continue the travel tradition by completing the capstone requirement for my graduate degree from ERAU (2019) in Kosovo.

Pursuing my Master’s in Unmanned Systems, my introduction to flying small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) was a collaborative ERAU project researching, testing and compiling results for approximately 15 platforms for the (sUAS) Consumer Guide. I have additional experience flying the fixed wing SenseFly eBee, used for mapping and identifying citrus greening (or HLB) at a local orange grove.

My most recent research project provided the opportunity to combine my undergraduate area of studies in art history with UAS conducting aerial mapping of various historical sites with quadcoptors. By providing documentation and specific site mapping, our efforts helped authorities elevate understanding and cultural significance of heritage sites like fortresses, native dwellings or kulas, and an ancient Roman town for the Balkan country Kosovo. I look forward to this opportunity to share my experience, knowledge and unique skill-set with ERAU’s ProEd community.