USNA CS major joins first ever class of Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers

The first three officers in the Navy’s newest officer designation 1880, Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO), started training in Computer Network Operator Qualification Course (CNOQC), which is being taught for the first time at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station, on July 10, 2023. The new MCWOs will join with enlisted Sailors in CNOQC to receive basic level training for offensive cyber operations provided to Interactive On-Net (ION) operators, as the first step toward creating Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers with on-keyboard skills. ENS Hans Cabrera, class of '23 and Computer Science Major, is one of the three officers training to become the Navy's first Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO).

2023 Capstone Award

During the 3 May USNA Capstone Day events, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) leadership surprised four midshipmen researchers from the computer science department by awarding them Navy Achievement Medals (NAMs) for their significant research contributions to Naval Special Warfare (NSW) priority projects. The capstone research teams' sophisticated handling of large data sets, and application of unique machine learning algorithms to these data sets, allowed enhancements to be installed on multiple real-world high classification systems which have directly increased NSW operational capabilities. One estimate suggests that this research collaboration saved the NSW enterprise over $10 million dollars in contracting fees. The midshipmen each expressed great satisfaction in knowing that their 1/C capstone projects directly contributed to fleet readiness.

2023 Jean Bartik Computing Symposium (JBCS)

On February 2-3, 2023, ten midshipmen from computing majors at the Naval Academy attended the fourth Jean Bartik Computing Symposium (JBCS) at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The event is named after Jean Jennings Bartik, one of the early pioneers of computing, and a key contributor to the ENIAC, BINAC and UNIVAC projects. The midshipmen were joined by cadets from West Point, Coast Guard Academy, and Air Force Academy, along with faculty from the four service academies, distinguished speakers from several DOD labs, agencies, and industrial partners. This two days event seeks to promote fellowship among women and minorities in computing majors at the service academies and provide technical training and mentorship through interactive workshops, student presentations, keynotes, and panels. Read more about JBCS  here. We are looking forward to hosting next year’s event at the Naval Academy!

Computer Science major, MIDN Kade Heckel wins Mashall Scholarship

MIDN Kade Heckel has been awarded the prestigious Mashall Scholarship! Upon graduation, MIDN Heckel will pursue a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. Read more here. MIDN Heckel is a dual Computer Science, Computer Engineering major and Trident Scholar working with the Computer Science Department's own, Professor Ric Crabbe. Congratulations and good luck with your studies in England.

Dr. Gavin Taylor wins 2022 Teaching Excellence Award

Associate Professor Gavin Taylor is the 2022 recipient of the "Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Teaching Excellence Award". Professor Taylor distinguished himself through his research and steadfast dedication to Midshipmen by supervising three Trident scholars, including the most recent winner of the 1979 Trident Scholar Prize and co-chairing the committee to develop the brand new Data Science major. Read more about Dr. Taylor here.

Dr. Nate Chambers Wins 2020 Research Excellence Award

Associate Professor Nate Chambers is the 2020 recipient of the "Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Excellence in Research Award", which is presented annually to the civilian faculty member at the Naval Academy who has exhibited the highest quality continued scholarly achievement through research. Dr. Chambers' research interests include natural language processing (NLP) and learning about the world from text with minimal supervision. Read more about Dr. Chambers here.

Harrison Foley Wins 2021 Top Trident Scholar Prize

MIDN 1/C Harrison Foley is the 2021 recipient of the "Class of 1979 Trident Scholar Prize". MIDN Foley, a Computer Science major, was advised by Associate Professor Gavin Taylor of the Computer Science Department as he worked on his award winning project titled "Deceiving Neural Networks in Common Application s". Learn more about the Trident program and MIDN Foley's project here and learn about Dr. Taylor's research interests  here.

Jamie Lee Earns Prestigious Churchill Scholarship

Each year, qualified students apply for the Churchill Scholarship in hopes of securing one of the 15 spots. This competitive scholarship allows the winners to earn a master’s degree at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge in UK. This year, MIDN Lee, Computer Science major, competed amongst 127 candidates from 82 institutions nationwide to win one of the 15 spots. MIDN Lee will pursue a master’s degree in Machine Learning. Once she completes the year-long program, she will serve in the Navy as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer.

Mike Hanling Wins 2020 Top Trident Scholar Prize

MIDN 1/C Mike Hanling is the 2020 recipient of the "Class of 1979 Trident Scholar Prize". MIDN Hanling, a Computer Science major, was advised by Associate Professor Daniel S. Roche of the Computer Science Department as he worked on his award winning project titled "Proofs of Retrievability with Low Server Storage". Learn more about the Trident program and MIDN Hanling's project here and learn about Dr. Roche's research interests  here.

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