Michael Craig Hatfield | Aerospace Engineering | Best Researcher Award

🚀 Dr. Michael Craig Hatfield is an Associate Professor of Electrical, Computer, and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and Associate Director for Education at the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI). With a Ph.D. in Electrical/Aerospace Engineering from UAF, he has held leadership roles at the Air Force Research Laboratory and the USAF Academy. His research focuses on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), aerospace engineering, and remote sensing. Dr. Hatfield has authored numerous publications and contributed to advancing UAS integration into national airspace. His work bridges academia, industry, and government agencies. ✈️📡

Publication Profile

Scopus

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Education & Experience 

• 🎓 BS in Electrical Engineering – Ohio Northern University, 1984

• 🎓 MS in Electrical Engineering – California State University, Fresno, 1987

• 🎓 Ph.D. in Electrical/Aerospace Engineering – University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1999

• 🏫 Associate Professor – UAF, Electrical & Computer/Aerospace Engineering (2013–Present)

• 🔬 Associate Director for Education – ACUASI, UAF (2013–Present)

• 🏛️ Director – Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate (2009-2012)

• 🛰️ Deputy Director – Air Force Office of Scientific Research (2006-2009)

• 🎓 Deputy Head – USAF Academy, Department of Astronautics (1999-2003)

• 🚀 Assistant Professor – USAF Academy, Department of Astronautics (1992-1996)

Suitability Summary

Dr. Michael Craig Hatfield, Associate Professor of Electrical, Computer, and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is a highly deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award for his groundbreaking contributions to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration, aerospace engineering education, and interdisciplinary engineering solutions. With a Ph.D. in Electrical/Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Hatfield has combined academic excellence, industry leadership, and applied research to advance aerospace technology, remote sensing, and student-driven engineering innovation. His work has significantly shaped the development and integration of UAS into national airspace, impacting defense, environmental research, and education.

Professional Development 

Dr. Hatfield has played a pivotal role in advancing aerospace education, focusing on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and interdisciplinary engineering. As Associate Director for Education at ACUASI, he has spearheaded initiatives that integrate UAS into national airspace and develop aerospace engineering curricula. His leadership in the Air Force Research Laboratory and the USAF Academy has shaped military and civilian aerospace research. He is a frequent presenter at the ASEE Annual Conference, where he shares insights on aerospace education, remote sensing, and interdisciplinary engineering applications. His work continues to inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals. 🌍🛰️📡

Research Focus 

Dr. Hatfield’s research centers on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), aerospace engineering, and remote sensing applications. 🚁 His work supports FAA/NASA UAS Traffic Management efforts and explores UAS applications in wildlife monitoring, environmental assessment, and disaster response. 🌎🛰️ He also develops interdisciplinary aerospace curricula to enhance student learning through hands-on drone missions and real-world engineering challenges. His research integrates electrical engineering, remote sensing, and aviation to improve UAS capabilities for scientific, defense, and commercial use. His contributions help shape the future of autonomous flight and airspace management. ✈️📡

Awards & Honors 🏆

• 🏅 Recognized expert in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) research

• 🎖️ Key contributor to FAA/NASA UAS Traffic Management initiatives

• 📜 Published extensively in aerospace and UAS research journals

• 🏆 Leader in aerospace education and curriculum development

• 🌍 Recipient of multiple research grants in aviation and remote sensing

• ✈️ Active contributor to ASEE Annual Conferences on aerospace education

Publication Top Notes

📡 Unmanned aircraft systems in wildlife research: current and future applications of a transformative technology – Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 14 (5), 241-251, Cited by: 394 (2016) 🦅📷

🔐 Detection of UAV Hijacking and Malfunctions via Variations in Flight Data Statistics – IEEE International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology ICCST, Cited by: 27 (2016) 🛸🚨

✈️ Integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system-efforts by the university of alaska to support the FAA/NASA UAS traffic management program – Remote Sensing 12 (19), 3112, Cited by: 23 (2020) 🛰️📡

⚡ Use of a magnetron as a high-gain, phased-locked amplifier in an electronically-steerable phased array for wireless power transmission – 1998 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, Cited by: 12 (1998) 🔋📶

📡 Design of an electronically-steerable phased array for wireless power transmission using a magnetron directional amplifier – 1999 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, Cited by: 10 (1999) ⚙️⚡

🔬 Characterization and optimization of the magnetron directional amplifier – University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cited by: 6 (1999) 🎓🛠️

🚁 The saber microwave-powered helicopter project and related WPT research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks – AIP conference proceedings 420 (1), 1092-1097, Cited by: 6 (1998) 🚀🔄

🛸 UAS Systems Engineering Design Process in Active Learning – 2016 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Cited by: 5 (2016) 🎓📡