Adapting to My New Role at the Naval Postgraduate School

Starting a New Chapter at the Naval Postgraduate School

Transitioning into a new role always comes with a mix of excitement and adjustment. As I begin my journey as a Faculty Associate of Machine Learning at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, I’ve taken time to reflect on what this change has meant for me—both professionally and personally.

Adapting to a Unique Mission and Environment

Joining NPS has been a rewarding and eye-opening experience. The institution’s mission, which merges rigorous academic inquiry with real-world military applications, presents a unique context for research and innovation. Coming from a more traditional academic background, I've had to recalibrate not just to a new campus culture, but also to a broader vision—one that ties technical advancement directly to national security.

My work here spans several machine learning initiatives that support the Navy’s evolving technological needs. From exploring cutting-edge ML applications to managing hands-on hackathons and organizing AI-focused conferences for military leadership, each day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to contribute.

Building Community and Embracing Collaboration

What has stood out most so far is the sense of purpose shared across the NPS community. Faculty, staff, and students are all driven by a collective commitment to excellence, innovation, and service. In just a short time, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with brilliant colleagues across disciplines and connect with students who bring diverse perspectives and operational experience to every conversation.

Looking Forward

Adjusting to a new role in such a dynamic environment hasn’t been without its challenges, but the learning curve has been energizing. NPS offers an exceptional space for innovation in defense-related AI and machine learning, and I’m excited to be part of that mission.

This is just the beginning of my journey at the Naval Postgraduate School, and I look forward to what’s to come—both for myself and for the greater community I now proudly belong to. Please check out the NPS Newsletter below, I am listed towards the bottom under the Who's New Section!