PNNL

Theodore (Ted) Nowak joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2019 and has worked on field robotics, machine learning, and is part of the Distributed Sensing Research Team at Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory in PNNL-Sequim. As a senior data scientist, he leads and conducts research in these fields on questions including autonomous navigation, sensing, and docking of marine autonomous systems; informed autonomy on unmanned aerial systems; object tracking in multi-camera and non-image sensors; adversarial machine learning in three-dimensional (3-D) scenes; and distributed remote sensing in remote, field environments. In addition to his research, he also supports field installations and operations at PNNL-Sequim as a scientific scuba diver, conducts science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach at local events as a STEM ambassador, and has previously served on IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) committees, contributing to artificial intelligence (AI) ethics policy.

As a scientist, Nowak seeks to leverage advancements in robotics and machine learning to enhance human curiosity, understanding, and appreciation of remote, field environments.

• Field robotics
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Computer vision
• Environmental monitoring
• Embedded systems and machine learning
• Distributed and remote sensing
• Marine engineering

•    MS in robotics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
•    BS in electrical engineering, Case Western Reserve University
 

•    STEM Ambassador, local events and chapters, 2020–Present
•    Deep Learning Workshop Instructor, 2020–2022
•    AI Ethics Certification and Standards Developer, IEEE-SA, 2020–2022
 

•    Nominated for Scientist and Engineer Development Program, PNNL, 2021 and 2023
•    Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2023
•    Exceptional Contribution Award, PNNL, 2020 and 2021
•    Nominated for Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize for Outstanding Engineering Graduate Student Instructor, Robotics Institute, University of Michigan, 2017
 

2023

• Craig, J., J. Andle, T. S. Nowak, and S. Y. Sekeh. 2023. “A Theoretical Perspective on Subnetwork Contributions to Adversarial Robustness.” ArXiv abs/2307.03803.

2018

• Nowak, T. S., and J. J. Corso. 2018. “Deep Net Triage: Assessing the Criticality of Network Layers by Structural Compression.” ArXiv abs/1801.04651.

2015

• Ladas, T. P., C.-C. Chiang, L. E. Gonzalez-Reyes, T. Nowak, and D. M. Durand. 2015. “Seizure Reduction through Interneuron-Mediated Entrainment Using Low Frequency Optical Stimulation.” Experimental Neurology 269: 120-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.04.001.