Dr. Raymond Highsmith Executive Director NIUST
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-5479
Dr. Highsmith became the Executive Director of the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST i), a partnership between the Universities of Mississippi and Southern Mississippi in 2005. NIUST has an executive office and three divisions: Ocean Biotechnology Center and Repository, Seabed Technology Research Center and the Undersea Vehicle Technology Center (located at USM). The annual budget for NIUST is typically $4.5 million to $5.5 million. Highsmith also directs UM’s Center for Water & Wetland Resources and the 740-acre UM Field Station.

Dr. Vernon Asper Director UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 228-688-3178
Dr. Vernon Asper is a Professor of Marine Science at the University of Southern Mississippi and the Director of the Undersea Vehicle Technology Center of NIUST, the National Institute of Undersea Science and Technology. While not working with the AUV, Vernon works in Antarctica where he studies the carbon budget of the Southern Ocean in collaboration with scientists from many institutions from around the world. You can find out more about Vernon at: http://www.marine.usm.edu/faculty/vernon_asper.php

Dr. Arne-R. Diercks AUV Manager UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-2301
Dr. Arne-R. Diercks is the AUV Manager of NIUST He is responsible for the overall operation, project management, cruise planning and general logistics of NIUST's AUV fleet. During his graduate work in the mid 1990's he designed and operated his own autonomous undersea vehicle during his work at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Max Woosley Electronic Engineer UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-2302
Max Woolsey is the Electronic Engineer of the team. He is in charge of the newest addition to NIUST's fleet of undersea vehicles, a SeaBED AUV. He is responsible for software development and all aspects of electronic systems integration on the AUV's.

Roy Jarnagin AUV Systems Engineer UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-2304
Roy Jarnagin has recently joined the UVTC and brings more than 20 years of experience with electronic systems including hardware and firmware design. Just before coming onboard he completed an extended period of graduate studies which resulted in a trio of MS degrees, the last one in Ocean Engineering with concentration in marine vehicle systems. He works closely with Max Woolsey on development and integration of mechanical, electronic, and software aspects of the undersea vehicles and support systems.

Dr. Leonardo Macelloni Geophysicist UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-7320
Dr. Leonardo Macelloni is the resident geophysicist responsible for the processing and interpretation of the acquired multibeam data. His main office is at the Mississippi Minerals Research Institute (MMRI).

Matt Lowe Mechanical Systems Engineer UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-281-8460
Matt Lowe is a Mechanical Systems Engineer reponsible for the groups mechanical equipment needs. He designs, builds and operates marine shipboard equipment. He is handling the launch and recovery operations of the AUV. Any mechanical repairs or additions to the systems hardware are handled by him and Andy before, during and after cruises. His main office is at MMRI.

Jeff Williams AUV Systems Engineer UVTC
[javascript protected email address] 662-915-5479
Jeff Williams is the AUV Systems Engineer contracted by the University of Southern Mississippi and has been responsible for Software and Systems Management of the Eagle Ray AUV for five years. With a BSEE degree and 20 years of experience in computer and custom integrated circuit design, he brings a strong working knowledge of computers, operating systems, embedded processors, and systems integration to Team AUV.