Leading strategic operations and continuing technical leadership in balloon navigation systems for high-altitude surveillance and research missions.

• Ensured timely completion of all company goals and objectives
• Continued leadership over balloon navigation systems development
• Strategic oversight of multimillion-dollar government contracts
• Cross-functional team coordination and business development

Led development of advanced balloon navigation systems using optimal control theory and machine learning for autonomous high-altitude operations.

• Developed high fidelity model of balloon system operating in chaotic and dynamic 3D space
• Leveraged Optimal Control Theory to develop AutoPilot system for complex nonlinear dynamic systems
• Started Machine Learning Sector for controlling balloons using classical ML and reinforcement learning
• Managed small team in development of several multimillion-dollar AFWERX/SBIR government contracts
• Led business development opportunities for humanitarian and sustainable development applications
• Conducted scientific studies into trends in wind behavior, historical shifts, and forecasting accuracies

Developed custom balloon flight simulators and analysis tools for mission planning and company expansion.

• Modeled Balloon Flight Behavior by creating Custom Simulator using large wind and geographical datasets
• Created tool for analyzing flight viability of any location in the US based on Wind and Geographical Conditions
• Developed proprietary software for upcoming company expansion initiatives
• Provided government contracting support for Phase 1 and 2 SBIR proposals

Advanced spacecraft mission planning and orbital mechanics analysis for space-based intelligence systems.

• Developed tools for fully customizable space-based simulator including high fidelity multibody transfer
• Implemented optimization algorithms solving complex orbital transfers with up to 60% reductions in fuel costs
• Leveraged Machine Learning to eliminate costly planning procedures, achieving 98% faster flight planning
• Presented work to over 200 Applied Machine Learning Experts
• Led small team in simulation and modeling for intelligent space agent decision-making
• Specialized in Cis-Lunar and N-body Orbits and Transfers research

Harvard University

GPA: 3.945/4.0

Harvard University

GPA: Major GPA: 4.0/4.0

Seasonal and geographic viability of high altitude balloon navigation

D. Brown, M. Linz, J. Leidich • Nature Scientific Reports • 2024

Comprehensive analysis of global wind patterns and their impact on high-altitude balloon navigation capabilities.

The Goldilocks zone for high altitude balloon navigation

D. Brown, M. Linz, J. Leidich • Nature Communications Earth & Environment • 2024

Identifies optimal atmospheric conditions and altitude ranges where high-altitude balloons achieve maximum navigation control authority.

Flight Safety of launching a high altitude balloon through airspace

D. Brown, et al. • Pre Print • 2024

Safety analysis and risk assessment framework for high-altitude balloon operations in controlled airspace.

Harvard University

Prestigious award recognizing outstanding undergraduate thesis work in Applied Mathematics.

Harvard University

Merit-based scholarship recognizing academic excellence and potential for leadership.

Harvard Business School

Selective fellowship program supporting technology innovation and entrepreneurship.