Costello III, Donald "Bucket"
Director of Test and Evaluation of Autonomous Systems
MATRIX Lab
Dr. Donald “Bucket” Costello is an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the Director of Test and Evaluation of Autonomous Systems at the University of Maryland (UMD) Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab. His research focuses on autonomous systems and how to certify them. His work is making important strides toward a broader use of autonomy.
Previously, Costello spent time as a naval aviator, engineering test pilot, and military professor at the U.S. Naval Academy. In the past, he has been stationed at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, right down the street from the MATRIX Lab. Costello received his PhD in mechanical engineering from UMD.
In addition to his numerous journal publications, his peer reviewed conference papers have been highlighted at several events, including the International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, AIAA Science and Technology Forum, and IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
He is the recipient of the Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Group Award for 2024 and the Individual Engineer award for 2021. Additionally, he is the recipient of the International Test and Evaluation Association 2021 Publication Award. His military decorations include individual, unit, and campaign awards that are a tribute to the men and women he has served with.
He is also a member of several organizations, including the International Test and Evaluation Association, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and the Society of Flight Test Engineers.
2026-Pres: Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland [Graduate Certificate in Development and Certification of Autonomous Systems (DCAS)]
2021-2024: Assistant Professor, Permanent Military Professor, Weapons Robotics and Control Engineering Department, U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD (7 Sections)
2019: NC PACE Instructor, Central Texas College (CTC), Deployed on CVN-74 (1 Section)
2006-Pres: Adjunct Associate Professor, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Worldwide (100+ Sections)