Industry Open House

The MATRIX Lab is organizing its first Industry Open House on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at the USMSM SMART Building to showcase the Lab’s advanced research and testing capabilities in autonomy, robotics, and advanced manufacturing to both small and large enterprises.

Sponsored by HII Mission Technologies, the event will highlight how industry, academia, and government can collaborate through MATRIX Lab to accelerate innovation, transition technologies, and strengthen the regional ecosystem supporting Navy and DoD priorities. By convening Navy leadership, funding agencies, and industry innovators in one forum, MATRIX aims to catalyze partnerships that accelerate the development, test, and transition of next-generation autonomous and manufacturing technologies.

All are welcome to attend this free event and learn how to collaborate with the University of Maryland and the MATRIX Lab.

Agenda is evolving and is subject to change

Time	Event	Speaker(s)
8:00 a.m.	Registration & Breakfast	===
9:00 a.m.	Welcome & Opening Remarks	Reza Ghodssi Distinguished University Professor Executive Director of Research and Innovation, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland John Bell Chief Technology Officer for HII’s Mission Technologies Division HII
Morning Session Focus: Providing startups and small businesses with the resources, networks, and funding insights needed to scale
9:15 a.m.	Morning Keynote: "The Asymmetric Advantage" In an era of rapidly evolving threats and technological disruption, innovation can come from unexpected places. This keynote will explore how small businesses, emerging technologies, and autonomous systems are reshaping the defense landscape, creating asymmetric advantages that enable faster adaptation and greater operational effectiveness. Attendees will gain insight into why agility, creativity, and nontraditional partnerships are becoming critical factors in maintaining a competitive edge in future conflicts.	TBA
10:00 a.m.	Break	===
10:15 a.m.	Fireside Chat: "From Idea to Impact" Every successful innovation has a starting point - a challenge to solve, a collaborative spark, and a shared path toward real-world impact. In this fireside chat, HII will share its strategic vision for building a robust innovation ecosystem through powerful partnerships across small businesses, large enterprises, and academic institutions like UMD. Discover how HII leverages these diverse collaborations to accelerate the Science & Technology (S&T) pipeline and cultivate the next generation of mission-ready talent. Attendees will gain actionable, realistic insights into how bridging industry, government, and academia can drive technological breakthroughs, scale capability, and create sustainable opportunities for future growth.	Moderator Matt Scassero Former Director of Research, Innovation, and Outreach, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland Panelist John Bell Chief Technology Officer for HII’s Mission Technologies Division HII
11:00 a.m.	Morning Panel: "The University Advantage" Innovation often begins with a conversation, but turning great ideas into funded partnerships requires knowing how to navigate the regional and federal ecosystem. This panel provides a practical roadmap for small businesses looking to collaborate with universities and research institutions, including the University of Maryland and the MATRIX Lab. Attendees will discover key mechanisms for accessing specialized federal funding like SBIR/STTR programs, identifying state economic development resources, and tapping into commercialization pipelines via university incubators and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Ultimately, this session will equip small businesses and defense contractors with a clear, actionable blueprint to leverage state, federal, and university assets to accelerate innovation and drive commercial growth.	Moderator Jamison Watson Assistant Director for Research Development, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland Panelists Lora Brown Executive Director, Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Programs University of Maryland Rob Cohen Program Manager, Mtech Ventures University of Maryland Lee Greely Senior Business Development Manager - Southern Maryland Maryland Department of Commerce Rick Tarr Director, Technology Transfer Office Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Colin Wilkinson SBIR/STTR Technical Lead Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
11:45 a.m.	Lunch, Open House (Posters)	===
Afternoon Session Focus: Exploring how large enterprises, defense primes, and government sponsors can invest in advanced research projects, align internal research & development, and successfully pursue major contract and funding opportunities
1:00 p.m.	Afternoon Keynote: "Delivering at Scale" As defense challenges grow in complexity and urgency, the ability to deliver capability at scale has become a defining measure of success. This keynote will examine the integration, acquisition, and transition priorities that shape how government sponsors and industry partners move emerging technologies from concept to operational impact. Attendees will gain insight into the strategies, partnerships, and organizational approaches needed to accelerate capability delivery while meeting the demands of today's acquisition environment.	Stephen Cricchi Deputy Commander Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
1:45 p.m.	Afternoon Panel: "Building the Dream Team" Successful delivery of advanced capabilities depends on more than strong technical execution - it requires durable partnerships that align industry, academia, and government priorities. This panel will explore how prime contractors, research universities, and government stakeholders can build strategic, long-term collaborations that strengthen proposals, accelerate innovation, and develop the next generation of talent. Panelists will discuss teaming models, workforce development, co-investment strategies, and institutional frameworks that reduce barriers to collaboration and create lasting value across the defense ecosystem.	Moderator Jamison Watson Assistant Director for Research Development, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland Panelists Jim Bolin Vice President, Operations KBR Nicole Goldman Vice President, Talent Acquisition & HR Service Center for HII’s Mission Technologies Division HII Anthony Malatesta Director of Engineering Education and Research Partnerships Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Julie Marble Mission Manager for Autonomous Systems, Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security University of Maryland John Sawyer Director of Strategic Research Initiatives University of Maryland
2:30 p.m.	Wrapup	Jamison Watson Assistant Director for Research Development, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland
2:45 p.m.	Reception (Tours, Posters, Demonstrations)	===

John Bell Chief Technology Officer for HII’s Mission Technologies Division HII	Anthony Malatesta Director of Engineering Education and Research Partnerships Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
Jim Bolin (confirmed) Vice President, Operations KBR	Julie Marble (confirmed) Mission Manager for Autonomous Systems, Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security University of Maryland
Lora Brown Executive Director, Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Programs University of Maryland	John Sawyer Director of Strategic Research Initiatives University of Maryland
Rob Cohen Program Manager, Mtech Ventures University of Maryland	Matt Scassero Former Director of Research, Innovation, and Outreach, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland
Stephen Cricchi Deputy Commander Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)	Rick Tarr Director, Technology Transfer Office Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
Reza Ghodssi Distinguished University Professor Executive Director of Research and Innovation, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland	Jamison Watson Assistant Director for Research Development, A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab University of Maryland
Nicole Goldman Vice President, Talent Acquisition & HR Service Center for HII’s Mission Technologies Division HII	Colin Wilkinson SBIR/STTR Technical Lead Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Lee Greely Senior Business Development Manager - Southern Maryland Maryland Department of Commerce

The MATRIX Lab invites poster submissions for the Industry Open House on Wednesday, July 15. Presenters are encouraged to stand with their posters during lunch (11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and again for the open house portion of the event (starting at 2:45 p.m.).

This session is an opportunity to showcase the breadth of current research that aligns with the MATRIX Lab's priorities and engage with industry, as well as MATRIX Lab affiliate faculty and their students and staff. Submissions may represent ongoing work, recent results or emerging research directions.

MATRIX will be covering the cost of printing the posters.

Learn more and submit your poster.

Location and Directions

USMSM SMART Building
44219 Airport Road
California, MD 20619

The MATRIX Lab has put together PDF directions to USMSM and the SMART Building for those visiting from Annapolis, Md.; from Virginia via the 301 Harry Nice Bridge, and from the I-495 Washington Beltway.

You also can view the location and get directions from your location on Google Maps.

Ample, free parking is available onsite at the SMART Building (Building 3). There are also parking spots around Buildings 1 and 2 on the USMSM campus.

Shuttle

The MATRIX Lab will be providing a shuttle from College Park to USMSM and back for the Open House on July 15.

If you plan to use the shuttle, please email MATRIX team member Harold Pittenger at hpitteng@umd.edu.

Timing

Please note: Pickup and Dropoff timing may change slightly

Pickup/Dropoff	Time
Pickup at University of Maryland, College Park	6:45 a.m. on July 15
Dropoff at USMSM SMART Building in California, MD	8:00 a.m. on July 15
Depart from SMART Building for College Park	4:45 p.m. on July 15
Arrive in College Park	6:30 p.m. on July 15

Location

Guests will be picked up at the University of Maryland, College Park campus off Engineering Drive, next to the Kim Building. See Google Maps pin

Guests will be dropped off in front of the USMSM SMART Building. Guests will be picked back up from this same location to head back to College Park.

The University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab

Email

matrix@umd.edu

Phone

301-226-6033

Address

44219 Airport Road
Building 3 (SMART Building)
California, MD 20619

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