Abstract: The discipline of systems engineering is simultaneously seeing a transformation of practice and reinvigorated calls for theoretical foundations, which bolsters the need for constructing a bridge between theory and practice. Despite rich theoretical history, the discipline of systems engineering has relatively low maturity compared to other engineering disciplines. For example, finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics are used for the more mature mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering disciplines. This seminar discusses some of the theoretical needs for systems engineering and the conduct of research toward unveiling practical implications. Specifically, this seminar focuses on the conditions for defining verification models, which exposes current heuristic assumptions through science-based approach that is grounded in the systems theoretic lineage of A. Wayne Wymore. The implications of this research strengthen the maturity of the discipline of systems engineering and go beyond verification to areas such as validation, cognition, and artificial intelligence as well as underpinning the digital transformation with rich theoretical foundations.

Bio:  Dr. Paul Wach is a Research Assistant Faculty with the Intelligent Systems Division of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute. His research interests include the intersection of theoretical foundations of systems engineering, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Wach was the President and Founder of the Virginia Tech student division of INCOSE. He is also associated with The Aerospace Corporation, serving as a subject matter expert on digital transformation. Dr. Wach has prior work experience is with the Department of Energy in lead engineering and management roles ranging in magnitude from $1-12B as well as work experience with two National Laboratories and the medical industry. He received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina, and Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.

This seminar series is sponsored by Purdue’s School of Industrial Engineering.