This event is invite-only. Please reach out to Tyler Saleck at [email protected] if you would like to attend.
Connecting Innovators in National Security
The FutureG Office within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), alongside the Government of Finland, is co-hosting the two-day International ISAC Innovation Forum. The forum will be dedicated to discussing the collective opportunities and challenges in developing and adopting ISAC capabilities. Likewise, this forum will provide a collaborative environment for policymakers, technical experts, and industry leaders to identify complementary capabilities across nations and better align our strategic priorities and technology development efforts – leading towards rapid development of innovative solutions that are interoperable and resilient
Why Attend?
Our Purpose
In late 2023, the FutureG Office established Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) as a new strategic line of effort. This focus reflects:
- The growing body of theoretical and applied work showing the feasibility of using communication signals for sensing.
- The anticipated inclusion of ISAC capabilities in 6G standards.
- Significant global investments in ISAC by other nation states.
In 2025, the ISAC Strategy Summit brought together experts from commercial industry, government, and academia to:
- Establish a community of ISAC practitioners.
- Provide technical analysis and collateral materials for a U.S. ISAC strategy in both commercial and defense sectors.
The strong interest from partner nations in ISAC and related US Government efforts suggested the utility in convening the International ISAC Innovation Forum. Together with Business Finland and VTT, we seek to discover areas of mutual interest to advance the state of the art and state of the practice of ISAC and its related topics.
GMU is a leading research institution supporting innovation at the intersection of engineering, security, and advanced communications. Through initiatives like the ISAC Summit, GMU convenes experts across domains to drive forward U.S. leadership in critical technologies.
Event Schedule
Agenda
| Time (EST) | Event | Duration | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Breakfast | 1H | |
| 9:00 | Plenary | 3H | Administrative & Welcome Remarks Senior Leadership Remarks (from senior U.S. and Finnish officials) Session 1: Vision of ISAC in Our Future Break Session 2: Frameworks and Perspectives on International Cooperation Session 3: Transforming Industries, Commercialization, and Market Development |
| 12:00 | Lunch | 1H 30M | Opportunity to network |
| 13:30 | Technical Sessions | 3H | Keynote Session 4: Transforming Defense and Government Break Session 5: Spectrum Policy and Regulatory Alignment |
| 15:45 | Close Out Discussion | 15M | |
| 17:30 | Networking: Finland-Led Reception | 2H | Location: Embassy of the Republic of Finland at 3301 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Time (EST) | Event | Duration | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Breakfast | 1H | |
| 9:00 | Technical Sessions | 3H | Day 1 Summary Industry Plenary Talk Break Session 6: ISAC Enabling Technologies Session 7: Interoperability and Opportunities with OCUDU |
| 12:00 | Lunch | 1H 30M | Opportunity to network |
| 13:30 | Technical Sessions | 3H | Keynote Session 8: Joint R&D and Innovation Ecosystems Break Session 9: Workforce and Talent Development Next Steps |
Event Location
The Fuse at Mason Square
(Day 1-2)
3401 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
Embassy of the Republic of Finland
(Thursday Reception)
3301 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Speakers & Panelists
Mr. Jesús Abraham
Defense & Security Innovation Director
Telefónica
Mr. Jesús Abraham
Defense & Security Innovation Director at Telefónica
Mr. Jesús Abraham is a Spanish Navy LTCDR working under “special services” at Telefónica as “Defense & Security Innovation Director”. Jesús joined the Navy in 2003 and has been deployed in naval operations several times fighting against terrorism, piracy, smuggling or human trafficking among others then being condecorated. He has already participated in two of the most prominent scientific campaigns in Spain, “Malaspina Expedition” and the Antarctic campaign. Specialized in IT by the Spanish Navy, and with an MBA by International University of La Rioja, Jesús incorporated to Telefónica in 2021 where he serves up to now.
Dr. Ertugrul Basar
Head of the Wireless Systems Group
Tampere Wireless Research Center
Dr. Ertugrul Basar
Head of the Wireless Systems Group at Tampere Wireless Research Center, Professor of Wireless Systems at Tampere University, Finland
Prof. Ertugrul Basar is Professor of Wireless Systems at Tampere University, Finland, and Head of the Wireless Systems Group under the Tampere Wireless Research Center. He received his B.S. degree with High Honors from Istanbul University in 2007, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Istanbul Technical University in 2009 and 2013, respectively. Before joining Tampere University, he held faculty positions at Koc University and Istanbul Technical University, and visiting positions at Princeton University and Ruhr University Bochum. His research focuses on 6G and beyond wireless systems, multi-antenna communications, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, waveform design, integrated sensing and communications, physical layer security, quantum-enabled communications, and AI-assisted signal processing for communications. He has published more than 200 journal articles, received around 20,000 citations, and is the inventor of 17 pending/granted patents. Prof. Basar is an IEEE Fellow and the recipient of several prestigious research awards, including the IEEE ComSoc EMEA Best Young Researcher Award.
Dr. Daniel W. Bliss
President and CEO
DASH Tech Integrated Circuits, Inc
Dr. Daniel W. Bliss
Motorola Endowed Professor at Arizona State University in the School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering; the Director of ASU’s Center for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures (WISCA); and the President and CEO of DASH Tech Integrated Circuits, Inc
Daniel W. Bliss (Fellow of the IEEE) is the Motorola Endowed Professor at Arizona State University in the School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering; the Director of ASU’s Center for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures (WISCA); and the President and CEO of DASH Tech Integrated Circuits, Inc. Dan received the 2021 IEEE Warren D. White Award for Excellence in Radar Engineering. He has published two textbooks on communications systems and more than 250 technical articles. He is responsible for foundational work in adaptive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar, MIMO communications, electronic protection, distributed-coherent systems, simultaneous transmit and receive systems (in-band full duplex), and RF convergence (now known as ISAC). To enable implementation of these advanced systems, he has led multiple domain-specific coarse-scale heterogeneous system-on-chip (SoC) development programs. Dan has served as Principal Investigator on numerous projects including sponsored programs with DARPA, ONR, Google, Airbus, Space Force, and many others. Before joining ASU, Dan was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory (1997-2012). Dan received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from the University of California at San Diego (1997 and 1995), and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from ASU (1989). His doctoral work (1993-1997) was on high-energy particle physics and lattice-gauge-theory calculations. Between his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Dan was employed by General Dynamics (1989-1993), where he designed avionics for the Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle and performed magnetic field optimization for high-energy particle-accelerator superconducting magnets.
Ms. Sarah P. Campbell
Associate Vice President of Research for Defense & Security
George Mason University
PI and Moderator
Dr. Sarah P. Campbell
Associate Vice President of Research for Defense & Security, and Head of Special Projects at George Mason University
Sarah Campbell is the Associate Vice President of Research for Defense & Security, and Head of Special Projects at George Mason University. In this role she is responsible for organizing and elevating the various defense and security research initiatives on campus to enhance the university’s research profile. Sarah works closely with the VPR and university leadership as well as the respective academic units to identify university-wide applied research goals, key resource needs, and funding sources to support defense and security programs at Mason. She also directly leads operations on behalf of the VPR with a shared goal to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness, enhance GMU’s ability to scale research and build infrastructure and improve risk management and compliance.
In 2004 she joined Future Technologies Ventures, LLC as an advisory board member. Future Technologies Venture, LLC is a North American wireless solutions provider with a longstanding history in providing wireless networks to Industrial, Enterprise and Military customers, dating back over 25 years.
Sarah was previously the Chief of Staff at the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland, College Park, (one of the 15 DoD sponsored University Affiliated Research Centers UARC) and Principal Faculty member since 2020. In this role she administered and established consistent processes and information flow to manage all aspects of ARLIS research and operations for the UARC, helping to launch ARLIS as one the fastest growing DoD UARCs in the country with 240 employees and over $140 million in active contracts.
From 2020 to June 2022 Ms. Campbell served on IPA assignment from ARLIS at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) Research component as the Director for Strategic Partnerships & Communications. As a senior leader, Sarah led all efforts related to strategic communications, outreach, legislative affairs, and international affairs on behalf of NGA Research. She spearheaded the first technology accelerator program for NGA, created to fund, mentor, and accelerate the next generation of geospatial technologies, and worked to establish the agency’s first Education Partnership Agreement with a Historically Black College and University.
Prior to UMD, Ms. Campbell was a Senior Program Manager for SAIC, providing strategic support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OSD USD R&E). In this role she helped support and execute legislative and public affairs long range strategic plans across the newly established Research and Engineering enterprise. Ms. Campbell also served as lead for the Office of International Cooperation at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 2012-2017. At DARPA she helped to execute the agency’s international cooperation engagement in areas of interest, as well as assist and advise on critical bilateral and multilateral relationships and agreements with foreign partners across the globe. Ms. Campbell also supported the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in various capacities to include the Research and Development Enterprise, Office of International Cooperation, where she helped lead the first DoD S&T bilateral workshop and Chemical/Biological project agreement with India in 2010. She began her career as a public policy analyst with Austin-based geopolitical publishing firm, Strategic Forecasting (Stratfor), where she helped communicate and advise Fortune 500 companies on public policy and geopolitical risk.
Ms. Campbell received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Mary Washington, and her master’s degree in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University, Schar School of Policy & Government. Ms. Campbell is a 2015 AILA Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC.
Mr. Adam Cassady
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Mr. Adam Cassady
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Mr. Adam Cassady was appointed as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on March 16, 2025. In this capacity, he provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information in the formulation, development, and implementation of telecommunications and information policies of the Executive Branch.
Prior to his appointment at NTIA, Mr. Cassady served for over four years at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for Commissioner Nathan Simington. Most recently, Mr. Cassady served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Simington, and prior to that as Commissioner Simington’s Senior Legal Advisor, managing a variety of telecommunications and technology portfolios.
Prior to joining the FCC, Cassady co-founded a technology firm focused on delivering enterprise machine learning solutions. He holds a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.
Adam was recently nominated by the President to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the U.S. Department of State, pending the advice and consent of the Senate.
Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi
Principal Fellow at SoftBank
Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance
Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi
Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance
Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi, a South Korean luminary in the global mobile telecommunications
sector, boasts over three decades of industry experience. Currently, Dr. Choi is working at
SoftBank Corp. and continues to champion innovation at the intersection of AI, mobile
technology, and network architecture. He is also currently the Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance. He
is dedicated to advancing technology frontiers, crafting strategies that enhance both business
and consumer experiences, and guiding the industry towards a more connected, intelligent,
and open future.
Mr. Kuntal Chowdhury
AI-RAN and 6G Developer Relations Manager
NVDIA
Mr. Kuntal Chowdhury
Board Member of ATIS and the AI-RAN Alliance, Chair of Technical Steering Committee.
A futurist and visionary executive with over 30 years of deep-tech experience, Mr. Chowdhury possess a diverse expertise spanning Artificial Intelligence, Cloud-Native Platforms, Sensor Fusion, and Wireless technologies. Grounded by an engineering foundation that has yielded over 100 patents, Mr. Chowdhury currently drives the convergence of AI and 6G computing, developing AI-native RAN and digital twin simulation engines leveraging NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform. He actively shapes the industry’s trajectory as a Board Member of ATIS and the AI-RAN Alliance, where he also chairs the Technical Steering Committee.
A serial entrepreneur and strategic leader, Mr. Chowdhury’s career is defined by translating early-stage technologies into market realities. He founded vRAN pioneer Altiostar, an AI sensor-fusion startup BlueFusion, and led cloud-native AI applications as SVP & GM at Mavenir. His strategic footprint includes tenures as Director of Strategy at Cisco Systems and VP of Standards & Technology at Starent Networks where he was an early employee. Ever focused on the horizon, his intellectual pursuits extend into the adjacent frontier fields of Space, Fusion Energy, Quantum Computing, and Autonomous Vehicles.
Mr. Chris Christou
Senior Vice President
Booz Allen
Mr. Chris Christou
Senior Vice President of Booz Allen
An executive in Booz Allen’s Chief Technology Office (CTO), Mr. Christou leads the Edge/NextG core tech business area. This involves leading the development of Edge Cloud, IoT, and NextG solutions, the Booz Allen state of the art AI Native Wireless Innovation facility, and the delivery of Edge and NextG related projects across multiple markets, including DoD, U.S. Federal, and commercial. In his role, Mr. Christou leads the development of state-of-the-art AI native RAN technologies and edge cloud/IoT solutions to extend cloud services to small form factor products. Mr. Christou currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC).
Chris has over 25 years of experience engineering, designing, testing, and deploying cloud environments, networks, and IT systems for commercial, civilian, and defense clients. Since joining Booz Allen in 2002, he has led projects related to the deployment of secure cloud environments, the design of software-defined networks (SDN), the engineering of enterprise-wide IT systems, and the integration of unified communications systems. Before joining Booz Allen, Chris was a network design and planning engineer for UUNet, which was then the largest internet backbone in the world. Prior to UUNET, Chris worked as a telecommunications engineer for Mitretek Systems and a software developer for Hughes/Raytheon STX.
Chris earned a M.S. degree in Telecommunications and a Graduate Certificate in Engineering from the University of Maryland School of Engineering, College Park. He earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and has completed coursework in computer science at the University of Pennsylvania. Chris holds Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Juniper, TMF, and SDN certifications.
Mr. Charles E. Cockrell
Director of Engineering, Test, and Evaluation
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation
Mr. Charles E. Cockrell
Director, Engineering, Test, and Evaluation Division of Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC)
Charles Cockrell is currently the Director of Engineering, Test, and Evaluation at Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, leading advanced wireless communications and sensing for public and private sector stakeholders, leveraging capabilities in spectrum, ORAN, Next-G networks, systems engineering, laboratory testing, and field campaigns.
Previously, Charles enjoyed a 35-year career at NASA, serving in various senior executive service roles, including the Director of Engineering at NASA Langley Research Center and Associate Center Director for Strategy at NASA Glenn Research Center. Mr. Cockrell’s career started at NASA in 1990, spanning work in hypersonic flight vehicles, human spaceflight, planetary entry systems, and remote sensing satellite systems.
Mr. Cockrell earned a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and a M.S. degree in Aeronautics from George Washington University. He completed executive development programs at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Dr. Brenda Connor
Senior Technical Managing Director
Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI)
Dr. Brenda Connor
Senior Technical Managing Director for the Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI)
Brenda Connor, PhD, CISSP, has a dual appointment at Texas Tech University as Professor of Practice in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and as Senior Technical Managing Director for the Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI). Dr. Connor joined TTU in Jan 2025 after a 30-year career with Ericsson. Her focus is on applied research to accelerate the critical infrastructure operator’s business case for 5G/xG provided by AI enabled security and operational efficiency via open Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), work force automations, and SCADA automations in remote rural environments with dual use relevance for DOW. Connor received the TTU 2025 Most Disruptive Technology Award. She leads collaborative research involving academia, industry and government and uses leading edge research to shape her Telecommunication Networks for Critical Infrastructure curriculum. Research informed workforce development is her goal.
Dr. Heidi Himmanen
Chief Advisor
Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Dr. Ertugrul Basar
Chief Adviser at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Dr. Heidi Himmanen is a Chief Adviser at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. She is Vice Chair of the EU Radio Spectrum Policy Group and has been co-chairing the work on 6G spectrum roadmap. In the International Telecommunications Union she is involved in policy topics, e.g. related to mobile and satellite networks, and has participated in developing IMT-2030 in the ITU-R. Within Traficom she coordinates the international activities on electronic communications and leads the mobile networks team. Her task include promoting uptake of 5G and 6G in different sectors of society, supporting trials, innovation, and R&D, and bridging the needs of industries and verticals and the development work in spectrum management.
Dr. Himmanen has previously worked as Head of Spectrum Supervision and Head of the Radio Networks Unit at the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (today Traficom). She holds a D. Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Turku, Finland, and an M. Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology (today Aalto University), Finland.
Dr. Roozbeh Jafari
Program Manager
DARPA
Dr. Roozbeh Jafari
Program Manager at DARPA
Roozbeh Jafari, Ph.D., joined DARPA in July 2025 as a program manager in the Biological Technologies Office. His research interests include digital health technologies, wearable computing, biomedical signal processing, and AI-driven physiological sensing systems.
Before joining DARPA, Jafari was principal staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and research affiliate at MIT’s Laboratory for Information & Decision Systems and Microsystems Technology Laboratories. He joined MIT from Texas A&M where he was the Tim and Amy Leach Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and in the School of Engineering Medicine. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. His laboratory developed groundbreaking technologies including smart rings, smart watches and e-tattoos for continuous cardiovascular monitoring, cuffless blood pressure sensing systems, and precision medicine digital twins.
He has secured over $89M in external funding as principal investigator or co-investigator from agencies including National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Defense. Jafari has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles and holds multiple patents in wearable health technologies.
He has mentored more than 25 graduate students and received multiple honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, Federal Communications Commission Chairman’s Award for Advancement in Accessibility and several best paper awards. He served as inaugural chair of the NIH Clinical Informatics and Digital Health study section and holds editorial positions at premier journals including npj Digital Medicine and IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics.
He is a fellow of the IEEE and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).
Mr. Tyrell Junius
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Tiami Networks
Mr. Tyrell Junius
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Tiami Networks
Tyrell Junius is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Tiami Networks, where he leads commercialization and operational strategy for next-generation Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) technologies. His work focuses on translating advanced wireless research into deployable capabilities for defense, government, and critical infrastructure, with particular emphasis on passive sensing, RF exploitation, and AI-enabled situational awareness.
Junius brings a multidisciplinary background spanning national security, international policy, and deep technology. Prior to co-founding Tiami, he served as Associate Director at the Atlantic Council Africa Center, where he worked at the intersection of economic development, geopolitics, and emerging technology strategy. His experience also includes public-sector engagement, international development work, and entrepreneurship across U.S. and African markets.
He graduated from the NSIN Foundry program, where Tiami Networks originated as a defense-focused technology spinout and secured early-stage government funding.
At Tiami, Junius actively advances ISAC deployment concepts aligned with DoW priorities, including passive radar sensing using 5G/6G signals of opportunity, distributed edge intelligence, and resilient sensing architectures for contested environments. His work directly supports emerging operational needs in counter-UAS, edge autonomous systems, spectrum awareness, and all-domain sensing.
Junius holds an MBA focused on strategy and finance and is a returned Peace Corps volunteer. He continues to engage in national security innovation ecosystems, contributing to the transition of dual-use technologies from research to operational capability.
Mr. Marlan Macklin
Deputy Principal Director for FutureG
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
Mr. Marlan Macklin
Deputy Principal Director for FutureG
Mr. Marlan Macklin is the Deputy Principal Director for FutureG within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). The FutureG Office guides U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) research, funding, and execution of programs that develop capabilities leveraging 5G and future generation wireless technologies. In his current position, Mr. Macklin is responsible for ensuring the office’s strategic alignment, providing program execution oversight, and overseeing budget execution.
Prior to joining OUSD(R&E), Mr. Macklin served in the U.S. Mission to NATO as Chief of the Communications & Electronics Division and Deputy to the Director for Armaments, Communications & Electronics. The directorate provided technical and political-military advice to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, the Secretary of Defense Representative in Europe, and DoD leadership for equities including acquisition, C3, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Dr. Anton Monk
Senior Vice President of Strategy
Cohere Technologies
Dr. Anton Monk
Senior Vice President of Strategy at Cohere Technologies
Dr. Monk is Senior Vice President of Strategy at Cohere Technologies, driving technology strategy and industry, government and academic outreach and partnerships, and co-authored the first paper on OTFS. Previously, Dr. Monk was VP and CTO of Wireless Initiatives at Viasat, a global satellite operator, where he drove cellular, fixed wireless and direct-to-cell initiatives, working at the intersection of technology, spectrum policy, and business partnerships. He was a co-founder & held the roles of VP & CTO of Entropic Communications, a formerly publicly traded semiconductor company that invented the MoCA home networking solution used by Pay TV service providers for multi-room DVR throughout the U.S. Dr. Monk holds more than 35 granted patents and over 4,000 citations. Prior to co-founding Entropic he developed cable, satellite and wireless integrated circuits at Conexant and ComStream Corporation and was a researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He sits on various industry, advisory and academic boards, including ATIS, 6G@UT, and the UCSD Jacobs School Dean’s Council of Advisors.
Dr. Monk earned a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology and B.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Alain Mourad
Senior Director and Head Wireless Labs Europe
InterDigital
Dr. Alain Mourad
Senior Director and Head of Wireless Labs Europe at InterDigital
Dr. Alain Mourad is Senior Director and Head of Wireless Labs Europe at InterDigital, where he leads advanced wireless research and innovation with a strong focus on global standardisation. He actively contributes to international research and standards bodies, shaping next-generation wireless technologies. Dr. Mourad has held senior leadership roles at InterDigital, Samsung Electronics, and Mitsubishi Electric, as well as within global organisations including ETSI and WWRF. A prolific inventor and recognised thought leader, he has received multiple industry and corporate awards. He serves on the ETSI Board and chairs the ETSI ISAC Industry Specification Group. He holds engineering and doctoral degrees in telecommunications from the University of Rennes 1 and IMT Atlantique, France.
Dr. Kiran Mukkavilli
Senior Director of Engineering
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Kiran-Mukkavilli
Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Kiran Mukkavilli is a Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., within Qualcomm Wireless Research. He leads systems research for 6G, with a focus that includes Giga-MIMO, full duplex, sensing, IoT, and location technologies, spanning FR1/FR3 directions for 5G Advanced and 6G.
He joined Qualcomm in 2003 and has contributed to the design, standardization, implementation, and commercialization of numerous wireless technologies. He holds 500+ granted U.S. patents and has led major prototyping efforts, including Qualcomm’s work to establish the industry’s first end-to-end 3GPP specification-compliant 5G NR call with leading infrastructure vendors using a prototype UE implementation.
Earlier in his career, he was a principal architect of MediaFLO, Qualcomm’s mobile broadcast solution, and served as systems design lead for commercialization of the UMTS modem in Snapdragon 800/801 platforms.
Dr. Mukkavilli received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rice University and his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras
Mr. Christopher Nassif
Program Director
Mobile Network Aviation Assessment Program (MNAAP)
Mr. Christopher Nassif
Program Director at Mobile Network Aviation Assessment Program (MNAAP), Senior Scientist at USDOT Advanced Research Projects – Infrastructure (ARPA-I)
Christopher Nassif is a Senior Scientist in the USDOT Advanced Research Projects – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) office specializing in the testing and evaluation of multi-modal autonomous systems and technologies. Here he serves as the Program Director of the Mobile Network Aviation Assessment Program (MNAAP), a USDOT sponsored program to assess and evaluate the capabilities of existing mobile network technologies to support aviation safety and security needs. He formerly worked at the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, where he was the Technical Program Manager for UAS technologies, including the development of spectrum solutions for UAS communications, detection and avoidance systems testing and UAS integration methadologies. At the FAA he was also the Lead Technologist for the Presidential Integration Pilot Program (IPP), and the Program Manager for UAS Cargo Delivery Programs. He also advises on counter UAS technologies, tactics and testing, and STEM education. Before joining the FAA, Mr. Nassif was a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer managing unmanned aircraft reconnaissance operations. More recently, Christopher served as the Senior Technical Intelligence Analyst in the Test and Evaluation Branch at the Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO) countering Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIED) and developing counter-UAS tactics techniques and procedures.
Mr. Nassif has over 22 years of government and private industry experience spanning counterterrorism, strategic operations, program management, UAS operations, and international test program development. He has managed more than 30 government programs and has designed and conducted systems testing at ranges across the world while advising national labs, civil aviation authorities, and congressional leadership on domestic and international threats. He received an M.S in Unmanned Aerospace Systems from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a B.S in International Relations from Michigan State University.
Dr. Tiia Ojanperä
Senior Project Manager
TNO
Dr. Tiia Ojanperä
Senior Project Manager at TNO
Dr. Tiia Ojanperä is an experienced leader and scientist in the field of wireless communication networks and vertical applications. To date, she has over 20 years of experience from wireless communication technology R&D&I, including for example 5G/6G and their vertical applications for media, mobility, and defence. Currently, she works as a Senior Project Manager in the Networks department of TNO, The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, and leads TNO’s contribution to the Dutch National Growth Fund program 6G Future Network Services (FNS). Besides leading the whole program, TNO is active in all the program lines and in a wide range of 6G research topics in FNS. TNO’s topics include, for example, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), AI-assisted network management, 6G core network development, and building of large system demos to show the benefits of 6G for vertical applications. Furthermore, TNO plays a key role in activities aimed at supporting the valorization of the research results, such as building of the FNS National 6G Testbed and participating to 6G standardization. Prior to joining TNO in 2023, Tiia Ojanperä worked at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland for over 18 years in different roles, including a Principal Scientist and Research Team Leader of the Autonomous Systems Connectivity team as the most recent ones. Tiia Ojanperä holds a Ph.D. (Tech.) degree in Computer Science and Engineering, which she obtained from the University of Oulu, Finland in 2013, and a M.Sc. (Tech.) degree in Information Engineering, which she obtained from the same university in 2004.
About 6G Future Network Services (FNS): FNS aims for a strategic knowledge position for the Netherlands and Europe in the development and applications of the next-generation communication networks (6G). In a consortium of over 60 partners and with a budget of €315M in 2024-2030, FNS facilitates innovation in 6G networks and applications, and enables a close cooperation between companies, knowledge institutes, and the government. FNS also boosts the Dutch economy and contributes to social issues around healthcare, mobility, and energy. This is how FNS strengthens the position of the Netherlands in the global 6G value chain.
About TNO: TNO is an independent not-for-profit research organization in the Netherlands. At TNO, we create impactful innovations for the sustainable wellbeing and prosperity of society. We support the Dutch government in carrying out statutory and other government tasks in the public interest. And we help to boost the earning power of the Netherlands.
Mr. Petri Peltonen
Under-Secretary of State
Ministry of Economic
Affairs and Employment
Mr. Petri Peltonen
Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Petri Peltonen is Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. In this capacity, he oversees policy development and implementation in the sectors of industry, enterprise
and innovation as well as foreign direct investments.
Prior to taking his current position in 2016, Petri Peltonen was Director General of the Enterprise and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Technology Department at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
From 1996 to 2006, he worked at the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes), most recently as Executive Director and member of the management team. From 1987 until 1996, he held several technology development positions at the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands and in the electronics industry in Finland.
Petri Peltonen holds M.Sc. and Lic.Tech. degrees from Tampere University of Technology. He is an invited member of the Finnish Academy of Technical Sciences.
Dr. Venkatesh Ramaswamy
Distinguished Chief Technologist
MITRE
Dr. Venkatesh-Ramaswamy
Distinguished Chief Technologist for NextG at The MITRE Corporation
Venkatesh “Venki” Ramaswamy is the Distinguished Chief Technologist for NextG at The MITRE Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts, where he leads research and development in 5G/6G wireless technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and spectrum innovation. With over 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he has held technical leadership roles at top technology companies, startups, and research institutions, driving advancements in next-generation connectivity and intelligent systems.
Dr. Ramaswamy is an active member of the ATIS/Next G Alliance Research Council, contributing to the development of a comprehensive North American 6G strategy. He also serves as an industry researcher at the NSF Edge AI Institute, where he explores the integration of networking and AI to enable transformative applications like autonomous systems and smart infrastructure.
A prolific contributor to the scientific community, Dr. Ramaswamy has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, holds numerous patents, and has delivered high-profile keynotes at major conferences. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2007 and continues to push the boundaries of wireless communication and intelligent systems.
Mr. Mika Rantakokko
Connectivity Lead
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Mr. Mika Rantakokko
Connectivity Lead at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Mika Rantakokko works as a Connectivity Lead at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. He works at the forefront of secure, resilient 5G‑Advanced and 6G connectivity, combining communications and sensing to enable resilient and trusted future innovations. Mika has a long experience in international digitalisation and connectivity partnerships and programmes, actively bridging advanced research, real‑world testbeds, and deployable solutions shaping the future of secure networked systems. ISAC and promotion of collaboration in this field is one of his core areas of activities.
Mr. Pekka Rantala
Head of 6G Bridge Program
Business Finland
Mr. Pekka Rantala
Head of 6G Bridge Program at Business Finland
Motivation for Advancing International and Cross-Organizational Collaboration
My objective is to facilitate and contribute to both fundamental research as well as technology
development, demonstration, and translation initiatives focused on vertical applications. These efforts are intended to drive significant advancements in the performance and capabilities of next-generation
(NextG/5GA/6G) intelligent network systems across the user-edge-core-cloud continuum.
About Me
Mr. Pekka Rantala is the Head of Business Finland’s 6G Bridge Program. This four-year national program commenced in January 2023 with a funding budget of 130 million euros.
Business Finland’s 6G Bridge program unites Finnish research organizations, companies, and leading
industry experts to drive progress in 5G Advanced and 6G technologies and to strengthen international
collaboration. The program’s goal is to position Finland at the forefront of both 5G Advanced and 6G
development. The primary program goals will be met e.g. by:
✓ Increasing ecosystem-driven collaboration in research and innovation for 5GA/6G
✓ Building future business ecosystems in 5GA/6G and attracting international investments
✓ Strengthening the key capabilities in 5GA/6G
✓ Fostering testing and experimentation facilities in 6G
About Business Finland
Business Finland is the official government agency responsible for innovation funding, trade, travel, and investment promotion. Business Finland employs 450 specialists throughout Finland and abroad. In 2025, Business Finland granted a total of ca. 1,1 billion euros in funding for research, development, and innovation (RDI) purposes.
Mr. Raymond Shen
Chief Solutions Architect, Defense Comms
Keysight Technologies
Dr. Raymond Shen
Chief Solutions Architect, Defense Comms at Keysight Technologies
Dr. Raymond Shen has deep expertise spanning spectrum operations, signals intelligence, and advanced test and evaluation, while working at the intersection of national security, critical infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
Dr. Shen brings a systems-level perspective to complex operational environments, with experience supporting government and industry customers in areas such as electromagnetic spectrum operations and communications resilience. His work includes enabling organizations to better understand, model, and defend against threats across increasingly contested and interconnected domains.
Prior to Keysight, Dr. Shen worked at Applied Signal Technology, where he developed complex systems for signals intelligence, including signal processing, collection, and analysis in complex RF environments.
At Keysight, Dr. Shen serves as Chief Solutions Architect for defense communications. He has been at the forefront of Keysight’s work in digital twin technologies, 5G for defense communications, non-terrestrial networks, spectrum monitoring, wideband signals capture and analysis, drone detection, and signal location. His work on Golden Dome has brought him to drive strategy and engagement around next-generation architectures that integrate sensing, communications, and electronic warfare capabilities.
Dr. Shen is a frequent speaker at Defense industry events. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology, and MS and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, where his doctoral research focused on neural networks.
Dr. Amir Stephenson
Director of Networked Electromagnetic Systems (NES)
Lockheed Martin
Dr. Amir Stephenson
Director, Networked Electromagnetic Systems (NES), Lockheed Martin
Amir Stephenson is Director of Networked Electromagnetic Systems (NES) for Lockheed Martin, reporting to the corporation’s Vice President, System Prototypes. Amir leads the strategy, planning, and execution of the NES portfolio, focused on the delivery of integrated system-level prototypes spanning networked communications (inclusive of 5G.MIL® Unified Network Solutions), sensing, electromagnetic warfare and information-centric technologies for decisive information advantage. He is responsible for the NES corporate IR&D including development, integration, and demonstration in collaboration with all of Lockheed Martin’s business areas. He is also responsible for managing strategic relationships to support this initiative.
Previously, Amir Stephenson served as the Chief Engineer Senior Manager, Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) Advanced Comms, for Lockheed Martin. In this role, Amir led the Advanced Communications technical strategy and roadmap, as well as direct leadership of the Advanced Comms organization. Amir partnered with leadership across Lockheed Martin to shape and support captures and program execution aligned to Advanced Comms.
Additionally, Amir has led initiatives for the Department of War (DoW) and commercial industry, with focus areas including Command & Control, strategic planning, communications, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other emerging technology areas. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Amir served in a variety of positions with increasing responsibilities at The MITRE Corporation in McLean, VA, including 5G Security Portfolio lead and DoW 5G Project Lead. Outside of 5G, he led projects related to transport modernization, cyber operations, and cloud modernization for various agencies include the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Office of the Under Secretary of War, various COCOMs, and interagency leadership.
Dr. Stephenson was selected as the inaugural DoW 5G Cross Functional Team Chief Technology
Officer, acting in that role until he left MITRE in 2022.
Dr. Stephenson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctor of Engineering degree in Engineering Management from the George Washington University
Dr. Chandra Thapa
Senior Research Scientist
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)
Dr. Chandra Thapa
Senior Research Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)
Dr. Chandra Thapa is a Senior Research Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency. He is working at the intersection of advanced research, cross-sector collaboration, and innovation. His research spans integrated sensing and communication, secure and resilient distributed systems, and robust machine learning, including quantum machine learning. He collaborates with universities, industry, and funding bodies in Australia and internationally, helping strengthen partnerships across academia, industry, and government.
Dr. Ardavan Tehrani
Director of Engineering
Samsung Research America
Dr. Ardavan Tehrani
Director of Engineering at Samsung Research America
Dr. Tehrani is a wireless and telecom industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as a Director of Engineering at Samsung Research America, where he leads U.S.-based 6G research. He plays a pivotal role in industry leadership as the Vice-Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance Board and Chair of its Agentic AI Task Group. Additionally, he serves on the USITUA Board of Directors and as a member of the U.S. delegation to WRC and CITEL. Previously, he was a member of the FCC Technical Advisory Committee (2023–2025), co-chairing its AI/ML sub-working group on Softwarization. He holds an MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
Mr. Jani Väisänen
Technology Executive, Co-Founder, and Chief Technology Officer
Unikie
Mr. Jani Vaisanen
Technology Executive, Co-Founder, and Chief Technology Officer at Unikie
Mr. Jani Väisänen is a technology executive, co-founder, and Chief Technology Officer at Unikie, a global software engineering and innovation company focused on embedding intelligence into machines, vehicles, and industrial systems.
With over two decades of experience at the forefront of emerging technologies, Jani has built and led high-performing engineering organizations delivering cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and autonomous systems. His work has been instrumental in driving innovation across industries where software meets the physical world—from automotive and industrial automation to intelligent infrastructure.
Jani’s expertise spans AI, machine learning, embedded systems, and distributed architectures, with a particular focus on physical AI: the convergence of intelligence, connectivity, and control systems that enable machines to perceive, decide, and act safely in dynamic environments. These systems integrate sensor infrastructure, edge computing, and real-time communication to achieve precise, scalable automation—even in complex, high-density operational settings.
Dr. Martin Weiss
Director for FutureG Applied Research
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
Dr. Martin Weiss
Director for FutureG Applied Research at Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
Dr. Martin Weiss is currently the Director for FutureG Applied Research, and Technical Lead for Resilient and Open Commercial Solutions within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. In this capacity, Dr. Weiss oversees multiple efforts to promote FutureG applied research which enable government, academia, and industry to build commercially useful solutions to meet the Department of Defense’s wireless communications needs.
Prior to joining the FutureG Office, Dr. Weiss was a Professor in the Department of Informatics and Networked Systems in the School of Computing and Information and is Associate Director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a founding member of SpectrumX, a National Science Foundation-funded Spectrum Innovation Institute. He earned his PhD. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Science in Engineering in Computer, Control, and Information Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. His research interest is on the governance of technological systems and infrastructures. He has been studying dynamic spectrum access, and the economic perspective of spectrum sharing and mobile telecommunication standards such as 3GPP.
Mr. Colin Willcock
Chairman of the Board
6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA)
Mr. Colin Wilcox
Chairman of the Board of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), Chairman of the Board of the European Smart Networks and Services Joint undertaking (SNS-JU) and Vice-Chairman of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) board
Mr. Colin Wilcox is currently chairman of the board of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), chairman of the board of the European Smart Networks and Services Joint undertaking (SNS-JU) and vice-chairman of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) board. He has detailed knowledge and experience of the telecommunications industry having worked directly or indirectly with many of the major players over a 30-year period. The roles have included software developer, technical consultant, technical marketing, standardization and management. In addition to line manager roles, he has participated extensively in standardization activities at ETSI, ITU-T and 3GPP, including instrumental work in creating and developing the TTCN-3 testing language. Colin has also been very active in the European research ecosystem, including leading a number of award winning European projects such as TT-Medal, D-MINT and SEMAFOUR. Colin is currently head of Research Alliances at Nokia.
Dr. Ted Woodward
Technical Director for FutureG
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
Dr. Ted Woodward
Technical Director for Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
Dr. Ted Woodward is Technical Director for the FutureG Office, where he is heavily relied upon for his technical expertise. Dr. Woodward has an extensive record of innovation, entrepreneurship, research, management, and leadership in fields including radio frequency (RF), optical communications and networking, data systems, semiconductor electronic and optoelectronic devices, full-custom integrated circuits, and commercial optical communication products. With experience in both the commercial and government environment, he works across the boundary of research and application to connect new research to valuable innovations that deliver customer impact.
Prior to joining the FutureG Office, he served as a Program Manager in the DARPA Strategic Technologies Office (STO). There he created, managed, and transitioned a diverse portfolio of communications, networking, and sensing programs valued at more than $150M. Dr. Woodward began his career with 12 years as a member of technical staff in the Research Division of Bell Laboratories, where he defined and executed impactful research in optical interconnect and communication systems. Dr. Woodward holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the California Institute of Technology.
Dr. Yaning Zou
6G Research and Standardization Lead
Nokia RAN & Core CTO.
Dr. Yaning Zou
6G Research and Standardization lead at Nokia RAN & Core CTO
Dr. Yaning Zou is the 6G research and standardization lead in Nokia RAN & Core CTO. She has been actively leading and shaping 6G development from its early stage including leading 6G radio in Hexa-X and coordinating 6G related European microelectronics strategic project COREnect. She joined Nokia in 2022 after spending more than 10 years leading collaborative research in academia. Now she is responsible for steering and driving 6G innovation and standardization strategies, aiming to build competitive 6G radio products that bring monetization and social values to customers and ecosystems.
Visit
Travel & Accommodations
* We’ve secured discounted group rates at two conveniently located in Arlington, VA for attendees of the George Mason – International ISAC Innovation Forum. Book your stay by the deadline**, to take advantage of the special rates.
*Westin Arlington
Address: 801 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203
Hotel Website
Closest Metro Station: Ballston-MU – Orange and Silver Lines
Group Dates: May 20–23, 2025
Rate: $199.00 USD per night
**Last Day to Book: Monday, May 11, 2026
Nearest Airports:
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 5.5 Miles (Recommended)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 21 Miles
Metro & Public Transit:
• Nearest Metro Stop to Event Venue: Virginia Square-GMU
Directions from Airports via Metro:
• From DCA: Blue Line to Rosslyn → Transfer to Orange Line to Ballston-MU
• From IAD: Silver Line to Ballston-MU
Walking Distance from recommended hotels: ~20-25 minutes
Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, Taxi available
Parking & Transportation
Van Meter Hall Parking Garage
Address: Founders Way N, Arlington, VA 22226
Parking Info
Cost: $19/day, $5 for 1 hour, $4/hour for 2-4 hours, $17 for 5 hours
Fuse Parking Garage
