Brian A. Weiss is a mechanical engineer and, shortly after this blog was first published, became an Associate Research Engineer at the University of Maryland – Applied Research Lab for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS). His focus at ARLIS is on performing test and evaluation of defense-related technologies in the scope of the Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, and Augmentation (AAA) mission area. Prior to joining ARLIS, Dr. Weiss was a project leader at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His NIST research focused on developing the necessary measurement science to verify and validate emerging monitoring, diagnostic and prognostic technologies and strategies for smart manufacturing to enable manufacturers to respond to planned and un-planned performance changes. He has a B.S. in mechanical engineering, a professional master's in engineering, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.