Andrew Mullen, Ph.D.

Andrew Mullen, Ph.D.

About

Welcome, I am a research engineer with over a decade of experience advancing imaging, sensing, and robotics on NASA and NSF projects. I have worked extensively in systems engineering, developing robotic payloads that integrate optics, computer vision, electronics, and mechanical systems. My experience spans full project lifecycles, from instrument design and fabrication to logistics and field deployment – with missions ranging from Antarctic ice shelves, to deep-sea brine pools, to tropical coral reefs.

Professional

My positions have included Senior Research Engineer / Visting Research Scientist in the Planetary Habitability & Technology Lab at Cornell University, NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow at Georgia Tech, and Ph.D. Fellow in the Jaffe Laboratory for Underwater Imaging at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD.

  • 2022-2024 — Senior Engineer / Visting Scientist, Cornell University
  • 2018-2021 — Postdoctoral Fellow, NASA & Georgia Tech
  • 2019, Summer — Visiting Researcher, NASA JPL

Education

  • 2018 — Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, UC San Diego
  • 2015 — M.S. in Oceanography, UC San Diego
  • 2011 — B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude

Project Examples

  • Imaging Systems: Jointly led the development of a custom submersible diver operated microscope, an underwater particle imaging velocimetry system, and a submersible digital holographic microscope - all used in ocean environments.
  • Sensor Packages: Led the design and fabrication of a custom multi-sensor instrument package for ROV exploration of deep sea brine pools.
  • Robotics: Member of the operations and development team of ‘Icefin’ a custom underwater robot designed for polar exploration, performed three expeditions to Antarctica on the robot team.
  • Ocean Worlds Exploration: Co-led development of conceptual life detection payloads and concept missions to explore “ocean worlds” in our solar system such as Europa.

Technical Skills

  • Computing: computer vision, image processing, data analysis, signal processing [Python, OpenCV, Matlab]
  • Optical: imaging system design, computational imaging, microscopy, holography [Zemax]
  • Electrical: PCB design, implementation of embedded computers and micro-controllers [Eagle, Python]
  • Mechanical: mechanical design, pressure housing design [Solid Works]
  • Fluidic: particle tracking velocimetry observations, fluid dynamics, water sampling systems

Scientific Publications

  • Peer Reviewed Journals: Nature, Nature Geoscience, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Planetary Science Journal, Earth and Space Science, Sustainability
  • Conference Papers: Optical Society of America, IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Media Coverage

  • Outlets Including: New York Times, BBC, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, PBS, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics, and more

Funding & Awards

  • Fellowships: NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), Link Ocean Engineering Ph.D. Fellowship, NOAA Hollings Scholarship
  • Awards & Honors: Microscopy Today Innovation Award, Antarctic Service Medal
  • Performed engineering and operations work on projects funded by: NSF Office of Polar Programs, NASA Astrobiology Program, NASA Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research (PSTAR) Grants

Field Work

  • Field Research Seasons: Antarctica (x3), Arctic (x4), Red Sea (x2), Caribbean (x2), West Africa (x2), Pacific (x3), Gulf of Mexico
  • Research Utilizing: scientific diving, research vessels, underwater robotic vehicles, towed ocean payloads, and geophysical instrumentation
  • Training: AAUS Scientific Diver (2012, over 150 lifetime dives), Wilderness EMT (2024), Antarctic Field Training (2018, 2019, 2021)

Outside of Work

Outside of work I enjoy outdoor activities including

  • Triathlons: Ironman x2, Half Ironman x2
  • Mountaineering: Denali, Chimborazo, Cayambe, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker
  • Backpacking: Sectioned hiked ~880 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and am looking forward to doing more!
  • Trail running, and surfing.

Videos Describing Work