Andrew Mullen, Ph.D.

Andrew Mullen, Ph.D.

About

Welcome, I am a research engineer with a focus on developing imaging, sensing and robotic systems for exploration. I have over a decade of experience on NASA and NSF-funded ocean and planetary science projects. My background includes work managing full projects lifecycle from instrument design and fabrication through logistics and field deployment — with missions ranging from Antarctic ice shelves, to deep-sea brine pools, to tropical coral reefs.

Professional

I worked as a Senior Research Engineer at Cornell University in the Planetary Habitability & Technology Lab. Prior to this, I was a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology. During my Ph.D. I conducted research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the Jaffe Laboratory for Underwater Imaging.

  • 2024 - Present — Visting Research Scientist, Cornell University
  • 2022-2023 — Senior Research Engineer, Cornell University
  • 2018-2021 — Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology & NASA Postdoctoral Program
  • 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

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

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: data analysis, image processing, computer vision [Python, 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

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