Program Overview
Parallax Advanced Research was selected to lead the Department of the Air Force Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment, or APEX, program in 2019 via a Partnership Intermediary Agreement. Parallax is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that tackles global challenges by accelerating innovation and developing technology and solutions through strategic partnerships with government, industry and academia across Ohio and the Nation.
To support the APEX initiative, Parallax Advanced Research plays a key role in employing advanced machine learning and data science to identify scientists and scientific communities around the country whose work can be developed for Department of the Air Force application. APEX also leverages Parallax leadership of the Ohio Federal Research Network to improve academic and industry research partnerships across Ohio.
APEX is a first-of-its-kind program that aims to enhance partnerships between the Department of the Air Force and academia. The five-year, $49 million program focuses on enhancing academic engagement nationwide in support of the National Defense and U.S. Air Force 2030 Strategies.
APEX provides free resources to academic researchers and innovators interested in participating in or applying for funding from the Air Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transition Research (STTR) programs. APEX's goal is to make a major leap forward for Department of the Air Force defense technology innovation and development.
What is a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)?
A partnership intermediary is an agreement between the government and an intermediary organization such as state and local governmental agencies and nonprofit entities operated by or on behalf of a state or local government to perform partnership intermediary services. These services increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with small business firms and educational institutions that need technology-related assistance from a federal laboratory.
As such, the APEX partnership intermediary performs services that support the Department of the Air Force, U.S. Air Force 2030 Science and Technology Strategy, U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program and U.S. Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition program, including identification of appropriate technologies for licensing and commercialization and new technologies in the private sector that the U.S. Air Force can utilize and transfer to operational use.
Our Core Competencies
- Identify collaborators, innovators and technology opportunities using robust data analytics and active connection programs.
- Build & Connect a nationwide network of innovators and technologists from universities, small businesses and the government.
- Develop & Deploy targeted education programs to train university and partnered small business innovators to effectively interface with the Department of Defense.
- Drive innovation through the creation of high-performance teams, innovative concept engineering events and Blue Sky workshops.
- Accelerate & Diversify the technology transition pipeline through DoD challenge problems and novel and targeted small business and technology transition opportunities.
Our Processs
APEX integrates stakeholders and processes into a systematic, repeatable operation that spans the science and technology lifecycle and is designed to maximize probability of transition

Furthermore, APEX opens the aperture to a broader set of academic, industry and government partnerships to create a robust pipeline of new innovative technology solutions and supports and cultivates these partnerships to increase technology transition successes and enhance access to top worldwide talent.

Acronyms used in these infographics are defined in our glossary.
Our team

Erin Holden
Program Manager & DAF Liaison

Erin Holden
Program Manager & DAF Liaison
Erin Holden has 15 years’ experience in business development, communications, and policy and procurement with the DoD, U.S. Air Force and Air Force Research Laboratory. She has a Bachelor of Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Kathleen Gilpin
Director of Discovery and Engagement

Dr. Kathleen Gilpin
Director of Discovery and Engagement
Dr. Kathleen Gilpin was an applied research scientist within the 711th Human Performance Wing at the Air Force Research Laboratory and a research scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory where she conducted research to assess the effects of traumatic brain injury. She served five years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer navigating amphibious ships and remains a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience.

Michael Bianco
Process Navigation Project Engineer

Michael Bianco
Process Navigation Project Engineer

Dr. David Rude
CLO, Director of Human Capital, Workforce Development, Edu & Training

Dr. David Rude
CLO, Director of Human Capital, Workforce Development, Edu & Training

Gretchen Capogna
STEM Manager

Gretchen Capogna
STEM Manager
Gretchen Capogna has eight years’ experience as a DoD government contractor. She’s coordinated STEM programs for the Air Force Research Laboratory and partnership collaborations between the U.S. Air Force and American universities. Ms. Capogna has an extensive background in education and has directed education programs for the U.S. Air Force at multiple bases in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Capogna has a Bachelor of Political Science and Legal Studies.

Chris Wright
Talent Management Specialist

Chris Wright
Talent Management Specialist

Scott Walden
Talent Management Specialist

Scott Walden
Talent Management Specialist

Dr. Frank "D9" DiGiovanni
Director of Operations and Technology

Dr. Frank "D9" DiGiovanni
Director of Operations and Technology

Dana Moore
Information Scientist

Dana Moore
Information Scientist

Daniel Foose
Director of Data Science and Analytics

Daniel Foose
Director of Data Science and Analytics

Angela Smith
Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Angela Smith
Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Chris Roby
Software Developer

Chris Roby
Software Developer

Sue Cumbers
Executive Assistant

Sue Cumbers
Executive Assistant
Contact us for more information about the APEX program.
