About Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment

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

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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.

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Acronyms used in these infographics are defined in our glossary.

Our team

The APEX team is comprised of serial entrepreneurs, retired military members, scientists, academic researchers and former DoD executive leaders. Our standard for excellence is built on the diversity of our backgrounds that have afforded us a deep understanding of the importance of the APEX mission.

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

Mr. Michael Bianco has a strong background in mechanical engineering with years of research and experience in additive manufacturing. His relevant expertise includes program management and proffering engineering judgement on both state and federally funded projects.

Dr. Edie Williams

Director of Innovation Programs

Dr. Edie Williams

Director of Innovation Programs

Dr. Edie Williams has more than 40 years of experience in acquisition, technology and logistics in the DoD . Her experience includes a 25-year career on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Dr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Management, a Master of Arts in International Relations, and Doctor of Education, Human and Organizational Learning.

Dr. David Rude

CLO, Director of Human Capital, Workforce Development, Edu & Training

Dr. David Rude

CLO, Director of Human Capital, Workforce Development, Edu & Training

Dr. Dave Rude has 40 years of federal government experience in talent development, financial management and international relations. Dr. Rude previously served as Chief Learning Officer of the Department of Defense and National Nuclear Security Administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration, an MPA and a Doctor of Education in Human and Organizational Learning.

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

Chris has over 20 years of experience in HR. Chris worked primarily for Professional Services Organizations. While Chris had the opportunity to work in all areas of HR her “sweet spot” is talent management. Chris has a love for implementing programs that help employees find their purpose and a career path that aligns with their many skills and talents.

Scott Walden

Talent Management Specialist

Scott Walden

Talent Management Specialist

Scott has over 30 years of experience working for such organizations as The Walt Disney Company, The Orlando Sentinel Newspaper, SunTrust and CIBC Banks, The US Government, Thomson Learning, Community Trust Bank, Indiana State University, Quest Management Group, Inc., Entergy and most recently at the Veteran's Administration (VAMC).

Dr. Frank "D9" DiGiovanni

Director of Operations and Technology

Dr. Frank "D9" DiGiovanni

Director of Operations and Technology

Dr. Frank DiGiovanni has 41 years of government service and 26 years as a U.S. Air Force officer holding aviation ratings as a B-52H navigator and F-15A and A-37B pilot. He retired from the Air Force at the rank of colonel. Dr. DiGiovanni also held several command, director, and staff positions across the Air Force related to training policy, advanced training technologies, and sustaining the military's access to land, sea, and air training resources. He has served three operational deployments with the last in Pakistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Dr. DiGiovanni is a member of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Navy Senior Executive Service, serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for 11 years as the deputy director, where he was responsible for the programming and execution of the $900 million the DoD invests in worldwide joint training and training technologies.

Scott Swanson

Program Manager

Scott Swanson

Program Manager

Mr. Scott Swanson has a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization. He has extensive experience working for the Special Operations (SOF) and the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Forces. He began his career flying rescue and special operations helicopters and was credited with nine lives saved over his career. He has been awarded the Knight Award and the Eaker Award for Outstanding Airmanship while performing open ocean rescues. Mr. Swanson spent the first half of his U.S. Air Force career in the U.S. Air Force Special Operations / Rescue Forces including numerous combat / contingency deployments. The second half of his U.S. Air Force career was spent as an unmanned aerial system (UAS) pioneer, and test and evaluation and acquisition program manager.

Dana Moore

Information Scientist

Dana Moore

Information Scientist

Dana Moore is a technical information specialist and expert patent searcher. In the past, she has helped inventors articulate and protect their inventions and patent attorneys write better patents. She also has experience in knowledge management, archiving and organizing information generated within an organization. She has 20 years of experience in university and mid- to large-size corporate settings and extensive capability searching a variety of databases using text-based, patent-classification code-based, and structure-based searching methods.

Bruce Howard

VP Strategic Initiatives

Bruce Howard

VP Strategic Initiatives

Bruce Howard has more than 15 years’ experience in DoD research and development and ten years’ experience with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Mr. Howard holds a Master of Computer Science.

Daniel Foose

Director of Data Science and Analytics

Daniel Foose

Director of Data Science and Analytics

Mr. Daniel Foose is a data scientist with a background in a variety of areas of data analytics, including chemometrics, research intelligence and natural language processing. Mr. Foose holds Masters of Science in Chemistry and Computer Science.

Angela Smith

Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Angela Smith

Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Prior to joining Parallax, Ms. Angela Smith served in various roles supporting research and strategy. Most recently, she served as the director of Institutional Effectiveness at Indiana University Kokomo, overseeing institutional research, strategic planning and accreditation.

Chris Roby

Software Developer

Chris Roby

Software Developer

Chris Roby completed his master's degree in computer science at the University of Dayton in 2015. He has worked as a principal software engineer for various contacting companies supporting Wright-Patterson AFB, namely Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. Mr. Roby enjoys problem-solving and developing creative software solutions, taking pride in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Jessica Pacheco

Director of Marketing & Communications

Jessica Pacheco

Director of Marketing & Communications

Jessica Pacheco has nine years' experience in marketing and communications across non-profit, for-profit and government industries. She is certified in Google Analytics, content marketing, search marketing and competitive analysis. Ms. Pacheco has a Master of Media Communications and a Bachelor of Linguistics.

Emma Warner

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Emma Warner

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Emma Warner has seven years’ experience in marketing, communications and design across academia, nonprofit, and government sectors. She is skilled in written and verbal communication and specializes in content creation. Ms. Warner has a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a concentration in Business Administration.

Sue Cumbers

Executive Assistant

Sue Cumbers

Executive Assistant

Sue Cumbers has over 20 years' experience in operations management across entrepreneurial and international business sectors. She is skilled in customer service, communications, financial operations, human resources and project coordination. Ms. Cumbers has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Studies.