Repperger Research Intern Program

This 10-week educational internship program posthumously honors Dr. Daniel W. Repperger, who mentored many young people during his 35-year research career with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), by providing research opportunities for students to participate in research projects at one of the Air Force facilities under the mentorship of an AFRL scientist. Each scientist has been selected to mentor, because of their technical knowledge, experience, and willingness to help science and engineering students enhance their learning through participation in an actual Air Force research project.

• About Dr. Daniel W. Repperger
  
  

  Dr. Repperger

  The Repperger Research Intern Program honors the life and work of Dr. Daniel W. Repperger (1942-2010), a scientist and mentor to many young engineers and scientists. As a researcher in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Effectiveness Directorate for 35 years, Dr. Repperger’s mathematical and scientific innovations have revolutionized image and network complexity analysis. He received international recognition in haptic controllers, human-machine interface performance enhancement, and mathematical methods development. While Dr. Repperger’s significant research accomplishments helped advance the performance of Air Force airmen and the field of human-centered research, his most significant accomplishment may well be the impact he had as a kind and caring mentor of many young Air Force scientists and science and engineering students.

  Dr. Repperger received a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. He was a David Ross Research Fellow at Purdue from 1971-1973 and a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow at Wright-Patterson AFB from 1973-1975. A member of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi, Dr. Repperger was a Registered Professional Engineer in Ohio and on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Academy of Sciences. He was a Fellow of the IEEE, Air Force Research Laboratory, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, the Ohio Academy of Science and the Aerospace Medical Association. Dr. Repperger authored over 400 technical journal articles, reports and conference publications, was selected as Associate Editor of five international journals and obtained 14 U.S. patents and 28 Air Force invention registrations. His honors and awards include the Harry G. Armstrong Scientific Excellence Award, Human Effectiveness Directorate Mentor of the Year, IEEE Third Millennium Medal Winner and the IEEE Dayton Fritz Russ Award. Dr. Repperger is listed in the Who's Who in Science and Engineering and the American Men and Women of Science.

• AFRL 711th Human Performance Wing Chief Scientist Message
  
  

  Gaurav Sharma, PhD, ST
  Chief Scientist
  711th Human Performance Wing

  As the Chief Scientist for the 711th Human Performance Wing at the Air Force Research Laboratory, I invite you to submit an application to participate in our 2023 Repperger Intern program. This program posthumously honors Dr. Daniel W. Repperger, who mentored many scientists and engineers during his 35-year research career with our organization, by providing opportunities for student interns to conduct research in one of our facilities. Interns will participate under the mentorship of an AFRL scientist or engineer who has been selected to mentor because of their technical knowledge, experience and willingness to help science and engineering students enhance their learning through participation in an actual Air Force research project.

  Please review the information and application instructions to determine your eligibility and then review the research projects to see if any match your research interests. If selected for one of the projects, you will be appointed to a 10-week summer research internship at one of our two research locations: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH and Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. The research appointments will be administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

  Along with gaining first-hand research experience, you will learn the inner workings of an operational Department of Defense laboratory and develop contacts and a network that will help you in your professional career. Again, please review the information on this website carefully to understand the specifics of the program before you apply. I look forward to reviewing your application and wish you the best of luck in the selection process.

  
  

  Gaurav Sharma, PhD, ST
  Chief Scientist
  711th Human Performance Wing

• What is the 711th Human Performance Wing?

  The 711th Human Performance Wing advances human performance in air, space, and cyberspace through research, education, and consultation, accomplished through the synergies created by the wing’s two distinct but complementary entities:

  • The Airman Systems Directorate leads the U.S. Air Force’s human-centered research, discovering biological and cognitive technologies to optimize and protect the Airman’s capabilities to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace. The Directorate provides a strong in-house research program and extensive research partnerships with industry and academia. Its research team is composed of the most diverse range of technical disciplines in the Air Force to explore the human from the bio-molecular level to the societal behavior level. The Directorate focuses its research in four Core Technical Competencies: Adaptive Warfighter Interfaces, Medical and Operational Biosciences, Training, and Bioeffects.
  • The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) is an internationally renowned center for aerospace medical learning, consultation, aerospace medical investigations and aircrew health assessments. The school trains approximately 5,000 students each year. It also performs research on technologies for the rapid detection of chemical, biological and radiological events, hyperbaric medical research and light, durable intensive care capabilities. USAFSAM also has the Nation’s only Radiological Assessment Teams available for 24/7 deployment.

  For more information about the 711th Human Performance Wing, visit the website.

• Key Information

  Program Dates:	June 5, 2023 – August 11, 2023
  Stipend:	A stipend will be paid for the 10-week period
  Lodging:	Participants are responsible for securing their own living space and determining the means of local transportation prior to arriving at the assigned appointment site.
  Research Locations:	Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, with options for AFRL Collaborative Labs at Wright State University; or Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX
  Number of Participants:	Between 10-20 students will be selected for participation.
  Eligibility Requirements:	Applicants need to meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application: Be a U.S. citizen. Be at least 18 years of age. Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited institution of higher education during the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants must provide proof of enrollment during the Fall 2022 term at the time of application. Candidates selected for an internship appointment will be required to provide proof of enrollment during Spring 2023 at the time appointment is accepted. Preference will be given to applicants who intend to be a student in the Fall of 2023. Be pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale as of Fall 2022.
  Final Report:	All selectees are encouraged to prepare a PowerPoint presentation or poster by end of internship. Notifications will be made to those required to present their poster or slide deck during the intern summer close-out summit.
  Application Deadline:	January 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. EST It is anticipated selected candidates will be notified by March 2023.
  Additional Documents Required Upon Selection:	Proof of Spring 2023 academic enrollment
  Computer Access	Students selected will be required to undergo a National Agency Check prior to being granted access to government computer systems.
  Notification:	Students selected for the program will receive an appointment with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) to participate in a research project sponsored by the 711th Human Performance Wing. The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

• Project Catalog

  The 2023 Project Catalog

  All documents are in PDF format unless otherwise noted. 

  AFRL-RHB-23-01 : Profiling Cold Tolerance in Human Subjects through Circulating Molecular Biomarkers

  AFRL-RHB-23-02 : Optimizing Warfighter Decision Making

  AFRL-RHB-23-03 : Molecular Tools for Biosensing Laboratory

  AFRL-RHB-23-04 : Assessing the Role of the Microbiome in Warfighter Performance

  AFRL-RHB-23-05 : Assessing Novel Biosources for Human Performance Monitoring

  AFRL-RHB-23-06 : Studies on AF Relevant Stressors on Airmen Health & Performance using Biological Models

  AFRL-RHB-23-07 : Electronic/Electrochemical/Optical Sensor for Molecular Biomarkers

  AFRL-RHB-23-08 : Optimize a Countermeasure for Accelerated Acclimation and Resilience to Extreme Cold

  AFRL-RHB-23-09 : Advancement of Wearable Biosensors for Human Health and Performance Sensing

  AFRL-RHB-23-10 : MultiOmics Sequencing and Synthetic Biology for Human Performance

  AFRL-RHD-23-01 : Exploiting Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields to Provide Cellular Resilience

  AFRL-RHD-23-02 : Advancing Microscopy to Directly Visualize Directed Energy Interactions with Cells

  AFRL-RHD-23-03 : Laser Ablation, Shockwave Dynamics, and Laser-Tissue Interactions

  AFRL-RHD-23-04 : End-to-End Modeling of Directed Energy Bioeffects

  AFRL-RHD-23-05 : Fractional Order Biophysics

  AFRL-RHD-23-06 : Advanced Imaging Tools to Identify Biological Mechanisms of Directed Energy Interaction

  AFRL-RHD-23-07 : Integrating Visual Performance Measurements in an Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Environment

  AFRL-RHD-23-08 : Machine Learning Data Analysis for Optical Distortion Computations

  AFRL-RHD-23-09 : Correcting Color Using Machine Learning

  AFRL-RHD-23-10 : Assessing Visual Performance With and Without Eye Protection

  AFRL-RHW-23-01 : Dynamics of Team Insight: Measuring Team Trust and Strategic Shifts with a Machine Teammate

  AFRL-RHW-23-02 : Language Adaptation and Grounding for Effective Team Communication

  AFRL-RHW-23-03 : Building Cognitive Security in Online Environments

  AFRL-RHW-23-04 : Developing a Model of Signal Localizability

  AFRL-RHW-23-05 : Individualizing Cognitive Models

  AFRL-RHW-23-06 : Neuro-Symbolic AI for Robustness and Generalization

  AFRL-RHW-23-07 : Modeling Hybrid Strategy Use and Switching in Decision Tasks

  AFRL-RHW-23-08 : Agents For Co-Training & Knowledge Capture

  AFRL-RHW-23-09 : Network Characterization and Monitoring via Mixed Modeling of Network Properties

  AFRL-RHW-23-10 : Individualized Cognitive Load Modeling

  AFRL-RHW-23-11 : The Impact of Bias on AI Development

• How to Apply

  Submit Application in Zintellect (December 1, 2022 – January 19, 2023 3:00pm EST)

  A complete application consists of:

  • Zintellect Profile
  • All required fields in both the profile and application form. Within the application, you may select up to five research projects and sort your projects in order of preference. While these preferences will be taken into consideration, it may not be possible for all applicants to be assigned to their first choice project. Please also review the “ACADEMIC LEVEL/DISCIPLINE NEEDED” on each research project as locations and desired educational background vary.
  • Educational and Employment History
  • Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
  • Transcripts/Academic Records - Transcripts must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed coursework and grades through Summer 2022 and courses in progress/completed during Fall 2022. Final grades for Fall 2022 semester will not be required. 
  • A current Resume/Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
  • Two academic recommendations completed by either faculty adviser or school faculty and received in Zintellect by January 19, 2023, 3:00 p.m. EST. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed, until two recommendations are submitted. We encourage contacting your recommenders immediately once you apply. References/recommendations are asked to describe students’ Scientific Capabilities and Personal Characteristics and must specify how they know the student.

  • Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
  • All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

  If you have questions, send an email to AFRL-Summer@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [AFRL-711HPW-2023-Repperger] in the subject line of the email. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this opportunity listing. Please do not send application materials to the email address above.

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