Viktoria Greanya appointed chief scientist at Wright State Research Institute

Viktoria Greanya is the chief scientist at the Wright State Research Institute.

The Wright State Research Institute has hired physicist and defense science leader Viktoria Greanya as chief scientist responsible for the institute’s scientific research.

Greanya will lead the nonprofit institute’s basic and applied research functions and oversee researchers in human-machine teaming; autonomy, artificial intelligence and machine learning; computational cognitive and social science; education and training; and unmanned systems. She plans to develop a strategic approach to pursue new opportunities and research thrusts that leverage the institute and university strengths.

“It is incredible to see the deep technical expertise here and this organization has a refreshing willingness to collaborate on projects that you don’t find in many other programs,” said Greanya. “We will focus on strategic planning and growth strategies that leverage our expertise in intelligent teaming. I think that given our technical strengths and the strategic needs of the Department of Defense and national security, WSRI is well-positioned.”

Prior to coming to WSRI, Greanya spent a decade doing groundbreaking work developing emerging technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. She served as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) developing novel materials and devices for national security needs.

Greanya also served as chief of basic research for chemical and biological defense at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, whose mission is to counter weapons of mass destruction. She oversaw an approximately $48 million per year program covering medical, biological, chemical, physical and device-oriented science and technology.

Most recently, Greanya founded Morpho Sciences, a consulting firm that develops science and technology strategy for clients in the government, academic, and industry sectors.

She graduated from Michigan State University with a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics and won a prestigious postdoctoral award from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). While at the NRL Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, she researched the development of liquid crystal-based underwater mine detection. Greanya has also been a research associate professor at George Mason University, prior and during her time at DTRA.

She has published on subjects that include nanomaterials and photonic devices, and has received awards including the Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

“We are fortunate to be able to recruit a scientific leader of Dr. Greanya’s caliber to WSRI. It is a testament to the work of our incredible team of researchers that she would see the talent and opportunity here and want to join us,” said Dennis Andersh, WSRI executive director and WSARC chief executive officer. “Dr. Greanya also played a key role in formulating the APEX concept that was recently awarded to WSARC. I am looking forward to seeing her make this role her own, and bringing the work we do forward to help our partners turn excellent science into powerful solutions.”