In 2017 Dr. Robert E. Davis began serving as the Senior Scientific Technical Manager and Chief Scientist for the Geospatial Research and Engineering business area of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). ERDC research and development supports the Department of Defense and other agencies in military and civilian projects.
Principal mission areas include civil engineering, environment, water resources engineering and physical sciences. Research projects include facilities, airfields and pavements, protective structures, sustainment engineering, environmental quality, installation restoration (cleanup), compliance and conservation, regulatory functions, flood control, navigation, recreation, hydropower, topography, mapping, geospatial data, winter climatic conditions, oceanography, environmental impacts, and information technology.
Dr. Davis began his career with the Corps in 1990 as a research physical scientist with the Geophysical Sciences Branch at CRREL. He performed research full-time as a member of CRREL’s technical staff from 1990 to 2001. From 2001 to 2006, he served as the Technical Director of military programs and cold regions science and engineering at CRREL. He also served as the lead technical director for ERDC’s geospatial research and engineering business area.
Starting in 2006, he served in the Senior Executive Service as the Director of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover New Hampshire, one of seven laboratories that comprise the U.S. Army ERDC.
Dr. Davis has conducted research on Earth surface signatures across the optical and microwave spectral regions to remotely retrieve information about it properties and processes. He has examined land-atmosphere interactions and the state of the terrain to improve the Soldier’s situational awareness of the environmental effects on military sensing. He also investigated improved approaches to monitor and forecast snow cover conditions for water resources and Nordic expeditionary operations.
Dr. Davis holds a dual-major bachelor’s degree in geology and geography, a master’s in geography, and a doctorate in geography, all from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
He has published numerous technical reports and peer-reviewed papers and has received many distinguished awards to include the Army’s Research and Development Achievement Award. He has served on panels and committees of academic and other research organizations, and as a senior analyst augmenting the Department of Defense Joint Staff.