Biomedical & Biotechnology Program Manager

CFD Research awarded $2 million Missile Defense Agency contract to advance next-generation missile propulsion technology. HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - CFD Research, in collaboration with Purdue University, has been awarded a $2 million contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop next-generation solid propellant technology for missile defense interceptors. The award recognizes CFD Research's leadership in advanced propulsion research and computational modeling, while Purdue University contributes deep expertise in propellant chemistry and energetic materials science. Together, the teams are combining laboratory experimentation, machine learning, and analytical modeling to develop propellants that push the boundaries of what is currently possible in missile defense. Under this contract, CFD Research and Purdue are developing a new class of solid propellant that simultaneously improves thrust responsiveness and energy output - two qualities that have historically been difficult to advance together. Building on earlier research that proved this combination is achievable without compromising military safety classifications, this effort will scale that work into a full production and testing environment, validated across a range of thrust levels and chamber pressures. The program will also produce ProForm, a machine learning-based software tool designed to predict propellant burn behavior from experimental data. ProForm is intended to help development teams identify high-performing formulations faster, reducing the cost and time associated with large-scale physical testing while giving future programs a smarter foundation for propellant design. "This effort is about pushing the boundaries of what solid propulsion systems can achieve," said Debasis Sengupta, Principal Investigator at CFD Research. "By combining advanced chemistry with machine learning, we're creating propellants and predictive tools that enable faster, more agile response capabilities that strengthen the performance and reliability of next-generation defense systems." At the conclusion of this program, the team expects to deliver one or more flight-ready propellant formulations and the ProForm software, both at a maturity level suitable for transition into engineering and manufacturing development. This award highlights CFD Research's long-standing expertise at the intersection of propulsion, energetic materials, and computational science, and reinforces North Alabama's growing role as a hub for nationally significant defense technology development. **This material is based upon work supported by the Missile Defense Agency under Contract No. HQ086026CE044. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missile Defense Agency. About CFD Research Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001: AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 as a top growing company for five of the last six years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research welcomes Johnny Stephenson as Vice President of Space Division. (Huntsville, Ala.) CFD Research is pleased to announce the addition of Johnny Stephenson as Vice President of the Space Division. With more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, program leadership, and space mission support, Stephenson will help shape the company's space strategy as CFD Research continues to expand its involvement in major NASA programs and initiatives supporting the future of human space exploration. In this role, Stephenson will support the growth of CFD Research's space portfolio, helping strengthen customer relationships, guide strategic planning efforts, and support the company's continued engagement on NASA's Engineering and Science Services and Capabilities Augmentation (ESSCA) contract. His experience and insight will help position the company as it supports future missions, including efforts aimed at establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon. Stephenson joins CFD Research following a distinguished career with NASA. Most recently, he served as NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Communications, where he led the agency's global communications efforts as its highest-ranking civil servant in communications. Prior to that role, he served as Director of the Office of Strategic Analysis and Communications at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, leading an organization of over 170 personnel responsible for providing policy, program, and budget guidance to center leadership. Throughout his NASA career, Stephenson played a key role in supporting some of the agency's most significant programs and initiatives. Among his accomplishments, he chaired the $800 million Space Launch System avionics contract selection, contributing to the success of the Artemis I mission and NASA's broader efforts to return humans to the Moon. "Johnny brings a unique combination of leadership experience, strategic insight, and deep understanding of NASA's mission priorities," said Sameer Singhal, President & CEO of CFD Research. "His perspective and relationships across the space community will be invaluable as we continue growing our space portfolio and supporting some of the nation's most important exploration initiatives." CFD Research looks forward to leveraging Stephenson's experience and leadership as the company continues advancing innovative technologies and supporting critical space missions. His addition further strengthens CFD Research's commitment to delivering technical excellence and strategic value to customers across the aerospace and space communities. About CFD Research: Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm specializing in advanced capabilities across hypersonics, artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI/ML), sensing, power & energy, electronics, health & human performance, and space. The company develops and commercializes cutting-edge multi-physics simulation software, component and system technology prototypes, multidisciplinary analyses, and expert support services. This work has earned multiple national awards, along with recognition on the Inc. 5000 list five times in the past six years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is ISO 9001:AS9100D registered and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research awarded NASA contract to advance microbial detection for planetary protection. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - CFD Research Corporation has been awarded a NASA contract to develop advanced technologies that improve the detection of hard-to-find microorganisms, supporting planetary protection efforts for future space missions. As NASA expands exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, preventing the unintended transfer of Earth-based microbes to other planetary bodies is critical. Even trace amounts of contamination can impact scientific discovery and mission integrity. However, detecting these microorganisms, especially those that are highly resilient and present in extremely low numbers, remains a significant technical challenge. To address this, CFD Research is developing a novel approach called Genomic Rapid Inspection of Non-abundant bacteria after Decontamination (GRIND). This technique is designed to significantly improve how microbial samples are processed and analyzed, enabling more effective detection of organisms that can survive harsh, space-like environments. Many of the most concerning microbes, such as bacterial endospores, are highly resistant to traditional analysis methods and can evade detection during standard sample preparation. The GRIND approach introduces a combined mechanical and chemical process that dramatically improves the ability to break down these resilient organisms and recover their genetic material for analysis. By enhancing detection sensitivity and efficiency, this technology aims to close a critical gap in current planetary protection protocols - helping ensure that spacecraft and exploration systems meet the highest standards for biological cleanliness. "Detecting extremely low levels of resilient microorganisms is one of the biggest challenges in planetary protection," said David Gaddes, Manager in the Biotechnology & Life Sciences Division at CFD Research. "With GRIND, we're developing a more effective way to uncover what traditional methods can miss, helping NASA safeguard future missions and preserve the integrity of scientific exploration." This work supports NASA's broader mission to responsibly explore space while preventing biological contamination, enabling more reliable scientific results and protecting the environments of other worlds. About CFD Research Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm delivering innovative solutions across Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, Sensing, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Prototyping, and Test & Evaluation. The company is recognized for developing and commercializing advanced multi-physics simulation software, component and system technology prototypes, multidisciplinary analyses, and expert support services. This work has earned multiple national awards, along with recognition on the Inc. 5000 list five times in the past six years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is ISO 9001:AS9100D registered and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.