Value-driven machine learning for challenging sensing environments

Michael Wardlaw, Office of Naval Research (United States)

Michael Wardlaw is a senior engineer with the U.S. Navy, as well as a researcher and engineering instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds a BSEE from North Carolina A&T State University and an MSEE from North Carolina State University, and has led the development of advanced passive and active photonic systems, including serving as head of the Advanced Systems Concepts Group and director of laser technology, where he helped reestablish the Navy’s high‑energy laser program. Currently, he leads the Maritime Sensing Group at the Office of Naval Research, overseeing research in naval sensing, autonomous platforms, and signal processing, and is a recognized innovation leader with multiple patents, numerous Navy awards, and the 2000 National Black Engineer of the Year honor for Outstanding Technical Contribution in Government.

 

This keynote is part of the Machine Learning from Challenging Data 2026 conference.

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Event Details

FORMAT: Presentation followed by audience Q&A.
MENU: Coffee, decaf, and tea will be available at the coffee service stations during published times.
SETUP: Classroom and theater style seating.