UNCREWED VEHICLE AND ATMOSPHERIC INVESTIGATION LAB
Dr. Kevin A. Adkins, PhD
Dr. Kevin Adkins is the director of UNVAIL and a Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering, along with advanced coursework in physics and atmospheric science. Dr. Adkins teaches aerodynamics, advanced air mobility (AAM), and special topics in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), including Uncrewed Aircraft Systems for Atmospheric Investigation, within the College of Aviation. Professor Adkins’ research interests include UAS and their applications, using UAS and numerical methods to analyze changes to near-surface (ABL/UBL) meteorology, micrometeorology, advanced air mobility (AAM) [UAM], and UAS flight test. Prior to coming to Embry-Riddle, Kevin served as an officer and pilot in the USAF and spent over a decade in engineering industry, working as both an aircraft system design and lead flight test engineer. Dr. Adkins holds numerous professional memberships, including with the American Meteorological Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Avinash Muthu Krishnan
Professor Avinash Muthu Krishnan is an assistant professor in the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle. Avinash received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is presently a doctoral student in Mechanical Engineering.
Joe Cabrera
Mr. Cabrera holds the positions of Chief UAS Pilot, Director of Flight Operations (UAS), and Research Support Specialist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Joe created and presently coordinates the UAS Flight Instructor program at Riddle. He is presently pursuing his master of science degree in aviation.
Jeremy Copenhaver
Mr. Copenhaver is a student in Embry-Riddle's College of Aviation Master of Science in Unmanned Systems degree program. He is also founder and owner of AeralFlix.
Kaleb Nails
Mr. Nails is originally from Atlanta, GA and is pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.
Logan Altrogge
Mr. Altrogge is pursuing a B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft System Science with a minor in Geographical Information System (GIS).
David Zink
Mr. Zink is an undergraduate student from Mechanicsburg, PA majoring in Uncrewed Aerial Systems with a minor in Meteorology. He has always been intrigued by the atmosphere and weather but fell in love with meteorology quickly after taking his first few courses in it. While Mr. Zink has an abundance of excitement for meteorology, his passion is for uncrewed aircraft systems. Learning from his father, he has been flying fixed-wing aircraft almost every weekend since early childhood. Introduced to computer aided design and coding in high school, Mr. Zink continued growing these skills and currently works as a CAD designer for a utility engineering company.
Jason LaRose
Mr. LaRose retired from the US Army in 2020 with 26 years of service in the Motor Transport and Chemical Warfare fields. Flying R/C planes as a hobby has been his passion for over 15 years. He holds a Part 107 license and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Uncrewed Aerial Systems.