With over 30 years of experience in aerospace systems, autonomy, and artificial intelligence, Dr. Sumali is a trailblazer in applying reinforcement learning to guidance, navigation, and control of high-speed and hypersonic vehicles. His work has advanced national security while shaping the future of autonomous systems, and he continues to empower the next generation of engineers through mentorship and leadership. 

José M. Cerrato is Professor and Regents’ Lecturer in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Honduras, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech. He serves as Director of the UNM METALS Superfund Research Center and the UNM Community Health Allied Network for Geospatial and Environmental Science (CHANGES) Center. His research interest is related to biogeochemical processes occurring at molecular and macro scales at the interface of water, energy, and environmental health. He has been a recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, and Fulbright U.S. Scholar Senior Research Award to Spain. He currently serves as President-Elect of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). 

Anjali is an environmental engineer and a professor at the University of New Mexico. She leads a team of students to study environmental resource sustainability. Her work encompasses themes of water resources engineering, atmospheric water harvesting, waste-to-energy technologies, and environmental clean-up. She is passionate about education, science communication, and outreach within her community.