Two NUWC Division Newport employees win National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medals

Two NUWC Division Newport employees win National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medals

By NUWC Division Newport Public Affairs

Two Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport employees, Dr. David Rivera and Julie White, have each won the 2022 National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Bronze Medal, an annual award that recognizes outstanding individual achievements in science or engineering in the field of undersea warfare.

Rivera, a resident of Westerly, Rhode Island, is a "highly regarded technical leader" within the Electromagnetic Advanced Development Branch in the USW Electromagnetic System Department, has distinguished himself in the field of electromagnetics as applied to miniaturized antennas and related systems, the award states.

He has earned 18 patents and addressed Navy requirements, such as stealth, efficiency of operation and function.

"Rivera's work allowed solid antenna structures to have specific surface area regions removed while maintaining optimal operation, significantly reducing the size of the antenna and its variants," the award states.

White, a resident of Middletown, Rhode Island, is the director of engineering in the Sensor and Sonar Systems Department. White serves as the first-line supervisor for the chief engineers and the chief analyst. In her 33-year career, she has "built a reputation as consummate professional and distinguished technical leader," the award states.

White is a nationally recognized expert in all aspects of submarine sonar development and employment and has played an integral role in shaping the submarine sonar suites for the submarine classes USS Seawolf (SSN 21), USS Virginia (SSN 774) and USS Columbia (SSBN 826).

"The results of her technical efforts have contributed significantly to warfighter readiness," the award states.

White and Rivera will be presented with the NDIA Bronze Medal on Sept. 27 during the 2022 Joint USW Technology Fall Conference, which is being held Sept. 26-28, at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.

Join our team! NUWC Division Newport, one of the 20 largest employers in Rhode Island, employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts who wish to be at the forefront of undersea research and development. Please connect with NUWC Division Newport Recruiting at this site- https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/Career-Opportunities/ and follow us on LinkedIn @NUWC-Newport and on Facebook @NUWCNewport.