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Dr. J. Wesley Regian, with an illustrious career in Cognitive Science, has been at the forefront of advancements in Modeling and Simulation. Educated at renowned institutions like the University of California and the University of Texas, his three-decade-long journey has seen him contribute to significant organizations like the Air Force Research Laboratory, Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and PeopleTec, where he occupies esteemed positions, such as Lead Scientist and Senior Technical Fellow.
2023 has been a landmark year for Dr. Regian. He has actively engaged in technical research, resulting in the authorship of three papers his scientific peers have lauded. These include "Behavioral Cybersecurity: Cognitive Vulnerabilities and Hacking Humans," presented at the 67th International Annual Meeting, and two pivotal papers presented at the I/ITSEC Conference in Orlando, FL - "How Large Language Models Translate Raw Data into Expert Rules" and "Dangers and Solutions for Systematic Misinformation at Scale."
It's essential to emphasize the prominence of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world's most significant event in modeling, simulation, and training. Annually attracting between 17,000 and 20,000 attendees, I/ITSEC is incredibly selective, with only a quarter of the submitted abstracts getting accepted. Dr. Regian's dual contributions to this esteemed conference are, thus, especially commendable. His papers, delving deep into the burgeoning field of AI, shed light on the potential and challenges of large language models, offering insights into harnessing their capabilities while ensuring their safe utilization.
His impressive legacy includes creating over 50 Intelligent computer-assisted instruction systems for military applications and a bibliography of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles. His success securing $40 million in funding over his career from competitive proposals speaks volumes about his peers' and institutions' confidence in his work. With accolades ranging from three Air Force Human Resources Laboratory Scientific Excellence Awards to the title of Texas State Scientist of the Year in 1997, his recognition is widespread and well-deserved.
Dr. Regian's influence isn't limited to his research. He has been an ardent mentor at PeopleTec while previously guiding students at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs and an educator, teaching subjects from Social Psychology to Advanced Graduate Statistics.
Dr. J. Wesley Regian's contributions, characterized by pioneering research, mentoring the next generation, and consistent achievements, make him an exceptional contender for the Best Technical Professional of the Year. His work in 2023, especially in AI and its implications, further cements his position as a leader and visionary.
Nomination Title: Dr. J. Wesley Regian
