Dr. Damion D. Dunlap received BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in 2002, 2004, and 2011 respectively. His dissertation research developed a motion planning and control framework that enabled the solution of motion planning problems through the employment of predictive dynamic system models.
Dunlap joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) in 2010 where he conducts research in mine warfare and unmanned systems. He currently is the Program Executive Office Unmanned & Small Combatants Science & Technology Lead for Mine Warfare where he is heading the development and implementation of an S&T strategic plan for the PEO USC MIW future vision.
Dunlap received the 2017 NSWC PCD Command Excellence Award for Collaboration Excellence for leading the technology transition of Automatic Target Recognition to the MK-18 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle program. He also was a recipient of the 2015 and 2017 Technical Collaboration Panel (TTCP) Team Award in recognition of the significant contribution made toward improving the performance and survivability of maritime unmanned systems through the development, test and evaluation of autonomy.
As if he isn’t busy enough between career, coaching youth sports, leading a Lego robotics program, volunteering in schools and being a husband and father of five children, Jan. 21, 2018 Dunlap and his wife Tracy launched Truth Fellowship Community Church in Panama City Beach where he serves as lead pastor.
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Engineering recognized Dunlap in April 2018 as a Rising Star Alumni.