MEET THE TEAM
Jasper Baur
Co-Founder and President
Jasper Baur cofounded the Demining Research Community in 2020, and is the Lead Scientist at Safe Pro AI where he is developing software to detect landmines from drone imagery. Baur is a PhD candidate at Columbia University studying remote sensing applied to explosive hazard mitigation ranging from detecting small anti-personnel landmines to monitoring Alaskan volcanoes. He graduated from Binghamton University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences, and a master’s from Columbia University in 2022 in physical volcanology. He has received numerous awards for his work in landmine detection and is always striving to innovate in the humanitarian mine action space. He is an FAA 107 certified UAS remote pilot and has months of fieldwork experience in remote environments.
Gabriel Steinberg
Co-Founder and VP
Gabriel Steinberg completed his Computer Science B.S. at Binghamton University in January 2021. During this time he worked as an undergraduate research assistant focusing on data science and machine learning applications in computer vision, bioinformatics, passive bioacoustic monitoring, and large-scale software agent simulations. In his junior year, he was awarded a grant from the Center for Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems at Binghamton University to apply machine learning to automate the Geophysics and Remote Sensing Laboratory’s manual drone-based landmine detection system. Since October 2019, he has immersed himself in the field of drone-imagery-based computer vision for the purpose of detecting explosive remnants of war (ERW) in post-conflict and conflict nations. He has published this research in Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction and Remote Sensing and has presented at key engineering, geophysics and humanitarian mine action conferences.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Tim de Smet
Director of Geophysics & Remote Sensing Laboratory at Binghamton University
Timothy S. de Smet, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies, Director of the Geophysics and Remote Sensing Laboratory, and leader of the Geospatial Remote Sensing/Environmental Visualization with Drones research stream in the First-year Research Immersion at Binghamton University. His areas of expertise are aerial remote sensing and near-surface applied geophysics. Dr. de Smet’s research utilizing frequency and time-domain electromagnetic-induction, magnetometry, ground-penetrating radar, and aerial LiDAR and thermal infrared remote sensing has been published in Geophysics, Remote Sensing, Near Surface Geophysics, Journal of Applied Geophysics, Sedimentary Geology, PLOS ONE, Archaeological Prospection, and The Leading Edge. Dr. de Smet has received funding for his research from the National Science Foundation, National Park Service, and United States Geological Survey. He is an FAA 107 certified UAS remote pilot.
Dr. John Frucci
Director of the Institute for Global Explosive Hazard Mitigation at Oklahoma State University, School of Forensic Sciences
John J. Frucci III is currently employed at Oklahoma State University as an Assistant Professor in the School of Forensic Sciences. He has been with OSU for 9 years and is the Program Director of the Arson and Explosive Investigation graduate program. He is also the Director for Fire & Explosives, Forensic Investigations Training & Research, CENFEX and Founder of the Institute for Global Explosive Hazard Mitigation. Frucci began his law enforcement career in 1992 as a Sheriff's Officer with the Essex County Sheriff's Office in Newark, N.J. He was initially assigned to the uniform division, and then promoted to Detective in 94 assigned to the fugitive squad. In 96 he was transferred to the Essex County Arson Task Force as a Fire and Post-Blast Investigator. In 02 he was transferred to the Bomb Squad as a Bomb Technician, where he completed his career as the Bomb Squad Commander. Frucci earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Rutgers University in 1997. He earned his master's degree in education administration in 2000 and his education specialist degree in education administration and supervision in 2006, both from Seton Hall University. He earned a master’s degree in explosive’s technology from Missouri S&T in 2020. He earned his Doctorate from OSU in 2018. Frucci has been a member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators for over 20 years and is currently serving as the 2nd International Director.
Martin Jebens
Weapon Contamination Specialist at International Committee of the Red Cross
Martin Jebens is a consultant working for the Weapon Contamination Unit at the International Committee of the Red Cross, leading an R&D project which assess how airborne remote sensing and AI can improve the capability of detecting weapons after war and conflict. Mr. Jebens has in the past worked in the field of disaster risk management and sustainability. He has a strong focus on the use of innovation, improved coordination, risk awareness and planning to improve humanitarian action and to reduce risks and use the SDG´s and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction as guiding tools. He has a background in mine action where he was GIS manager for 6 years; in flood risk management where he was the focal point for making risk assessments for the Danish government; and in exploration geology in northern Scandinavia and Greenland.
Dr. Linda Miller
Adjunct Faculty at Jack Welch Management Institute
Linda is a certified public accountant with 40 years of accounting, finance, and management experience, primarily in the financial services and automotive industries. Linda started her career in taxation in Dallas and switched to corporate finance in 1991 at Chrysler. Her automotive career with Chrysler and DaimlerChrysler included senior management positions in treasury, financial reporting, controlling, financial planning & analysis, international operations, and taxation. Linda's capital markets experience allowed her to be a major contributor during Daimler’s sale of Chrysler business units to Cerberus Capital Management. Since her retirement from Chrysler in 2011, she has served in a variety of finance and project roles as a consultant with Fortune 100 companies and nonprofit organizations. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration - Accounting from Drake University, a Master of Accounting Science degree from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and an MBA – Finance from Wayne State University. She has previously taught at Drake, the University of Illinois, and Oakland Community College, and is currently a Senior Associate Professor of Finance with Jack Welch Management Institute. Linda is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Michigan.
Dr. Alex Nikulin
Associate Professor of Energy Geophysics at Binghamton University
Professor Alex Nikulin earned his PhD from Rutgers University in 2011 and joined the Binghamton University faculty as an assistant professor in 2015. His research focuses on the broad field of Energy Geophysics, with applications in classic seismology, exploration geophysics, as well as the emerging field of automated geophysical surveying. Professor Nikulin is a co-founder of the Geophysics and Remote Sensing Research Laboratory at Binghamton University, a collaborative academic platform that brings together undergraduate and graduate researchers, faculty from multiple departments of Binghamton University, as well as multiple industry, academic, government, and NGO partners, to work on resolving critical issues facing society through innovative applications of geophysical techniques.
Adonica Randall
President and Chief Problem Solver of Abaxent LLC
Adonica Randall is President and Chief Problem Solver of Abaxent, LLC, a 20-year-old, certified MBE/WBE technology solutions company and President of joint venture AbaCor, a workforce development for underutilized and untapped talent pools. With over 40 years of technical and business experience, she has specialized in development of business startups, new services and process improvement, with experience across a variety of industries including healthcare, insurance, manufacturing and construction. Adonica has served in technical, sales and management positions at General Motors, GE Medical Systems, IBM and the AO Smith Engineering Division as well as starting multiple Professional Services businesses. Adonica received her Master of Engineering degree in Biomedical/ Electrical Engineering from Marquette University and her B.S. in Computer Science from Missouri School of Science and Technology. Adonica is a Professor Emeritus from Alverno College Business School and is the creator of Computing and Information Technology and Business Analytics degrees. Her sabbatical research was in AI and Machine Learning. Notable service: Entrepreneur in Residence at Marquette University, Minority Business Economic Input Committee 1st Vice Chair for North Central Minority Supplier Development Council, and Ambassador for Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (Wisconsin), Board Member of National Association of Minority Contractors, African Heritage International and local Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Valley community organizations. Newly Appointed WI Automated Vehicle External (WAVE) Advisory Committee, Enterprising Women Advisory Board, UW-Green Bay EDI Subcommittee and UW Erdman Madison Business School. Membership: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Women in Technology, Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Northeastern Wi Manufacturing Association & the U.S. National Black Chamber. She is an author and a well-recognized thought leader that speaks widely on the future of women and minorities in STEM. careers.
UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
Namrita Singh
Programme Officer at Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
Namrita Singh joined the GICHD in September 2019. As programme officer, she works closely with the Head of Division, the Deputy Head and the Advisors to support the substantive, financial and administrative aspects of their work. She participates in project management and contributes to project design, research, resource mobilization, donor reporting as well as field visits and training workshops in mine-affected countries. Namrita Singh previously served as a Junior Programme Officer for one year. Prior to joining the GICHD, Namrita Singh completed internship placements with CARE International and Action for Development under the United Nations Economic and Security Council in Geneva as well as with BRICS International Forum and the Government of India. Namrita Singh holds an MA in International Relations majoring in Conflict and Security studies from the Graduate Institute, Geneva. She also holds a post graduate diploma in Women’s and Gender Studies and a BA in Economics (Honors) from the University of Delhi.
Greg Urbanchuk
Founder & Managing Director at Countermark Group
Greg Urbanchuk is the founder and managing director of Countermark Group. He has over twenty years of experience providing forensic, dispute, and valuation consulting services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Previously, Greg worked for boutique, regional, and national consulting firms, including Deloitte LLP in London. Greg serves as an expert witness in complex commercial litigation in the areas of intellectual property, commercial damages, and valuation. He has evaluated damages and testified in cases claiming patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, the misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract. Greg has significant experience analyzing economic damages and restitution using the lost profits, reasonable royalty, disgorgement, and diminution of value methodologies. He has also testified on the value of intellectual property and businesses in shareholder, acquisition, and bankruptcy disputes. Greg has qualified and testified as an expert witness in federal and state courts in the United States. Outside of litigation, Greg values public and privately held businesses and intellectual property in connection with mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, taxation, and estate planning. He has significant expertise with the valuation of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, brands, license agreements, software, and customer and vendor relationships, among others. Greg has provided valuation services in numerous industries such as life sciences, healthcare, technology, consumer, manufacturing, and financial services. His writing has appeared in numerous publications such as the Oxford Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice, les Nouvelles, the International Company and Commercial Law Review, the Computer & Internet Lawyer, and Intellectual Property Litigation, among others.
Debra Wolniak
CEO / Founder of DonorNurture.com
Debra Wolniak graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a Clothing Textile Design and Business Administration degree. She is pursuing her Master’s with the Jack Welch Management Institute. Debra’s career experience includes research and development of protective clothing for people in hazardous industries; television production and communications; philanthropy and non-profit fundraising; business development, revenue generation and process engineering. She is the CEO/Founder of DonorNurture.com which helps others fulfill their mission and vision to develop viable revenue sources and fund products and services around the globe. She is a certified trainer for Prepare-Enrich, which enables counselors, clergy, and business leaders to teach best practices for relationship development in the home and workplace. She has served on many boards, including the National Association of Relationship and Marriage Education.