Meet Our People

SRI's innovative thinking depends directly on the people who work here. Meet members of our team in Computing and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Materials, Drug Discovery, Drug Development and Health, Economics and Education, Environment and Energy, Business Development, and Administration and Corporate Activities, and learn why they joined SRI—you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Meet John Brecht, Learning Technology Engineer, Center for Technology in Learning, SRI in Menlo Park

Focus @ SRI:
I investigate the potential of emerging technologies for improving instruction, assessment, and other aspects of education. I am particularly interested in collaborative and visualization technologies.

Day in the Life @ SRI:
Most of my time is spent at my desk in front of a computer (or two) where I'm either writing software, reading up on tech trends, exchanging emails with colleagues, or working on papers or proposals. The rest is spent in meetings that range from high-level strategy to multidisciplinary design to developer discussions.

Before SRI:
SRI has been my one professional position. I came here directly from grad school.

Academics:
B.S., Astrophysics, Michigan State University
M.S., Physics, Michigan State University

Why SRI?
I was originally attracted to SRI by a very particular task - working in the Center for Technology in Learning (CTL) in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence Center (AIC) to develop an educational application of AIC's Digital Earth technology. I was attracted as this project included many of my interests at the time under one roof - virtual reality, earth science, education, and computer networking. What keeps me here is the continuous stream of projects that suit my jack-of-all-trades, left- and right-brained mindset.

Inspiration and Motivation:
I am privileged to work with outstanding colleagues who expand my horizons and challenge my thinking. Through the nature of the work and my colleagues I learn and grow constantly. I also have the opportunity to have an impact on education, which I consider to be a critical component of democracy, progress, and improvement of the human condition, and a component that could really use some improvement at this point in history, both locally and globally.

What has changed in your field since you began your career, and what new or exciting trends are you seeing?
Personal, mobile, networked computing has become truly ubiquitous, as CTL has long anticipated. We are now able to practically realize a wide range of educational technology goals as expressed in our WILD (Wireless Internet Learning Devices) research.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
Participating in the design, development (and soon patenting) of GroupScribbles - a collaborative application for handhelds, tablets, and other mobile devices. GroupScribbles has excited and inspired researchers and educators worldwide with its great potential for providing simple, flexible coordination of collaborative activities from the classroom to the boardroom.

Languages:
English and a little Spanish

Away from the Office:
Outside of SRI I write science fiction, am a hip-hop DJ, and regularly participate in the Burning Man project. I also enjoy backpacking in the California wilderness and all the tastes and cultural experiences that San Francisco has to offer.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
Surround yourself with contrast and color to stay sharp, challenged, and inspired.