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.

David Flamm, Principal Scientist/Program Manager, Applied Control and Signal Processing (ACSP) Program

Focus @ SRI:
I work on applications of feedback control systems, signal processing, and applied math more generally. I manage a small group called the Applied Control and Signal Processing Program.

Day in the Life @ SRI:
A composite over time: The majority of my time goes to technical work - studying literature, deriving equations, designing and simulating systems or analyzing experimental data in Matlab, then writing reports, and preparing and giving briefings. Lately, I've been writing systems engineering documentation, largely to nail down the design behind the documents. The project work is punctuated by several weeks of intense proposal activity several times a year. I try to read the research postings on Federal Business Opportunities every day to keep up on potential new work. I'm usually also leading a project, sometimes more than one, or tasks within a larger project. This involves budgetary and staffing concerns in addition to technical direction.

Before SRI:
My previous job was Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University. Before that I was Manager of the Space Structures Control Section at The Aerospace Corporation.

Academics:
Ph.D., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT
B.S., Electrical Engineering (and Mathematics), Stanford University

Why SRI?
First, I believe in nonprofits. Second, the people here are balanced, smart and friendly, and they are enjoying their jobs. The atmosphere here encourages employees to work on projects in which they are interested and that they believe are worthwhile, and the organization makes it possible.

Inspiration and Motivation:
My motivation is the desire to figure things out, plus an internal drive to provide a clear and simple explanation. I am not good at "good enough."

Away from the Office:
Family activities dominate. I also referee youth soccer games, and jog frequently. Lately, I've been reading a lot; it's rather surprising how some very good books can be so effective at putting you to sleep (e.g., Collapse, by Jared Diamond).

Languages:
Spanish (I lived in Puerto Rico ages 2 through 12). Some French and Italian.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
I started to say that I am not a proud person, but above I almost said that I am motivated by pride in craftsmanship, which I am, so I'll say it here. I feel pride in making something I figured out seem simple, or in describing it clearly for others. Then I move on to the next problem.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
Expect an interplay of individualism and teamwork here. Most new employees should actively make contacts, both inside and outside SRI, for the sake of creating opportunities and knowing where to go for another area of expertise. Monitor external research announcements.