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 at SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Meet Yamini Namasivayam, IT Project Manager, Information Technology Services

Focus at SRI
I manage information technology (IT) projects involving application development, systems maintenance and upgrades, and technology migrations. My primary goal is to deliver the products and/or processes that result from these projects, on time and on budget, so that clients may achieve optimal productivity and peace of mind in performing their own jobs.

Day in the Life at SRI
A day at SRI for me consists of performing at least five or six different tasks. I typically work with a colleague reaching out to a collaborator and try to coordinate a new Wiki space, develop applications, respond to inquiries, and provide status on live projects.

Project work consists of answering emails and phone calls, reviewing specifications for a new software product we are developing, participating in meetings about upcoming projects, and discussing preliminary requirements.

Before SRI
Before SRI I worked as a system analyst at MCI and, prior to that, I worked as a computer engineer at DC Elcot Inc., in India.

Academics
B.S. in Computer Science Engineering, Bharat Engineering College (previously part of Madras University, now part of Bharat University)

Why SRI?
This is my home away from home. The great variety of people, projects, and technology at SRI keeps me consistently challenged. There is never a dull day -- new business requirements always emerge. SRI gives me the opportunity to continually learn new things. 

Inspiration and Motivation
I'm inspired by being part of a team that strives towards excellence, providing solutions and constantly thinking beyond user requirements, which motivates me to always do more. Support and mentoring from senior management help me test my abilities and seek my full potential.

What has changed in your field since you began your career, and what new or exciting trends are you seeing?
Emails are an ancient method of communication. Today's collaborative environment makes communication much more efficient, quantifiable, and it provides instant feedback. There is no more shortage of computer storage, memory, or CPU power -- just applications that use it all. New development tools help us build applications that utilize resources efficiently and provide a solution to business needs. Current communications technology helps ensure that the right people are alerted before problems become intractable.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment
I accomplished my dream of settling down in Silicon Valley, in a high-technology field, and helping a few of my friends and family migrate from the other side of the world to the U.S. and settle here. My other proudest accomplishment is to know that people feel comfortable about approaching me to ask for help and trusting me to always do the right thing.

Languages
I can read, write, and speak in English, Tamil (native language), and Hindi (slowly forgetting).

Away from the Office
Away from the office, I spend all my time with my family, husband, and two highly energetic boys. They keep me very busy. I like cooking dishes from various cuisines. We like to travel to places with beautiful scenery like Hawaii, or to sites that hold lot of history like India. We hike, swim, and watch movies together. My family makes me feel that every second of my life is worth living. 

Words of Wisdom for SRI Colleagues
Listen and understand the business needs of your clients, then work on finding simple and clean solutions. Be passionate, and really care, about what you do and get it done right. Take some time in your life to volunteer for charity work and make a change in a child’s life. One organization I volunteer for is children charity Siddha Sakthi Arutjothi Vallalar Kalvi Nilayam.

Meet Other Members of the SRI Team:

Computing and Engineering
Lori Adornato, Research Engineer, Optics Group, Marine Technology Program, St. Petersburg, Florida
Victor Aguero, Program Manager, Engineering & Systems Division

Derek Artz, Development Engineer, Instrumentation and Simulation Systems, Engineering & Systems

Hasan Bahcivan, Research Physicist, Geospace Studies, Engineering & Systems

John Brecht, Learning Technology Engineer, Center for Technology in Learning
Gary Bridges Director, Client Services, Cyber Security Research & Development Center
Linda Briesemeister, Sr. Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division
Michelle Delplanche, Software Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division

Grit Denker, Senior Computer Scientist, Computer Science Laboratory
Katherine Donaldson, Scientific Programmer/Analyst, Engineering & Systems Division
Lola Goheen, Senior Research Engineer, Applied Electromagnetics
Mike Hogsett, Senior Systems Administrator, Computer Science Laboratory
Hafeez Jaffer, Software Engineer, Communications and Radar Systems, Engineering & Systems Division
Jason Jenkins, Senior Systems Administrator, Artificial Intelligence Center
Mark Johnson, Program Manager, Software Engineering Program, San Luis Obispo
Theresa Keeler, Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division
Roy Kornbluh, Senior Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division
Larry Langebrake, Director, Marine Technology Program at SRI St. Petersburg
Tom Low, Program Director, Innovative Product Engineering and Technologies
Rich Mahoney, Director, Robotics Program, Engineering & Systems

Greg Myers, Program Director, Machine Vision, Engineering & Systems Division
Karen Myers, Program Director, Artificial Intelligence Center
Ron Pelrine, Program Director, Mobile Robotics and Transducers Program
Harsha Prahlad, Research Engineer, Mobile Robotics and Transducers Program

Marc Reed, Research Engineer, Marine Technology Program at St. Petersburg, Florida

Spiro Sarris, Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division, Communication and Radar Systems

Allen Takahashi, Senior Research Engineer, Communications and Signal Technology Laboratory
L. Lynn Voss, Software Engineering Program Manager at SRI in Helena, Montana

Kevin Willoh, Research Engineer, Engineering and Systems Division

Chemistry, Physics and Materials
Yigal Blum, Program Manager, Chemistry of Materials, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
Jim Colton, Director, Poulter Laboratory of Applied Mechanics
Christine Cuppoletti, Research Scientist, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
David Flamm, Principal Scientist/Program Manager, Applied Optics Laboratory
Indira Jayaweera, Senior Chemist/Hydrothermal Program Leader, Materials Research Laboratory

Jordi Perez, Materials Scientist, Materials Research Laboratory
Jeff Simons, Senior Computational Engineer, Center for Fracture Physics, Materials Research Laboratory
Priscila Spagnol, Senior Research Engineer, MicroScience Engineering Laboratories, Largo, Florida
David Stout, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Science and Technology, Physical Sciences Division
Robert E. Tokheim, Associate Department Director, Poulter Applied Mechanics
Diane Walter, Senior Research Engineer, Applied Optics Laboratory

Drug Discovery, Drug Development, and Health
Rae Lyn Burke, Senior Director, Vaccine and Biotherapeutics Development
Nathan Collins, Executive Director, Drug Discovery, Biosciences Division

Annalisa D'Andrea, Senior Director, Immunology and Inflammation, Biosciences Division
Amit Galande, Associate Director, Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry, Shenandoah Valley
Mary Ann Greco, Program Director, Behavioral Biochemistry, Biosciences Division
Carol Green, Senior Director, Toxicology and Metabolism, Biosciences Division
Ling Jong, Program Director, Medicinal Chemistry Department
Lisa Jack, Assistant Director / Public Health Researcher, Center for Health Sciences
Keith Laderoute, Director, Cancer Biology Program
Juan Orduna, Drug Efficacy Program Biologist, Medicinal Chemistry Department, Biosciences Division
Helen Parish, Director, Analytical Chemistry Department
Torsten Rohlfing, Senior Research Scientist, Neuroscience Program, Center for Health Sciences
Gita Shankar, Senior Scientist/ Project Leader, Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Biosciences Division
Jennie Wang, Program Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Biosciences Division
Chun Yang, Chemist, Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Biosciences Division

Education, Science and Technology Policy, and Economic Development
David Cheney, Director, Science and Technology Policy Program, SRI in Washington, D.C.
Geneva Haertel, Director of Assessment Research and Design, Center for Technology in Learning
Daniel Humphrey, Associate Director, Center for Education Policy
Melissa Koch, Senior Educational Developer, Center for Technology in Learning
Vera Michalchik, Research Social Scientist, Center for Technology in Learning

Mary Wagner, Director, Center for Education and Human Services

Environment and Energy
Jim Colton, Director, Poulter Laboratory of Applied Mechanics
Jeff Coron, Environmental Engineer, Envirotechnical Program
Barbara Heydorn, Director, Center of Excellence in Energy

Indira Jayaweera, Senior Chemist/Hydrothermal Program Leader, Materials Research Laboratory

Roy Kornbluh, Senior Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division

Ron Pelrine, Program Director, Mobile Robotics and Transducers Program

Jordi Perez, Materials Scientist, Materials Research Laboratory
Harsha Prahlad, Research Engineer, Mobile Robotics and Transducers Program

Business Development
Maggie Baxter-Pearson, Contracts Manager, Engineering & Systems Division
Ed Davis, Senior IP Advisor and IP Office Manager
Kurt Fulkerson, Manager, Business Development, Transportation Markets
Phil Harman, Director, Congressional Relations, SRI in Washington, D.C.

Barbara Heydorn, Director, Center of Excellence in Energy
Youssef Iguider, Director of Business Development, SRI Japan
Osamu Karatsu, Executive Director, SRI Japan

Chris Lantman, Director of Commercial and International Business Development, Physical Sciences Division
John McIntire Associate General Counsel, Legal and Business Affairs
Nancy Moy, Research Analyst, Federal Business Development, SRI in Washington, D.C.
Satomi Ouchi, Senior Manager, Business Development, SRI Japan
Mary Scott, Administrative Analyst, Business Development, SRI in Washington, D.C.
Laleh Shayesteh, Director of Intellectual Property, Biosciences
Christine Stensig, Specialist Technical Writer/Editor, Engineering & Systems Division
Philip von Guggenberg, Director of Business Development, Engineering & Systems Division

Administration and Corporate Activities
Richard Bullert, HR Records Specialist, Human Resources Department
Sandy Hinzmann, Manager Staff Programs & Transportation
Walt Kyle, Supervisor, Information Protection, Corporate Security Department
Marty Mallonee, Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communications
Yamini Namasivayam, IT Project Manager, Information Technology Services
Roger Sherman, Information Specialist, Information Technology Services, Archiving and Research (SRI Library)
Jan Teichman, Director, Environmental Heath & Safety
Lori Truitt, Administrative Analyst, Computer Science Laboratory