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 Kevin Willoh, Research Engineer, Engineering & Systems Division

Focus at SRI:
I work on a variety of stimulating and compelling problems, applying my knowledge of programming, algorithm development, and data analysis—mostly math/physics or experimental stuff—to find solutions that will positively affect our lives.

Day in the Life at SRI:
There is never a typical day for me.  Some days I can be found wearing a wetsuit in SRI’s Max Hammond wavetank, getting ready to run an experiment researching alternative energy. Other days I might be writing code or using various electronic test instruments. On some Monday afternoons I’ll attend an onsite technical seminar—one of the many valuable opportunities available at SRI to share ideas, learn the latest research on a variety of topics, and enhance my skills.

Before SRI:
Following graduate school, I worked as a nuclear engineer at GE Nuclear Energy, then I worked for a time at a Silicon Valley start-up. 

Academics:
BS Mathematics, University of Toledo

MS Mathematics, Michigan State University

Why SRI?
I was attracted by the people and by the breadth of problems we tackle. You really can’t go wrong working on challenges of worldwide relevance, with colleagues who are talented, highly educated, and have great, unique personalities.

Inspiration and Motivation:
I love to work on new things, or in areas I have little experience in, where I can build my knowledge base while adding my novel perspective. I find this rewarding and downright fun.

What has changed in your field since you began your career, and what new or exciting trends are you seeing?
The path to market for new ideas has changed profoundly as the means of funding has moved from large corporations to local investors. Technology commercialization is now more agile, rapid and vibrant.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
I tend not to view life in terms of milestones. I simply really enjoy solving problems: from the relatively small and mundane to those that represent complex, pressing, life-changing issues. Being involved in the process of studying and finding a solution to these problems is an ongoing, special achievement to me. 

Languages:

I am well versed in a variety of “geek” languages including, but not limited to, C, Pascal, FORTRAN, LaTeX, MATLAB, MathCad, and IDL.  Honestly—I do get out of the lab sometimes!

Away from the Office:
Away from the office I can usually be found climbing various large granite walls (probably in Yosemite), but certainly somewhere in the Sierras… Occasionally, I might go SCUBA diving or just curl up on a couch and watch some cool independent movie.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
Get out and meet as many people as possible at SRI.  There are many bright individuals and teams working in a variety of areas—thus there are tons of opportunities for collaboration if you just take the time to explore!