NCS Announces 2019 M&S Hall of Fame inductees

The National Center for Simulation (NCS) has selected three individuals who will be inducted into the NCS Modeling and Simulation Hall of Fame at a formal ceremony this summer. University of Central Florida’s Dr. Peter Adrian Hancock, UCF Provost Distinguished Research Professor, University Pegasus Professor and University Trustee Chair; Dr. Randall Paul Shumaker, director of the UCF School of Modeling, Simulation and Training and the Institute for Simulation and Training; and Michael Alan Tschanz, Walt Disney World’s director of Technology and Analysis.

George Cheros, president and CEO for the National Center forSimulation said, “This year all three 2019 honorees live and work in theCentral Florida region, a region that enjoys a $6-billion impact from the modeling,simulation and training industry. They, along with those recognized beforethem, have left a legacy in simulation for future generations – and this year'shonorees will continue to push the envelope every day.”

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for July 31at the Orange County Convention Center, south concourse, where the NCS Modelingand Simulation Hall of Fame “wall” is on permanent display.

DR. PETER ADRIAN HANCOCK

Dr. Peter Adrian Hancock is a UCF researcher and professor at the forefront of modeling and simulation since the late 1970s. His early work on modeling physiological systems influenced both national and international standards for Occupational Stress Exposure, and earned him honorary membership into the American Society for Heating, Radiation and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

In a professional career that extends more than forty years, Hancockconducted multiple projects for all branches of the U.S. military. His work forthe U.S. Air Force on dynamic function allocation helped influence the foundingof the Augmented Cognitive Society, earning him recognition as the AdmiralLeland Kollmorgan Award winner for his pioneering efforts. He was also thefirst to link together two, full-vehicle based ground simulation facilities fortesting and pioneering computer-based, information exchange protocols to allowfor real time interaction.

In addition, Hancock directed and oversaw the graduation of the firstsuccessful Ph.D. candidate at UCF, who conducted early, innovative work onaugmented reality.

Dr. Randall Paul Shumaker

As director of the new UCF School of Modeling, Simulation andTraining, and the Institute for Simulation and Training, Dr. Randall PaulShumaker leads one of the nation’s largest groups focused on modeling andsimulation (M&S) research and education. In addition, he manages the first,largest and most diverse M&S graduate programs in the U.S., supporting 120students in seven research tracks.

Before his work at IST, Shumaker was the Superintendent forInformation Technology at the Naval Research Laboratory and spearheadedresearch on a wide range of computing, networking and communicationsdisciplines with a staff of 300. His work there in human-computer interactionresulted in substantial gains for the virtual reality, training and simulationcommunity including at least two patent disclosures each year, and a $56-milliongrowth in sponsored research.

Early in his career with the Navy, Shumaker managed the exploratorydevelopment program for aircraft support and the technology program, where hisresearch contributions included automatic test and automation in aircraftsupport systems programming languages, software development and adaptivecontrol in computer-based systems. In addition to his abundant researchcontributions, Shumaker was also a dedicated educator over his career, teachingthroughout the U.S. and Europe, and even while attending graduate school.

Michael Alan Tschanz

Michael Alan Tschanz, director of technology and analysis forWalt Disney World, leads a multidisciplined team with more than 100 membersthat develop detailed mathematical and physics models for transportation, rideand animatronic systems, customer software and network applications androbotics. This group, within Walt Disney World’s Design and Engineering, isalso responsible for the development of optimization algorithms, servocontrollers, interactive/immersive experiences, and material process solutions.

Tschanz is a promoter and practitioner of modeling and simulationtechnologies and uses M&S to achieve design efficiencies and quality forthe modern industry automation and industrial world and the overall Internet ofThings (IOT). Throughout his career, he leveraged his application and use ofsimulation in aerospace and defense industries to bring simulation to theindustrial automation world.

He is a promoter of emerging simulation technologies like digital twinand operational and information technologies used to address some of industrialautomation’s most difficult challenges associated with predictive maintenance,reducing unplanned operational downtime, and reducing inventory and logisticscosts while improving customer experience.

Tschanz’s background includes designs of numerous attractions at variousDisney theme parks including: Test Track; Mission SPACE; Toy StoryMania! and Expedition Everest.