Dr. Steven N. Thorsen
Associate Director
Dr. Steven N. Thorsen is the Associate Director, Scientific Test and Analysis Techniques Center of Excellence (STAT COE) and is also an Adjunct Professor of Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). As Associate Director, he is responsible, under the Director, for executing the Center's mission to provide independent advice and assistance to designated major acquisition programs in the application of scientific test and analysis techniques in the development of test & evaluation strategies and plans. The Center also conducts externally funded applied STAT research, provides STAT education, and develops best practices and case studies in the employment of STAT.
Dr. Thorsen is a 22-year retired USAF officer with over 25 years of experience leading scientific and technical efforts. His recent projects include leading the STAT COE effort to improve test rigor and capability for unmanned laboratory test studies to rapidly investigate the F-35’s in-flight, unexplained physiological episodes using design of experiment (DOE) approaches. He also brought rigorous, defensible test strategies to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Simulation Environment Verification, Validation, & Accreditation Team. Additionally, he led the Simulation and Analysis Facility (SIMAF) at Wright Patterson AFB effort in creating, analyzing, and defending an analytic framework to support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance-based decisions.
Dr. Thorsen is an internationally recognized authority on information fusion, having published over 20 journal and conference papers in the field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s degree in Mathematics from East Carolina University, as well as a doctoral degree in Applied Mathematics from AFIT. He is also a graduate of Air Command & Staff College, Air War College, and Joint Forces Staff College.
Commissioned a Lieutenant in the US Air Force 1993, Dr. Thorsen served with distinction, including a tour with the National Military Academy of Afghanistan as advisor to the Commandant of Cadets and the Dean of Faculty. He has had two tours with the US Air Force Academy culminating as Deputy Department Head for the Department of Mathematical Sciences. His final joint tour was as the Deputy Director for Operations at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, Dahlgren, VA where he led and managed the strategic engagement, personnel, budget, travel, and training of 180 personnel working joint requirements for precision targeting from all geographic combatant commanders and several Task Forces.
Dr. Thorsen’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and NATO medal.