The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (AFIT GSEM), in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Strategic Deterrence S&T Division (AFRL/RJD), is proud to announce the 2026-2028 academic appointments for the endowed term chairs for nuclear systems.  Pictured is Col. Jesse Foster (left), former endowed chair, with AFIT’s newly appointed endowed term chairs, Dr. Zach Meisel (center) and Lt. Col. Robert MacDermott.  (U.S. Air Force contributed photo)

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (AFIT GSEM), in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Strategic Deterrence S&T Division (AFRL/RJD), is proud to announce the 2026-2028 academic appointments for the Endowed Term Chairs for Nuclear Systems.

As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments, supporting more informed and effective decision-making.

An endowed term chair is a technical point-of-contact for the collaborative relationship appointed to a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and excellence in scholarly achievement.

Dr. Zach Meisel, associate professor of nuclear engineering, has been appointed to a two-year term as the new Endowed Term Chair for Nuclear System Science. He succeeds Col. Jesse Foster, who previously served as an inaugural chair. Lt. Col. Robert MacDermott, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, has been approved for an extension to his initial term as the Endowed Term Chair for Nuclear System Technology.

Dr. Meisel is an associate professor of nuclear engineering in AFIT’s Department of Engineering Physics. He earned his Doctorate in Physics from Michigan State University in 2015. Dr. Meisel has expertise in nuclear physics, radiation detection and measurement, and modeling and measurement of radiation-matter interactions.

Lt. Col. Robert MacDermott is an assistant professor of aerospace engineering in AFIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and deputy director of AFIT’s Applied Research Center for Hypersonics (ARCH). He earned his Doctorate in Astronautical Engineering from AFIT in 2021. Lt. Col. MacDermott specializes in hypersonics and has expertise in flight vehicle systems, modeling and simulation, optical radiation, and signature related phenomena.

Endowed Term Chairs MacDermott and Meisel will facilitate AFIT/AFRL research in nuclear systems and serve as advocates of the AFRL mission within AFIT.

These appointments underscore the robust and growing collaborative relationship between AFRL/RJD and two of AFIT’s Centers of Excellence:  Nuclear Expertise for Advancing Technologies (NEAT) Center and ARCH. Furthermore, this partnership strengthens AFIT’s support of the AFRL Science & Technology research mission in next-generation nuclear systems and enhances the readiness of AFIT graduates to meet the challenges of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) nuclear deterrence mission. As one of the longest-running continuous reservoirs nuclear effects expertise in DAF, AFIT provides key competencies to complement AFRL’s research in nuclear systems.

"The Endowed Term Chair program is a vital link in the technology maturation chain that enables the laboratory to effectively engage academia, develop our workforce of the future, and spur innovation for national-level nuclear modernization objectives," said Lt. Col. James Bevins, AFIT alumni and materiel leader, AFRL Strategic Deterrence S&T Division.

"By dedicating experts like Dr. Meisel and Lt. Col. MacDermott to these roles, we ensure the United States remains at the forefront of nuclear science and technological superiority."

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/ or contact GSEM outreach at AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil. 

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the Department of the Air Force’s primary scientific research and development center and one of six centers within Air Force Materiel Command. AFRL leads the discovery, development and delivery of technologies for air, space and the multidomain. With a workforce spanning seven mission areas at more than 40 locations worldwide, AFRL conducts research ranging from basic science to advanced technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.