Terry Allard, Ph.D.
Head, Warfighter Performance Department
Dr. Terry Allard leads the planning and execution of Office of Naval Research (ONR) Warfighter Performance Science and Technology (S&T) overseeing a broad research portfolio including human systems integration, operational health and bioengineered systems. He creates and implements the vision, strategic direction, advocacy and oversight of over 350 research & technology development projects and over $180million (FY09) of 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 budgets annually. He is also responsible for ensuring the safety and privacy of human subjects in Navy and Marine Corps research studies. Dr. Allard entered the Senior Executive Service in August 2000 at NASA Ames Research Center. He entered the FAA Executive Service in June 2006 and reentered the US Senior Executive Service as an ONR Department Head in May 2008. He began his government service 20 years ago as an ONR Science Officer.
Beginning in June 2006, Dr. Allard served as the Senior Executive for Human Factors Research and Engineering at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He advised the FAA Administrator and other senior leaders on all matters related to aviation human factors while managing the Human Factors Research and Engineering program and, developing a human factors research and engineering vision for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). In 2005, Dr. Allard created a broad Human-Systems Integration research program for the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in direct support of human space exploration. This HSI program covered training, design, medical requirements, behavioral health and safety risk management to prepare humans for extended space missions. In 2003 and 2004, Allard served as interim director of Advanced Space Technologies for the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. In this role, he created and managed a broad, multi-disciplinary research and technology program that included computer science, robotics and autonomy, materials and structures, power management and distribution, propulsion systems, and astronaut behavioral and physiological health.
In 1999, Dr. Allard began his Senior Executive Service tenure as Chief of the Human Factors Research & Technology Division at NASA Ames Research Center. In this role, he managed nearly 200 researchers, engineers and support staff addressing basic and applied research in aviation and human and robotic space exploration. From 1990 through 1999, Dr. Allard served as an ONR Program Officer managing an integrated science and technology portfolio that included virtual environment training technologies and human-systems engineering to reduce workload and manning requirements for Navy and Marine Corps operations.
Dr. Allard received a Ph.D. in psychology and brain science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on human neuropsychology, speech sciences, phonology and psychophysics. He did postdoctoral work in animal behavior and the neurophysiology of learning, memory and self-organizing systems at the University of California, San Francisco. These experiences led to peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Brain, Journal of Neurophysiology and Nature in additional to multiple book chapters. He was a member of the inaugural Defense Leadership and Management Program (DLAMP) program completing graduate business coursework in a wide range of topics.
In 1995, Dr. Allard was the ONR representative to the successful CNO-sponsored Smart Ship project to reduce workload on surface ships. Dr. Allard’s professional awards include Naval Civilian Meritorious Service Medal; NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal; NASA Group Achievement Award for Exploration Systems Research and Technology; and Hammer Award for Reinventing Government from the Office of the Vice President as a member of the Smart Ship team among other awards. He was invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology. He was awarded the David D. Henry Award as outstanding graduate of his Wayne State University graduating class. He has been a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is a current member of the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.