Dr. Matt Domonkos is the Senior Director of the High Power Systems Group of Verus Research. As a recognized leader in high-power microwave (HPM) technologies and high-energy density plasma sources with over 20 years’ experience in government research laboratories and industry, Matt acts as a principal investigator, program manager, and technical advisor while leading efforts in directed energy test and evaluation, applied nuclear research, and systems engineering and development.
Matt previously led the Tactical Systems Development portfolio at Verus Research which seeks to equip warfighters and law enforcement with non-lethal counter-electronics capabilities. A primary area of emphasis is pulsed power-driven HPM systems for test ranges and specific applications. The science and technology underpinning these systems cuts across many disciplines, paving the way for new applications enabled by HPM and plasma science.
Prior to entering the commercial sector, Matt served as a civilian scientist and program manager in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s High Power Microwave Division. He collaborated on the development of annual technology investment strategies, coordinating high-priority technical objectives among the core-competencies of HPM sources, pulsed power, high-energy density plasmas, and ultrashort pulse lasers. Matt successfully executed multi-million dollar budgets to achieve internal and customer-funded research objectives, employing a combination of government, contractor, and academic scientists and engineers. Matt also worked in the On-Board Propulsion Branch at National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John H. Glenn Research center, where he developed advanced diagnostics for ion and Hall propulsion systems. Matt has been sought for peer review of major research solicitations within the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and NASA.
Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree and doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan. Matt’s graduate studies concentrated in the area of electric propulsion for spacecraft. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and conference presentations.