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Dr. Edward R. Franchi

Dr. Edward R. Franchi graduated from Clarkson University in 1968, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He received his Master of Science (1970) and Ph.D. (1973) degrees both in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Dr. Franchi is NRL's Associate Director of Research for the Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate, which performs research in the fields of acoustics, remote sensing, oceanography, marine geosciences, marine meteorology, and space science.

Dr. Franchi joined the Naval Research Laboratory in 1975 as a research mathematician in the Acoustics Division. In 1986, he was named head of the Acoustic Systems Branch where he was responsible for programs that emphasized theoretical, experimental, and computational research to understand the physical mechanisms of acoustic propagation, scattering, and ambient noise that control the design and performance of large aperture passive sonar systems, low frequency active sonar systems, and shallow water sonar systems. In July 1988, Dr. Franchi was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and selected as the Associate Technical Director of the Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity (NORDA) and its Director of Ocean Acoustics and Technology. The Directorate conducted basic, exploratory and advanced research and development and program management in the areas of acoustic model development and simulation, ocean acoustics measurements, and ocean engineering in support of all undersea warfare missions. In October 1992, the Directorate became the Center for Environmental Acoustics in NRL's Acoustics Division, with Dr. Franchi as Director. Dr. Franchi was selected Superintendent of the Acoustics Division in October 1993. He served as Acting Associate Director of Research for the Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate between October 2001 and May 2002 and from June 2007 to April 2008. Dr. Franchi was designated Associate Director of Research for the Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate in April 2008.

Dr. Franchi received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in 2003. He has over 35 years experience in underwater acoustics research and is the author/co-author of over 35 publications. He is recognized as an authority on underwater acoustic scattering and reverberation and has played major roles in Navy low frequency active sonar programs as both performer and advisor/consultant. He has served as the U.S. National Leader of the Technical Cooperation Program's multinational Panel on ASW Systems and Technology from 1996 to 2002, and has served as its Panel Chairman from 2003 to present. He serves as U.S. representative to the Scientific Communities of National Representatives to the NATO Undersea Research Centre from 2007 to present. He was elected to Pi Mu Epsilon, the Honorary National Mathematics Society, while an undergraduate at Clarkson University. Dr. Franchi is a member of the Acoustical Society of America and past member of the Mathematical Association of America.