I am focused on the nature of teamwork and performance though the study and design of socio-technical systems. I like to innovate by doing, including observation of teamwork, systems modeling, interactive visualization, behavior-based simulation, and cross-functional workshops for real-world complex missions. With over 26 years of industrial experience, I bring a background of technology development, rollout, and sustainable operations in aerospace, automotive, heavy machinery, transportation, energy, telecom, and global services. Most of the programs I’ve worked on have been cross-cultural as well as technically complex.

After graduating from MIT, I was lucky to be one of the first foreign engineers at Nissan Motors in Oppama, Japan. At Nissan I applied artificial intelligence to computer-aided design, multi-objective optimization, and robotic control problems. I lived in Japan for 10 years and since have spent a least a few months in Japan each year. For a decade with United Technologies (UTC), I established strategy and operation for UTC collaboration across Asia with industrial partners, universities, and national R& D programs. In the 1990’s I was a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, Department of Precision Machinery Engineering. With Professor Fumihiko Kimura I formed a research team on the coordination of complex, global projects.

I remain connected to the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at the University of Tokyo where I received a doctorate. I now lead multi-disciplinary research on complex sociotechnical systems as a Project Associate Professor and Director of the Global Teamwork Lab (GTL). I split my professional time three ways: in Japan with U Tokyo, in Boston in my roles at MIT, and in the field deploying new methods and tools at the business I founded called Global Project Design (GPD). I also get a chance to teach project design and complex project management, recently with PMI, PMAJ, ISPE, University of Denver, Virginia Tech, and Keio.

At MIT I am the Academic Director of System Design & Management (SDM), a graduate program offered jointly by the Schools of Engineering and Management. I am responsible for the quality of education and research, including my role as lead instructor for an integrated, 9 months, core curriculum that integrates System Architecture, Systems Engineering, and Program Engineering.

Starting with my undergraduate experience at MIT, I believe strongly in engagement of scientists and technologists in public life. I was president of the student body at MIT for two years. I serve on the Hugh Hampton Young (HHY) Council, which manages the trust and selects fellows from the MIT community.