In addition to overseeing the day to day operations of IVS, Rob has been the president of our sister company Dexter Research Center, Inc. for over 15 years. Since 1977, Dexter Research has been the preferred provider of infrared thermopile detectors for science and industry. As of January 2013 Rob also serves as Director of the Board of Members of Midwest MicroDevices, a pure play dedicated wafer foundry providing unique, cost effective micro fabrication services for customers in the Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) market.
Nilton is a professor in the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan. He is also chair of the department’s master’s programs and director of the master of engineering program in space engineering. Dr. Rennó’s research interests include aerosols and climate, astrobiology, aviation, instrument development, planetary science, thermodynamics, and systems engineering. He studies the physical processes that control the climate of Earth and other planets, and works on the design and fabrication of instruments for this purpose. Previously, Dr. Rennó was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona. He has received the Space Foundation John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation’s Award for Excellence, and the National Aeronautic Associations 2012 Robert J. Collier Trophy for his work on NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Team and the Curiosity Rover Mission, as well as several NASA Group Achievement Awards. He earned his Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served as a member on the Academies’ Committee on the Review of MEPAG Report on Planetary Protection for Mars Special Regions, on the Panel on Earth Sciences, on the NASA Discovery Downselect Panel, and on the Space Studies Board Organizing Committee on Searching for Life Across Space and Time.
Kurt splits time between IVS and our sister company, Dexter Research Center, Inc., where he directs sales and marketing initiatives. Kurt joined Dexter Research in 2007 following years of experience in the robotics industry. While developing customer relationships for Dexter Research, Kurt has also contributed to strategic planning, product management, program management, and project management for the company. Kurt is especially skilled in cross-functional team leadership and Six Sigma continuous improvement techniques. For IVS, Kurt focuses on identifying and qualifying prospective business partners and nurturing strong relationships for mutual business benefit. Kurt is a graduate of the University of Michigan.