Dr. Mark Askelson is the Associate Vice President for Research—National Security at the University of North Dakota (UND). In this role, he leads strategic research portfolio development, coordinates development of interdisciplinary research teams, develops internal and external and partnerships, and provides day-to-day leadership of the National Security Grand Challenge.

Prior to this appointment, he served as the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), where he helped grow RIAS and autonomous systems research across the UND campus. He also served as the Associate Dean of Research for the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and as Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at UND.

Dr. Askelson has over 15 years of experience working with autonomous systems and over 25 years of research and applications experience with radar, including advanced applications involving radar polarimetry and phased array technologies. His areas of expertise include national security, autonomous systems, testing and validation, and radar. His research foci include regional innovation (NSF Engines), fielding of autonomous systems (DOT SMART program), Detect And Avoid (DAA) systems, and counter-UAS/autonomy. Dr. Askelson has led multiple large-scale efforts, including an NSF regional innovation engine planning grant and multimillion-dollar efforts focused on using both ground-based phased-array radars and cooperative data for DAA.

Dr. Askelson focuses on producing research solutions that translate into practice and enjoys building multidisciplinary, collaborative, and complementary teams to produce impactful solutions.