In the world of maritime innovation, diversity of thought and experience is key. And for Cecelia Kane, her journey to MITRE’s BlueTech Lab began over a cup of coffee. Kane found her way to the company after attending a coffee chat co-hosted by MITRE and the Society of Women Engineers. There, she met Thinesiya Krishnathasan, a communications engineer at MITRE and a Cornell alum.
“I talked with Thinesiya about my interest in underwater robotics, and she mentioned the BlueTech Lab. I got excited,” Kane recalls. “I also liked MITRE’s mission of making the world a safer—generally better—place.”
Krishnathasan’s first impression of Kane was equally positive. “Cecelia had a million questions ready, and her curiosity and enthusiasm for research in particular told me she’d be a good fit for MITRE,” she says.
And Krishnathasan’s instincts were spot on. Kane has since made significant contributions to MITRE’s BlueTech research initiatives. Leveraging her computer engineering degree, Kane used C++ programming to develop standards that enable different operators of undersea acoustics to communicate with each other. This work is crucial for advancing maritime innovations, and it’s just one example of Kane’s impact.
The BlueTech team collaborates with government sponsors, industry, and academia to accelerate maritime innovations. Kane and her colleagues, for instance, worked with the University of Massachusetts Amherst to test the use of sensors in determining if a mooring or fishing line gets cut or tangled. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is at the heart of MITRE’s approach to problem-solving.
“If you’re looking for a dynamic job where you’re not doing the same thing every day, MITRE is definitely the place to be,” Kane adds.
Kane’s role extends beyond her technical contributions. She is also passionate about engaging the next generation of STEM professionals. Along with Krishnathasan, she has returned to Cornell to talk with students about her work. Additionally, she participates in a MITRE-MassRobotics partnership that helps Boston-area high school students learn more about using robotics to solve big problems.
While helping to educate the community, Kane is also focused on expanding her own knowledge. This summer, she plans to take an intensive sonar signal processing class at the University of New Hampshire. She is excited about the future of the BlueTech Lab and its potential to drive innovation in the maritime space.
“Before, if we wanted to test something underwater, we’d have to drive an hour to the ocean and set up a lot of equipment. Now we can walk five minutes to the lab in the morning, do all our testing, and be done by the afternoon,” Kane explains. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much more efficient we can become to help innovators in the maritime space.”
Kane’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, preparation, and collaboration. Her journey from a coffee chat to leading-edge research in underwater robotics highlights the dynamic and inclusive nature of MITRE’s work. As the BlueTech Lab continues to evolve, Kane’s contributions and enthusiasm will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of maritime innovation.