At Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, our greatest asset is our people. As we continue to push the boundaries of intelligent teaming and next-generation technology solutions, we recognize that our ability to innovate is directly linked to the continuous growth and development of our team members. That is why we invest heavily in Individual Development Plans (IDPs) as a cornerstone of our human capital strategy.
Caption: Dr. Steven Harbour
One shining example of this commitment is Dr. Steven Harbour, PhD, Director of AI Hardware Research. As part of his IDP, Dr. Harbour recently completed the first course in the prestigious MIT Professional Education Advanced Certificate for Chief Technology Officers (CTO) program. This multi-course program is designed to equip senior technology leaders with cutting-edge skills and knowledge essential for driving technological innovation and organizational leadership. Dr. Harbour successfully completed "Leadership & Innovation," the first of four courses in the program. Looking ahead, he is scheduled to complete:
Management of Technology
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation
In addition to coursework, Dr. Harbour is leading a high-impact capstone project titled "NEUROPATH – Accelerating Neuromorphic Adoption by Successfully Navigating the Scalable Transition to Global Neuromorphic AI." This ambitious project is aligned with Parallax/OAI’s ongoing mission to advance AI hardware research, blending biology-inspired microsystems, AI hardware acceleration, and edge-native intelligence to overcome the limitations of today’s silicon-based computing at scale.
"This investment in my professional development has been transformational,” said Dr. Harbour. “The MIT CTO program is not only enhancing my technical and leadership skills, but it is directly fueling the work we're doing at Parallax/OAI to pioneer the next frontier in neuromorphic computing. I am deeply grateful for the support and trust Parallax/OAI has placed in me to pursue this journey."
"This is a tremendous accomplishment and is a true testament to Dr. Harbour’s courage, focus, and dedication to continue to grow and expand his horizons,” said Parallax and OAI Ethics Officer and VP of HR Leigh Oldham.
Caption: Michael Bianco, APEX Deputy Program Manager, APEX Division
Another excellent example of our IDP investment is Michael Bianco, APEX Deputy Program Manager, APEX Division, who has strategically advanced his skills to support our innovation-focused government programs.
Michael recently earned his Master of Engineering Management (MEM) from The Ohio State University (December 2024). This program provided advanced training in systems thinking, operational efficiency, and strategic leadership within technical organizations—directly aligning with the work we do at Parallax to deliver high-impact solutions.
Additionally, Michael earned his Program Management Professional (PMP)® Certification from the Project Management Institute (March 2025). This credential enhanced his ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects with precision, applying both agile principles and traditional methodologies.
"Early in my engineering career, I was fortunate to be exposed to program management work, and it's something I've come to love,” said Bianco. “Earning my MEM and PMP helped me grow from executing tasks to thinking strategically across the organization. I've gained tools that let me lead complex programs, translate technical challenges into actionable plans, and drive impact for our customers and stakeholders. This investment in my development has been a game-changer both for my own professional growth and for how I contribute to the broader Parallax and OAI mission. I look forward to further honing these skills with the support of the organization."
Caption: Becky Mescher, Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) Program Coordinator
We also celebrate the IDP journey of Becky Mescher, who has enhanced her expertise to support her critical role as the OFRN Program Coordinator at Parallax and OAI.
Becky recently earned her Program Management Professional (PMP)® Certification from the Project Management Institute (May 2025). Building on her prior accomplishment of earning her MBA, this credential has further sharpened her project management skills and expanded her strategic leadership toolkit.
"I have traveled a long way down my career path and have achieved many milestones including my MBA,” said Mescher. “The PMP certification was next on my professional bucket list. Thanks to Parallax and OAI’s investment in me to obtain my PMP certification, I can check off that item. The process of preparing for the PMP certification not only reinforced what I had learned through my formal education and on-the-job experience; I gained new insight into the predictive, agile, and hybrid project management approaches. I was able to sharpen the tools in my toolbox as well as add a few new ones. I gained new insights into project management that I can apply in the domains of people, process, and business environment. Thank you, Parallax, and OAI for giving me this opportunity."
Caption: Erica Christoffers, Human Factors researcher with Parallax/OAI’s Intelligent Systems Division
We’re also proud to highlight the educational and professional development journey of Erica Christoffers, Human Factors researcher with Parallax/OAI’s Intelligent Systems Division, whose cross-disciplinary expertise continues to strengthen our human-centered research capabilities.
Erica is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Engineering at Wright State University (anticipated December 2027), building on her recently completed M.S. in Human Factors Engineering (December 2023). These degrees directly support her contributions to advanced ISR research, immersive scenario development, and human systems integration at Parallax.
Her additional credentials include:
Lean Certification (expected April 2025)
Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate (completed December 2023)
User Experience and Design Thinking Graduate Certificate (completed December 2022)
B.S. in Psychology (completed December 2016)
"The opportunity to advance my education through Parallax’s IDP investment has been transformative,” said Christoffers. “It empowered me to integrate academic insight directly into our high-impact defense research. This investment not only accelerated my professional goals but also reaffirmed my commitment to building innovative, human-centered solutions for national security challenges."
Our investment in IDPs like those of Dr. Harbour, Michael, Becky, and Erica exemplifies our belief that when we invest in the growth of our people, we are investing in the future of Parallax/OAI. These programs not only prepare our team members for evolving leadership roles but also enable our enterprise to stay at the forefront of research and innovation that drives real-world impact.
While we’ve highlighted a few specific examples in detail, these are part of a broader, vibrant culture of continuous learning across the entire organization. We are proud to also recognize and celebrate the many other team members who are actively advancing their professional development through our IDP program, including:
Amanda Smith, Senior Executive Assistant; Sue Cumbers, APEX Project Manager; and Mary Frame, Deputy Program Manager, Director of Cognitive Research, Intelligent Systems Division, for earning their PMP® certifications.
Paul Dungan, Contracts Administrator, Operations Division, for completing his MBA from Wright State University.
Brendan Thoreson, Process Navigation Project Engineer, APEX Division, for beginning the ETIM program at Carnegie Mellon.
Devon Whetstone, APEX Scientometric Data Scientist, APEX Division, for beginning her MBA studies.
Tom Platt, Software Integrator Lead, Intelligent Systems Division, for completing his master's in electrical and computer engineering.
These collective achievements reflect the dedication, curiosity, and ambition of our entire team. By investing in everyone’s growth, we strengthen the organization as a whole and ensure we remain well-positioned to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities of our mission.
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About Parallax Advanced Research & the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a private advanced research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, an aerospace research institute located in Cleveland, OH, formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements across Ohio and the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace through collaboration, education, and workforce development. More information can be found at parallaxresearch.org and oai.org.