2026-05-18: John Deasy (Computer Science PhD Student)

 

Hey WSDL!  I'm John (Jack) Deasy and I decided to commit to getting a Ph.D. in Computer Science, so here I am.  I received my B.S. in Physics from the University of Mary Washington and my M.S. in Computer Science from Old Dominion University. After completing my undergraduate studies, I began my career as a physicist with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, where I currently apply my background in physics to the development of simulations for the Navy. Over the course of my career, I have experience across multiple disciplines, including electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical and biological sciences, as well as simulation design and development. One of the highlights of my career was contributing to the advancement of defense technology through my work on the Remote Detection of Gun Projectiles, for which I hold a U.S. patent.  My research interests center on the use of synthetic data for machine learning development, with a particular focus on creating approaches that improve training, testing, and validation in environments where real-world data is limited or costly to obtain. One of my many passions is taking a project from theory to a practical engineering product that can have a real-world impact and change how we interact with machines.  Speaking of machines, I have a passion for classic cars.  I'm currently restoring a 1978 Chevy Corvette, but with a twist.  I'm introducing the 1970s to the Body Control Module (BCM) and injecting Computer Science into the core of how this machine operates.  I'm looking forward to my time at ODU and all the great people I'll work and interact with along the way. Regards, - John Deasy