Dr. Ryan M. Miller, Technical Advisor for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Energy Office administered by the Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The AFRL Energy Office serves as the single focal point for the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) energy and power science and technology (S&T). As Technical Advisor, Dr. Miller provides technical and strategic guidance to lines of efforts developing and demonstrating technologies in the areas of Operational Energy, Installation Energy and Advanced Agile Combat Equipment and works to guide, coordinate, facilitate, and integrate energy-focused programs across AFRL. In addition, Dr. Miller supports the execution of the DAF’s Operational Energy and Installation Resilience Program in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment (SAF/IE).
Prior to his current role, Dr. Miller led the strategic planning of the Power/Thermal Portfolio for the AFRL Aerospace Systems Directorate focusing on the development of power and thermal management system technologies for next generation autonomous systems and hypersonic vehicles/weapons. Other previous roles include serving as the Deputy Chief Engineer for the AFRL Aerospace System Directorate and leading efforts for the AFRL Power and Control Division Electrical System Branch managing efforts focused on developing novel hybrid power system solutions for vehicle electric propulsion and auxiliary power.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
2004 Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
2024 Professional Military Education, Air War College, Distance Learning Program
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. September 2004 – April 2008, Senior Engineer/Scientist, Schafer Corporation, Dayton, Ohio
2. April 2008 – March 2013, Special Purpose Power/Fuel Cell Research Group Lead, Thermal & Electrochemical Branch, Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. March 2013 – January 2015, SUAS Hybrid Propulsion and Power Lead, Electrical Systems Branch, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. January 2015 – December 2015, UAS Power and Control Portfolio Lead, Electrical Systems Branch, Aerospace System Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. December 2015 – January 2019, Deputy Chief Engineer, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. January 2019 – December 2022, Power/Thermal 2030 Lead, Power and Control Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. January 2023 – November 2024, Power/Thermal Strategic Lead, Power and Control Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. November 2024 – Present, Technical Advisor, AFRL Energy Office, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
Senior Leadership Award (2022)
E.C. Simpson Award (Team Technical Achievement) (2014)
Dr. Courtland D. Perkins Award (Individual/Team in Engineering) (2014)
(Current as of September 2025)