The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently held a Senior Scientist (ST) Induction Ceremony to officially recognize three leaders in their respective fields: Dr. Matthew Farthing, Dr. Mihan House McKenna Taylor and Dr. David Moore.

ERDC officials said these inductees are now part of an elite circle within the Army’s Senior Scientist community, a distinction that reflects not only their expertise, but also their significant contributions to the Army and the nation.

The ceremony, held at ERDC’s headquarters in Vicksburg, was led by Maj. Joseph A. Bostick, ERDC’s deputy commander, who served as the master of ceremonies.

ERDC Director Dr. David Pittman explained the significance of the occasion to the crowd gathered both in person and online.

“Today, we honor Dr. Farthing, Dr. McKenna Taylor and Dr. Moore as part of the Army’s Senior Scientist cadre. Each of these specialists is among the best in the world, contributing to our mission with unparalleled expertise,” Pittman said. “Across the Army, there are only 42 ST positions and these scientists will now serve in general officer-level positions, advising Army leadership on scientific matters.”

Scientific and Professional (ST) positions are high-level roles, created for experts in research and development, Pittman said.  These positions focus on advanced scientific or technical work in fields like engineering, biology or medicine. ERDC said these roles are critical for advancing scientific innovation within the federal government.

Pittman emphasized the far-reaching impact of the Senior Scientist role.

“Every day, our scientists push the boundaries of knowledge, and their work not only strengthens our Army, but also enhances our nation’s capability to respond to global challenges,” he said.

Taylor is a Senior Scientist within the Department of Defense, specializing in geology, geophysics, geospatial and geotechnical fields. She leads multidisciplinary research on near-surface phenomenology, shaping future operational environments through programs in engineer intelligence and persistent surveillance, aligned with multi-domain intelligence threat assessment and maneuver support goals. Her work, involving high-performance computing simulations, analytical analysis and field experimentation, supports a range of military and civil end-users, including the Army, DIA, AFRL and Army Futures Command. She is also a research professor at Southern Methodist University and Mississippi State University and holds various leadership roles in defense and research organizations. She earned a Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University and has acquired various certifications and honors throughout her career.

Taylor emphasized the vital role of mentorship in shaping future leaders.

“We must provide the next generation with the example that inspires them, ensuring they can fully invent, innovate and make a difference for the nation and the military,” she said. “This commitment to guiding young minds underscores the importance of legacy in military and civilian service alike.  We shall try, as we have been entrusted, to leave this place a little bit better than we found it.”

Farthing joined the ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory in 2007 and serves as a senior research scientist for Hydrodynamic Phenomena. Prior to ERDC, he was a research assistant professor in the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department at the University of North Carolina. His research focuses on computational hydrodynamics, high-fidelity simulation of sensor signatures in natural environments and reduced order modeling. Farthing has contributed extensively to the research community through mentoring and serving on numerous academic and government panels. He has also served as visiting faculty at the University of Padova.  He earned his Ph.D. in environmental sciences and engineering from the University of North Carolina (UNC) and holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Brown University. Throughout his career, Farthing has been recognized with multiple awards and maintains active memberships in several professional organizations, underscoring his commitment to the scientific community.

“We have a very rigorous profession that involves hard problems, but it’s the great people I work with who make this a meaningful place for us,” Farthing said. “This is a very challenging field, but it’s the dedication of the people around us that truly makes a difference in our work.”

Moore is a senior scientist for environmental sciences at ERDC, where he directs several large multidisciplinary research programs focused on assessing and managing risks related to emerging contaminants, contaminated sediments and dredged materials. He leads ERDC’s program for advanced materials and substances of emerging environmental concern, as well as the risk management focus area for the Dredging Operations Environmental Research (DOER) program. Moore represents USACE at the London Convention on waste disposal at sea and the U.S. Army in NATO working groups. He co-developed key assessment tools and has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. He earned his Ph.D. in environmental science from the University of South Carolina and completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at Washington and Lee University. Throughout his career, he has been honored with various awards and holds active memberships in several professional organizations.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and to help shape the future of our organization,” Moore said. “I hope that I can, in some measure, have a positive impact and leave ERDC in a better place.”

Pittman led the honorees in reaffirming their commitment to the Department of Defense by administering the Oath of Office. As part of the ceremony, the ST flag, a symbol of the honorees’ new positions, was unfurled to represent their vital role within the Army’s scientific leadership.

The ceremony marked an important occasion for ERDC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the broader scientific community, as these leaders officially took on the role of shaping the future of science and technology for the Army, ERDC said.