John Preston’s contributions to ONR collaborative research efforts

Abstract

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) was established by public law in 1946 to plan, foster, and encourage scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the maintenance of future naval power. To fulfill its mission, the ONR model is to invest not only in ideas, but in people. It seeks to attract and retain high performing scientists and engineers to lead and collaborate on research that is recognized nationally and internationally for its quality and importance. Dr. John R. Preston was an exemplar of the ONR model. This presentation will feature the many and various contributions John has made to the scientific community through his ONR supported work. It will emphasize the scientific relationships and outcomes John fostered, both nationally and internationally, in academia and government by his championing development of the ONR Five Octave Research Array (FORA). Under John’s stewardship, the FORA became a community asset that was used in a host of different experiments, deployed from a variety of different platforms, and operated in many different environments. John’s unselfishness, dedication, and enthusiasm for working with an ever growing number of partners have made FORA a great success for both ONR and the community.