Dr. Tyrone Roach received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas magna cum laude in 2001. He subsequently earned the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, also in electrical engineering, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in 2005 and 2010, respectively. During his tenure at the University of Illinois, he instructed a core course in the undergraduate curriculum through a trusted arrangement by the department and was the recipient of numerous fellowships, assistantships, and awards.
Dr. Roach’s research and technical interests in applied electromagnetics aims to advance functionality of radar and communication systems that utilize multiple antennas with adaptive and multifunctional characteristics; transform array functionality into emerging and next-generation wireless communication technologies; and realize multifunctional antenna/antenna array technologies with novel physical materials and manufacturing techniques. In his leisure time, he enjoys an active and enriching lifestyle—which he promotes by maintaining his health and physical fitness, engaging in outdoor activities, watching professional sports, traveling abroad, and listening to various types of music and online podcasts/radio shows.
In October 2010, Dr. Roach joined the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) as a Research Engineer. While at GTRI he developed a career based in electromagnetic modeling and simulation of complex structures that include multiple antenna and advanced phased array architectures. He contributed to over 15 government sponsored research programs and one internal research and development (R&D) effort in several technical arenas The result of his efforts and achievements led to several key delivered products, numerous final reports and presentations to the customer, multiple interim presentations and reports, growth into project leadership and supervision roles (including task lead on two major projects and lead system analyst for another effort), and the opportunity to teach lectures in antenna array theory via video conference to senior level students via GT’s Distance Learning program. His accomplishments led to recognition externally and internally via awards and praises from sponsors and senior researchers at GTRI, and eventual promotion to the rank of Senior Research Engineer within the organization.
In August of 2015, Dr. Roach joined the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) as an Assistant Professor. As a faculty member at OU, he engaged himself in a myriad of activities revolved around the core components beholden to the career path of an assistant professor: teaching, research, service, and funding. Select activities and accomplishments during his brief tenure at OU include serving as co-principal investigator on a proposal effort awarded by the federal government; participating in various other collaborative research proposal and solicitation efforts with colleagues; first-time course prep and instruction of two core undergraduate courses–Electrical Circuits I and Electromagnetic Fields I); publication of a journal article in the IEEE Transaction on Antennas and Propagation; advisement of a graduate student and serving on several graduate student committees; and earning positive reviews at the end of his first Annual Progress Toward Tenure Review meeting.
During both of Dr. Roach’s professional work experiences, he has represented his organization and profession by participating in wide variety of activities throughout his academic and professional career. These activities include membership in several professional societies and networks, conference attendance, paper reviewer for select journal and conference publications, speaking at a community outreach event, serving on committees, mentoring junior engineering, and participating at recruiting events. In January 2017, Dr. Roach resigned from his faculty position at OU, and since then has been on a voluntarily and purposeful break from the workforce. During this time period he has had the opportunity to invest more in himself, acquire a myriad of fulfilling life experiences (including those from extensive traveling), and ‘design think’ the next steps in his life going forward which will work best. These steps not only include his career goals but lifestyle aspirations as well.
Dr. Roach is actively seeking employment opportunities as a Senior Engineer in an applied R&D environment wherein he can apply acquired engineering work experience in research industry and academia to help create and advanced technologies/fields that offer significant benefits to societies and economies—those that have the ability to alter established ways of doing things. He desires to be part of, and thrive in, a work environment with purpose driven goals in mind. One where he can create value for himself, the organization, for others, and society as a whole—all in meaningful, fun, exciting, and creative way.
Dr. Roach envisions a career trajectory such that he can continue to hone in on his skills, grow and develop himself professionally, mentor and supervise junior engineers, work with team members in a collegial way, be engaged with various stages in product development (i.e., from concept, design, modeling and simulation, fabrication, testing and measurement to delivery), and ultimately lead and develop projects. He also has aspirations to pursue creative and novel internal R&D endeavors and develop business that contributes to the organization’s mission. Just as meaningful, Dr. Roach seeks his next career opportunity in/near a major metropolitan area with available access to his lifestyle interests—an environment with diverse attributes that can provide him desired fulfillment and happiness. If you are aware of a career opportunity that potentially fits Dr. Roach’s aspirations, please use the Contact section on this website to get in touch with him and start fostering a conversation.
