How Mary Falcigno ’15 uses AI to support the U.S. Army’s drone program
How Mary Falcigno ’15 uses AI to support the U.S. Army’s drone program
Publish Date: 2026-05-28 15:40:00
Source Domain: www.smcvt.edu
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Educational Background and Early Career:
- Mary Falcigno graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 2015 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science.
- Her interest in coding blossomed, leading her to add a computer science minor.
- She obtained a Master’s degree in data analytics from NJIT in 2025.
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Professional Journey:
- After graduation, she began working at an Army research lab where her technical skills in data analytics and AI were utilized.
- Falcigno is currently a project officer at DEVCOM (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command), focusing on counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) technology.
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Utilization of AI:
- AI and machine learning are crucial in her work with drone detection and mitigation, enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of their current systems.
- She emphasizes the importance of high-quality data and tools for analyzing data to improve AI/ML performance.
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Mentorship and Ethical Considerations:
- Mary is an advocate for STEM careers and actively mentors others, particularly first-generation and women of color in STEM.
- She stresses the importance of maintaining ethical use in AI development to ensure the validity and reliability of AI outputs.
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Influence of St. Mike’s:
- The college instilled in her a strong sense of service and a passion for community outreach, which she incorporates into her professional and personal life.
- Her mentors at St. Mike’s inspired her continual pursuit of higher education and career development.
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Advice and Future Outlook:
- Falcigno advises continuous learning, asking questions, and building networks to keep up with technological changes.
- She hopes to foster more passion in others and leave a legacy of strong STEM advocates.
