Isabella Reyna, a data analyst in the Electronic Systems Laboratory’s (ELSYS) Test Engineering Division (TEN), has received the Young Professional Award from the Association of Old Crows (AOC) Kittyhawk Chapter. This recognition highlights Isabella’s exceptional contributions to Electronic Warfare (EW) and her growing influence as a leader in the defense technology community.

As part of her role, Isabella conducts data analysis and testing of advanced aircraft electronic warfare systems at the USAF/Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory (IDAL). She has been instrumental in supporting critical defense programs that enhance the operational effectiveness of EW systems. Her work has played a pivotal role in several key projects, including the F-15 AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), the FMS F-16 AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield, and AFRL’s Ephemeral Paragon (E-Gon) cognitive EW program. She is based in the Dayton (Ohio) Field Office.

The AOC Kittyhawk Chapter’s Young Professional Award is given to individuals within 10 years of earning their first professional degree who have significantly contributed to EW technologies. Candidates are selected based on their impact on advancing the traditional EW disciplines of Electronic Support (ES), Electronic Attack (EA), and Electronic Protection (EP), as well as emerging areas such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO). The award also recognizes a commitment to innovation and excellence in developing technologies that enhance national security.

Isabella’s work at GTRI exemplifies the qualities celebrated by this award. Her efforts in analyzing data and testing EW systems have provided valuable insights that informed critical program decisions. These contributions have improved the situational awareness and survivability of U.S. and allied forces, ensuring operational superiority in complex environments.

"Working with the GTRI team at the IDAL is such a unique experience. We're all working together in collaboration with other contractors and the government to test and evaluate various EW systems," said Isabella. "I really enjoy being able to interface with different customers and analyze data from different systems. I'm genuinely so grateful to be able to work with the wonderful (and nerdy) team at the IDAL!"

While she works full-time at GTRI, Isabella is pursuing a Master’s degree in Analytics at Georgia Tech, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and growth in her field.

Isabella’s colleagues and leaders at GTRI commend her professionalism, technical expertise, and contributions to advancing critical technologies. David Zurn, Division Chief of TEN, said, “She’s an outstanding member of the GTRI team that has supported critical EW system testing at the IDAL for the past 20 years.”

Writer: Christopher Weems
GTRI Communications
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, Georgia

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.