Two NRL Engineers Receive Dr. Delores M. Etter Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –   Two U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) engineers received the prestigious Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Award on June 25 during a live-streamed ceremony broadcast from Naval Research and Development Establishment sites of the award recipients. At NRL, the ceremony was displayed on a large screen in an auditorium, where more than 100 NRL employees gathered to view the event in person.
 
The Delores M. Etter Awards recognize excellence in scientific research and engineering across the Department of the Navy. Named after Dr. Delores Etter, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, the awards celebrate both early-career investigators and senior scientists who have made exceptional contributions to naval science and technology.
 
In a recorded message for the recipients, Etter said, “Innovation and creativity are often built from ideas that come from previous failures and because of your persistence and your hard work, our warfighters have a technical edge in the battlefield.”
 
“At the Naval Research Laboratory, scientific excellence is not just a pursuit – it’s a strategic imperative,” said Capt. Randy Cruz, commanding officer of NRL. “Our engineers’ dedication to scientific excellence directly supports the security and effectiveness of our naval forces by ensuring the Navy and Marine Corps are equipped with the most advanced capabilities possible – providing that warfighter advantage.”
 
Cruz presented the awards alongside Dr. Bruce Danly, NRL director of research.
 
“These awards highlight our scientific community's extraordinary talent and dedication,” Danly said. “The honorees exemplify the Navy’s commitment to innovation that directly impacts national security.”
 
David Raudales, Ph. D., is a mechanical engineer that was recognized for his significant contributions to the advancement of sonar technologies for seabed warfare. Raudales and his team developed and advanced a new volumetric synthetic aperture sonar, a groundbreaking capability, with innovative signal processing techniques that were demonstrated during extensive at-sea testing. Their work revealed a novel method to detect and identify deeply buried naval targets and seabed infrastructure, a critical advancement for undersea operations.
 
“Dr. Raudales’ dedication to advancing the state-of-the-art in seabed warfare technologies has far-reaching implications for the Navy’s ability to operate effectively in complex and dynamic environments,” said Christoph Englert, Ph.D., associate director of research for NRL’s Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology. “His pioneering work continues to push the boundaries of maritime sensing and undersea warfare.”
 
“I am honored to have received the recognition. I know it’s an individual award, but it’s a testament to the quality of our team here in the Acoustics Division. It’s never just one person who’s responsible for the research,” Raudales said.
 
Currently, Raudales and his team are adapting this advanced sonar technology for maritime platforms, which will support future naval operations that demand speed, mobility, and precision.
 
Christopher So, Ph.D., is a materials research engineer and the head of the Molecular Interfaces and Tribology Section. He was recognized for his pioneering work in underwater adhesives that enable rapid pier-side hull repairs. Inspired by barnacles and their ability to bond in harsh marine environments, So’s research has revealed new chemical strategies for wet-surface adhesion that could transform maritime maintenance and repair.
 
“Dr. So exemplifies the type of innovation the Navy relies on to maintain readiness and technological superiority,” said John N. Russell, Ph.D., superintendent of NRL’s Chemistry Division. “His work draws inspiration from nature and transforms it into practical, scalable solutions for the fleet.”
 
Using simple agricultural byproducts, So has demonstrated that waterborne, protein-based adhesives, unlike traditional hydrophobic options, can cure rapidly in seawater and deliver comparable bond strength. This advancement improves both the science of wet adhesion and the operational capability to perform critical repairs in maritime environments.
 
“It’s a privilege to be recognized among so many outstanding researchers,” So said. “This work is the result of a collaborative effort, and I’m proud to contribute to technologies that may directly support the Navy’s mission at sea.”
 
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
 
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil. Please reference package number at top of press release.