Bob McCoy, GDNP UARC Executive Director

Robert McCoy, Ph.D.
Executive Director, GDNP UARC
Director, Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks                                                                                              A.B., Physics, Cornell University                                                                                                M.S., Physics, Texas A&M University                                                                                          Ph.D., Astro-Geophysics, University of Colorado Boulder 

McCoy became the Director of the GI in 2011 and assumed leadership of the GDNP UARC in 2023. The GI is home to more than 460 faculty, staff and students who do research in geophysical disciplines in Alaska ranging from volcanology to space physics. The GI has nine major operational facilities including a rocket range, 12 downlink satellite dishes, HAARP, a large drone program and centers to monitor volcanoes and earthquakes in Alaska. In 2018 the GI became a DoD University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) for Geophysical Detection of Nuclear Proliferation (GDNP). 

Prior to coming to Alaska, he worked for the Naval Research Lab (NRL) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as a space scientist. He served as the Technical Director of the DoD’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office at Kirtland AFB while managing ONR’s Tactical Space Innovative Naval Prototype program. He is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society.

David Schuster, Ph.D.                                                                                                                                  Deputy Director, GDNP UARC                                                                                            Research Professor                                                                                                                University of Alaska Fairbanks                                                                                                     B.S., Physics, University of  Arizona                                                                                          M.S., Physics, University of Miami                                                                                          Ph.D., Applied Physics, Colorado School of Mines 

Schuster was appointed Deputy Director of the GDNP UARC and a Research Professor within the Geophysical Institute in 2025.  Prior to these roles, he served in various roles in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community as both contractor and civilian, most recently as an Analytic Methodologist at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.  In addition to his academic training, he has continuing graduate education in Strategic Intelligence from National Intelligence University and a Six Sigma Green Belt.  He is also a certified Principal Data Scientist by the Data Science Council of America and a Level II Geospatial Data Manager by the GEOINT Professional Certification Program.

Glenda Findlay                                                                                                                                  Senior Program Manager                                                                                                                B.A., Education and Business, University of  Alaska                                                                MBA, Business  Management, University of  Alaska 

Attracted by the opportunity to combine geophysics with  DoD business opportunities, Glenda joined the University  of Alaska GDNP UARC in February 2024.  

Findlay’s career started at the University of Alaska in 1996  and has served as the K-12 Outreach Director and various  Program Manager positions. She has worked with  numerous stakeholders (legislators, native corporations,  school districts and boards), and led strategic initiatives  along with crafting educational policy.

Sarah Garcia                                                                                                                                         Fiscal Manager                                                                                                                                      B.A., Accounting, University of  Alaska                                                                                MBA, Capital Markets, University of  Alaska 

Sarah joined the University of Alaska GDNP UARC in July 2025.  

Sarah has financially managed several major research programs and standalone research projects with the University since beginning this career path in 2006.  She is well-positioned to serve the needs of the UARC.

Doug Aydelott                                                                                                                                    Program Manager                                                                                                                                    A.A., German, The Congress of the United States of America                                          B.A., History, Southern Illinois University                                                                            M.ED., Education Leadership, William Carey University 

In 2020, Doug retired from the US Army after 32 years of  service as a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry. 

Doug joined the University of Alaska GDNP UARC in  February 2022 as a means to continue serving in the  defense of our nation.