Bio
Capt Seth T. Hyra is an Instructor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Meteorology at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Capt Hyra commissioned into the Air Force through Officer Training School in November 2018, after graduating with bachelor’s degrees in physics and Astronomy from the University of Washington. He was assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla. as a Special Nuclear Events Analyst for the Reactor Products Program. He transitioned to AFIT in August 2021, graduating with a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics in March 2023, with a research focus on coupling to quantum topological order in superconducting qubit systems. He then went on to the Space Warfare Directorate of AFRL, where he managed technical research acquisition efforts for a 10-member government team as the Quantum Technical Area Lead. He oversaw efforts to mature emerging quantum technologies for PNT applications as part of the $8M RJ quantum portfolio, and additionally engaged in in basic research to explore the applications of optical cavity quantum electrodynamics, in sensing, communications, as well as in the nascent field of topological quantum computation.
Education
Master of Science, Applied Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2023)
Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (2018)
Bachelor of Science, Comprehensive Physics, Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle (2017)
Professional Experience
Instructor, Department of Physics and Meteorology, US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 2026 – Present)
Lead, Quantum Technical Area, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (August 2024 – June 2026)
Lead, Quantum Technology Transition, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (March 2023 – Aug 2024)
Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (August 2021 – March 2023)
Special Nuclear Events Analyst, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick SFB, Fla. (November 2018 – August 2021)
Cadet, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (September 2018 – November 2018)
Honors & Awards
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
Second Lieutenant November 9, 2018
First Lieutenant November 9, 2020
Captain November 9, 2022
Current as of June 2026
Publications
M. Plummer, S. Taylor, M. Marshall, D. Brown, R. Leonard, S. Hyra, and S. Olson, “Iterative refinement of arbitrary micro-optical surfaces,” Opt. Express 33, 42791-42802 (2025)
A. Crawford, J. Williamson, R. Leonard, C. Pei, A. Bhattacharya, M. Plummer, S. Hyra, S. Olson, and C. Raman, “Enhanced stability from co-resonant cavities in a monolithic array,” (Pending)