Captain Zachary Paulson
Executive Officer and Instructor of Computer & Cyber Sciences
Bio
Captain Zachary Paulson is an Instructor of Computer Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, where he is responsible for educating, training, and inspiring men and women to become officers of character upon graduation and commissioning as second lieutenants.
Captain Paulson received his Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 2016 and received his Master's of Science in Computer Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2018. He went on to graduate from Undergraduate Cyberspace Training later that year on his way to becoming a Cyberspace Operations Officer. Following training, he served as a Defensive Cyberspace Operator at Scott AFB, IL while simultaneously pursuing his Master's of Science in International Relations from Troy University.
In his free time, Capt Paulson enjoys spending time with his wife, Megan (and their two dogs, George and Paisley). They enjoy spending time outside, hiking throughout Colorado, and almost anything sports related.
Education
2016 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
2018 Master of Science in Computer Science, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
2021 Master of Science in International Relations, Troy University, AL
Professional Experience
Aug 2016-Apr 2018, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Apr 2018-Nov 2018, Student, Undergraduate Cyberspace Training, Keesler AFB, MS
Nov 2018-May 2020, Crew Commander, 837th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Scott AFB, IL
May 2020-Jun 2021, Operations Officer, 837th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Scott AFB, IL
Jun 2021-May 2022, Instructor, Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
May 2022-Present, Executive Officer and Instructor, Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
Honors & Awards
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Training Ribbon
Research and Scholarly Interests
Cyber Security
Computer Vision
Publications
Parsons, Christopher, Zachary Paulson, Scott Nykl, William Dallman, Brian G. Woolley, and John Pecarina. “Analysis of simulated imagery for real-time vision-based automated aerial refueling.” Journal of Aerospace Information Systems 16, no. 3 (2019): 77-93.
Paulson, Zachary, Scott Nykl, John Pecarina, and Brian Woolley. “Mitigating the effects of boom occlusion on automated aerial refueling through shadow volumes.” The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation 16, no. 2 (2019): 175-189.
Thesis
Paulson, Zachary. “Mitigating the effects of boom occlusion on automated aerial refueling through shadow volumes.” Air Force Institute of Technology, 2018.