Staff Directory

Scassero, Matt

Scassero, Matt

Director of Operations and Outreach
A. James Clark School of Engineering
MATRIX Lab
44219 Airport Road, California, MD 20619

Key Responsibilities 

Matt is the Director of Operations and Outreach for the University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM). He promotes the Clark School’s role in the areas of integrated education and research (specifically focusing on autonomous technologies), outreach, and economic/community development. He also supports the USMSM mission of increasing impact of the institution to the local and regional community by increasing non-traditional educational partnering opportunities, creating integrated educational and research opportunities both internally and externally, and increasing research expenditures by supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Before this Matt was the Director of the University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site, focusing the resources and efforts of the state of Maryland on working with the FAA to integrate UAS into the national airspace, and enabling public access to these valuable assets to empower a flourishing new industry.  Prior to his work with UAS, Matt was the Chief Contracts Officer for Melwood, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people with differing disabilities to enrich their own lives through rehabilitative services and employment opportunities.

Prior to joining Melwood, Matt completed a 27 year career in the US Navy, retiring at the rank of Captain as the Vice Commander for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the Navy’s principal research, development, test, evaluation, engineering and fleet support activity for naval aircraft and systems. He is certified by the federal government in program management, test and evaluation, software acquisition, safety program management and electronic warfare operations. Matt earned a BS in Physics (Oceanography) from the United States Naval Academy in 1982, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore in 2017, and is a Leadership Maryland 2007 graduate.

Research Interests

autonomous technologies, UAS

Education 

M.P.A., University of Baltimore

B.S., Physics (Oceanography), United States Naval Academy

 

  • 2016 - first civil UAS flight across Chesapeake Bay; first cargo delivery by UAS in Maryland; fully automated flight
  • 2016 - AQWUA (A Quad With Underwater Ability) - summer intern project, fully submesible swimming/flying UAS; single propulsion and control system
  • 2018 - Cooperative UAS and USV, multi-domain autonomy project demonstrating communications and cooperative autonomy between air and surface UXS
  • 2019 - Cooperative UAS and Robots for Remote EOD (CURRE), multi-domain autonomy project with the Navy (NAWCAD), demonstrating communications and cooperative autonomy between air and ground UXS
  • 2019 - First human organ delivered to a waiting patient with a UAS in the world
    • in partnership with UMB, UMMC, Living Legacy Foundation, City of Baltimore
    • company created out of the research MIssionGO/MediGO, Scott Plank/CEO
    • Awards:
      • 2018 Techical.ly Baltimore "Invention of the Year"
      • 2020 American Helicopter Museum Achievement Award
      • 2020 AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards in the Humanitarian/Public Safety category
      • 2021 HAI Salute to Excellence Golden Hour Award
  • 2020 - survived the pandemic intact and safe...science works!
  • 2021 - Chesapeake UAS Route Network: multi-year, multi-phase project aiming at...
    • Airspace integration overlying the central/northern Chesapeake Bay and UAS points of interest
    • Fully integrated vice segragated airspace, manned and unmanned
    • On-demand vice waivers/exemptions
    • Flight Over People
    • Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS)
    • All sizes and shapes of UAS Group 1-5
    • All altitudes and airspace classifications
    • For use by research, public missions, military, NASA and commercial users
    • Future connections north (PA and New York), northeast (DE, Philly, NE Corridor), south (Hampton Roads) and west (Ohio, Indiana)

University of Maryland Represents at International Autonomy Event

Xponential brings together experts to address concerns and look to the future

Governor’s Cabinet Meeting Features Peek into Southern Maryland Research and Collaboration

Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller tour SMART Building and MATRIX Lab; learn about partnerships

Join University of Maryland AUVSI Membership for Free

Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International currently looking for XPONENTIAL 2024 presenters

Short Course Offers Opportunity to Build and Fly Drones

How to Build, Fly, and Verify Autonomous Aerial Systems held in Southern Maryland

SoCal Edison Taps UAS Service Provider for Inspections

Baltimore-based MissionGO wins one of the largest UAS service contracts in the world and traces roots to UMD. 

"This Is Where It's At"

U.S. Commerce Secretary's Visit Highlights Importance of UMD, Higher Ed to Future of Domestic Electronics Industry

High-profile visit highlights capabilities and collaborations

Navy Secretary tours SMART Building and MATRIX Lab before Navy dinner

Test Site Becomes UMD UAS Research and Operations Center

Change reflects expanded scope of history-making facility.
 

Oh, the logistics!

The University of Maryland rises to the occasion of hosting three intense, complex RoboNation competitions in three months.

Flatau Named UMD AE Chair

Alison Flatau has been named the new chair of aerospace engineering at UMD.

Extreme Drone Ops: Measuring Ice Packs

UAS Test Site teams up with NOAA to test use of drones in validating satellite imagery.

UMD Researchers Eye Advances in Autonomy

A multi-institutional program leverages UAS Test Site capabilities in search of new breakthroughs.

Newly-Opened SMART Building to Spur Autonomy Research

Maryland engineering will benefit from state-of-the-art labs and facilities at USMSM.

USMSM Debuts SMART Innovation Center

New, $86 million facility to expand educational opportunities, autonomous vehicles research.

Wereley Steps Down as Aero Chair

Professor has led the department during an era of firsts.

Firebird Tour Makes Stop in St. Mary’s County

Event highlights Southern Maryland’s importance to the UAS industry.

UMD Team Honored for First Organ Transplant by Drone

History-making flight wins Golden Hour Award from Helicopter Association International.

The Path to Urban Air Mobility...And Beyond

View UMD UAS Test Site director Matt Scassero’s introduction speech at the Skyscraper 2020 Virtual Summit.

UAS Route Network Over Chesapeake Bay Could Transform Aviation

The University of Maryland is taking the lead on an initiative that could advance the civilian and commercial use of drones.

American Helicopter Museum Honors UMD Organ Flight

Aerospace engineering department nets a second Achievement Award.

History-Making Organ Flight Honored with Industry Award

 AUVSI’s XCELLENCE Awards Announced; UMD Wins in Humanitarian/Public Safety Category

New Milestones in Medical Deliveries by Drone

History-making UMD flight paves the way for further advancements.

Navigating the "New Normal": A Role for UAS

COVID-19 has demonstrated possible future uses in public health emergencies, writes UMD's Matt Scassero.

UAS Test Site Named as Finalist in AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards

Selection recognizes breakthrough flight delivering organ for transplant.

Researchers Work to Develop Custom Conformal N95 Respirators

Researchers are working to address the critical supply of N95 respirators resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

UAS Test Site Receives Achievement Award from the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center

Award recognizes a significant impact to furthering vertical flight.

Voice of America video highlights kidney transplant drone flight

Segment on VOA Russia Service details life-saving capabilities of drone delivery.

UMD Transplant Organ Flight Named Invention of the Year

The Technical.ly Awards honored an history-making drone flight that helped save the life of a kidney patient.

Special Delivery

To build an unmanned aerial vehicle worthy of a groundbreaking three-mile flight on the night of April 19, a team of UMD engineers worked over the course of two and a half years.

Five Years of Fearless Flight

The UMD UAS Test Site marks two milestones this summer: five years since its launch, and the 1,000th sortie flown.

Building Tomorrow’s Aviation Together: Airport, UAS Test Site Celebrate Ties

Unmanned systems are helping to power economic growth in Southern Maryland.

Clark School Aerospace Engineering Faculty Recognized by AIAA National Capital Section

Three faculty receive AIAA NCS awards for their outstanding contributions to research and education.

Pioneering Breakthrough: Unmanned Aircraft Delivers Organ for Successful Kidney Transplant in Maryland

The groundbreaking effort by Maryland faculty and researchers could help expand donor access to transplantation.

In the news: Transplant organ delivery by drone

Unmanned aircraft may be the ultimate method for delivering life-saving organs from donors to recipients.

A Fearless Flight

Maryland tests demonstrate how human organs can be transported safely by drones.

Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel Featured in the News

Reporters from national and regional television networks experienced hurricane-force winds firsthand.

University of Maryland UAS Test Site Adds TigerSharks to Fleet

Their debut project aims to establish a communications relay to remotely control ground robots.

UAS Test Site Expert Available to Comment on UAS Integration Pilot Program

Director Scassero can discuss UAS integration into national airspace and how the program could affect industry.

Clark School Participates in Solar Eclipse

The Clark School is deploying teams of faculty, staff and students to experience the solar eclipse in-person.

UAS Test Site Hosts International Justice System Workshop Participants

Twenty-six Chinese police college trainees saw a demonstration of the site's capabilities. 

UMD Partners With NOAA to Investigate UAS in Satellite Data Validation

The next round of flight testing is slated for the fall.

Communicating Across Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a Disaster

UMD Tests Communications Systems in Real Time with First Responders

“Lifeline Across the Bay” Marks Milestone for the University of Maryland

First-of-its-Kind Flight Across the Chesapeake Bay

Scassero Weighs in on FAA Small UAS Ruling

UMD UAS Test Site director explains why UAS ruling could be "hugely significant."

UMD Celebrates Opening of UAS Test Site in Southern Maryland

Ribbon cutting ceremony brings together leaders in government, industry, and academia.

University of Maryland Opens Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site in Southern Maryland

Test site to unite leaders in academia, industry, and government.

Maryland to Collaborate with VA, NJ on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research

University System of Maryland to collaborate with MAAP on UAS research, testing and development.