Jeffrey D. Black is a Senior Research Engineer in the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) at Vanderbilt University . He received his BSEE at the United States Air Force Academy (Go Falcons) in 1988 and his MSEE at the University of New Mexico (Go Lobos) in 1991. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Vanderbilt University (Go Commodores). Jeff's areas of specialty and interest are single event effects and mitigation approaches.

Prior to joining ISDE in 2004, Jeff worked for Mission Research Corporation, now ATK Mission Research, in Albuquerque , NM for 11 years. He spent most of his time in the Microelectronics Division and was its manager for the last 20 months. Efforts performed included program management; microelectronic design, layout, and testing; radiation testing; computer architecture identification; and consultations on navigation and communications systems.

From 1988 to 1993, Jeff was assigned to the Phillips Laboratory, now Air Force Research Laboratory. At the laboratory, Jeff worked on advanced space communications projects, specifically on technology for laser and RF crosslinks, and on survivable space communications. He ended his Air Force career at the rank of Captain.