Traci Neilsen

Dr. Tracianne B. Neilsen specializes in source localization and characterization using advanced signal processing, optimizations, and machine learning. She earned her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research areas include application of machine learning and inversion techniques for source localization and characterization, management and analysis of large acoustic data sets, and numerical modeling of acoustic fields. She completed a postdoctoral research position (2000-2003) at the Applied Research Laboratories, University of Texas at Austin (ARL:UT) investigating iterative optimizations for source localization and geoacoustic inversion in shallow ocean environments. As she continued working part-time as a research scientist at ARL:UT though 2007, her focus shifted to optimizations for high-frequency seabed parametrization using the Biot model. In 2004, she began teaching as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University (BYU). In 2008, Dr. Neilsen began applying optimization and array processing techniques to source localization in high-amplitude aeroacoustics, specifically the noise from high-performance military aircraft and rocket motors. After 14 years of part-time status, she became a full-time faculty member in May 2018 and ihas established an underwater acoustics program at BYU. Her research group is exploring ways to use machine and deep learning in ocean acoustics. She is a member of the Acoustical Society of America and the chair for the Women in Acoustics committee for that organization. Dr. Neilsen promotes active learning methods in acoustics and physics education and in increasing engagement in science through hands-on outreach activities.