Chris Theisen

Biography

Chris Theisen is the Director of Research and Development for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS). He graduated from the University of North Dakota (UND) with a B.S. (2003) and M.S. (2006) in Atmospheric Sciences. He taught a year of Radar Meteorology at UND before becaming a full-time research staff member in 2007 working primarily in UAS research. He played a major role in early UND UAS research in Ground Based and Airborne Detect and Avoid concepts.

Mr. Theisen contributed in North Dakota’s efforts to become one of the now seven FAA designated UAS Test Sites and has taken the role of Director of Research and Development for the NPUASTS after designation in December 2013. He works closely with clients interested in utilizing the test site to help shape research projects and ensures research conducted at the NPUASTS addresses FAA goals and objectives to safely integrate UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). Mr. Theisen leads and participates in research efforts regarding Detect and Avoid, cooperative airspace, UAS support infrastructure, UAS Traffic Management, counter-UAS, advanced air mobility, and other topics leading to integration of UAS into the NAS.