# Don Derek Haddad

> Research AI Engineer & Scientist — MIT Media Lab — Responsive Environments Group

## About

Dr. Don D. Haddad is a Research Engineer and Scientist specializing in Agentic AI, lunar imaging, and simulated environments. He served as the Lead Research Engineer for the MIT and NASA Ames Lunar Imaging Payload onboard the MAPP Rover by Lunar Outpost, the first U.S. commercial Lunar Rover to land on the Moon (March 6, 2025, IM-2 Mission).

Don engineers AI-driven perception pipelines for data acquisition, 3D reconstruction, and spectral imaging to support lunar surface analysis. His work bridges computer graphics, machine learning, and human-robot interaction, with applications in space exploration and autonomous systems.

## Education

- Ph.D., Doctor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018–2023) — "New Paradigms in Blending Virtual and Physical Exploration through Human-Robot Operations."
- M.S., Media Arts & Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015–2018) — "Resynthesizing Reality: Driving Vivid Virtual Environments from Sensor Networks."

## Experience

- **Lead AI Engineer**, Stealth Agentic AI Startup (2025–2026)
  - Led the design and development of an AI-native web intelligence platform that detected, classified, and analyzed autonomous agent traffic across websites, transforming early research on the agentic web into a production-ready product.
  - Architected end-to-end systems for agent readiness and machine-consumable web interaction, including perception tooling, structured data generation, MCP integration, and conversational responder workflows.
  - Built a hybrid semantic search engine that translates natural language into structured query filters through a three-layer pipeline — instant regex detection, LLM intent decomposition, and parallel vector search.
  - Architected intelligence orchestration within web based applications, enabling LLM-driven routing, structured reasoning, and machine-assisted user interactions.
- **Lead Research — Lunar Imaging**, MIT Space Exploration Initiative (2024–2025)
  - Built Mission Control Software and digital twins for lunar operations using Unreal Engine 5.
  - Developed the Azure Kinect à La Luna (AKALL), a Dockerized system to operate a space-graded Microsoft Azure Kinect on the Moon, deployed on the first U.S. made Lunar Rover by Lunar Outpost.
  - Integrated NVIDIA AI Workbench with Omniverse to enable upscaling of 3D lunar analog data using USD-based assets and containerized inference pipelines.
  - Published in IEEE Aerospace, SIGGRAPH, LPSC, LPI.
- **Planetary Science Software Engineer**, NASA Ames Research Center (2023–2026)
  - Designed .ND3, a lightweight format for compressed ToF-based imaging data.
  - Developed 3D reconstruction software and NIR spectral imaging pipelines for lunar surface analysis.
  - Conducted field tests at NASA Ames Lunar analog testbeds to assess various depth imaging platforms.
  - Published in IEEE Aerospace, LPSC, ASCEND, Acta Astronautica.
- **Research Assistant**, MIT Media Lab — Responsive Environments Group (2014–2023)
  - Research in Digital Twins, Sensor Networks, Virtual Environments, AI and Robotics.
  - Guest lecturer and keynote presenter at MIT on topics of VR, HRI, AI, Space Systems and Electronic Music.
  - Published in ACM, SIGGRAPH, IEEE, UIST, CHI, NIME, ASCEND, AGU, 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.

## Research Areas

- Agentic AI & Web Intelligence
- Large Language Models
- Lunar Surface Imaging
- Low Bandwidth 3D Reconstruction
- Near-Infrared Spectral Analysis
- Virtual Reality & Telepresence
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Human-Robot Interaction
- Wearable Computing & Smart Textiles
- Electronic Music Instruments
- Sensor Networks & IoT
- Space Robotics & Digital Twins

## Research Institutions

- NASA Ames Research Center
- MIT Space Exploration Initiative
- MIT Media Lab
- MIT AeroAstro
- Intuitive Machines
- Lunar Outpost
- Boston Dynamics
- Rover Robotics

## Projects

- **Agentic Web Intelligence Platform**: Led the design and development of a production platform that detects, classifies, and analyzes autonomous agent traffic on the web. Architected agent readiness systems including perception tooling, MCP integration, and agent to agent web interactions.
- **Lunar Mission Control**: Designed and built mission control software in Unreal Engine to communicate with the MIT/NASA RESOURCE Camera payload onboard of Lunar Outpost's MAPP rover. Developed a photorealistic lunar surface environment integrating rover operations, visualization, and interface workflows for remote mission support. — [link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1znj0nmNiXzfkmS83ozNQGgzFo7_CIFYx/view?.pdf)
- **MIT/NASA RESOURCE Camera**: Lead Software Engineer and Research Scientist for a lunar imaging payload on the MAPP Lunar Rover (Lunar Outpost IM-2 mission). MAPP became the first U.S.-made commercial rover to touch down on the lunar surface on March 6, 2025. — [link](https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-prepare-send-three-payloads-moon-0225)
- **Azure Kinect à La Luna (AKALL)**: A Dockerized system to operate a space-graded Microsoft Azure Kinect on the Moon. Deployed on the first U.S. made Lunar Rover by Lunar Outpost. Integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse for USD-based 3D upscaling. — [link](https://github.com/sei-ml/AKALL)
- **ND3 Data Format**: Developed at NASA Ames Research Center. ND3 efficiently stores compressed 2D imaging data from Time-of-Flight sensors for real-time 3D reconstruction of microtopographic lunar terrain. — [link](https://github.com/sei-ml/ND3-RGBD)
- **Responsive Space Environments**: Doctoral research on new paradigms in blending virtual and physical exploration through human-robot operations. Systems for telepresence and mixed-reality in space exploration contexts. — [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/theses/haddad-ddh-PhD-MAS-2023-thesis.pdf)
- **Virtual Analog Environments**: Built high-fidelity virtual analog sites from large-scale photogrammetry for space exploration research. Transformed real terrestrial terrains into simulated planetary environments, including Mars-like landscapes, for visualization, experimentation, and mission planning. — [link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q82vKjsrfYRG7YEUMyc7rs7AFjlHg6T2/view?.pdf)
- **Doppelbots**: A series of robotics experiments connecting the Unity game engine to teleoperation, navigation, and control workflows for custom rovers and quadrupeds. Explored real-time robotic interaction through game-engine interfaces and simulation-driven control systems. — [link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gA9z7jUEhKd-Ujwr6ey4hnorWtW25FHK/view?.pdf)
- **Tapis Magique**: Interactive choreo-musical carpet combining machine knitting, electronic textiles, and immersive environments. Winner of the SXSW 2022 Innovation Award and the 2022 International MIDI Award. — [link](https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/tapis-magique/overview/)
- **SensorKnit**: Research on designing and fabricating textile-based sensors using industrial knitting machines. Published as a cover article in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing. Patented technology. — [link](https://vimeo.com/318828861)
- **Resynthesizing Reality**: Master's thesis and SIGGRAPH 2017 presentation exploring how real-time sensor data from environmental networks can drive vivid, responsive virtual environments — bridging the physical and digital worlds. — [link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yf76Ne3xNUzblce_UpSVafGt8sgXTKsa/view?.pdf)
- **Fragile Instruments**: Musical instruments designed to be destroyed during performance, questioning the permanence of physical interfaces. Best Presentation Award at NIME 2017. — [link](https://vimeo.com/199235375)
- **SoundFORMS**: Actuated shape display with projection mapping for tangible sound manipulation. Best Paper Honorable Mention at CHI 2016. — [link](https://vimeo.com/167128612)
- **MMODM**: MMODM turns Twitter into a real-time collaborative drum machine, letting anyone create 16-step rhythmic patterns for 26 instruments using simple tweets from anywhere in the world. By combining this global tweet-based input with a local web interface for live mixing and control, it opens music creation to large-scale, synchronous collaboration across devices, locations, and cultures. — [link](https://vimeo.com/117449403)

## Publications

- 3D ToF–RGB/NIR Imaging of Antarctic Lunar Analogs for Geotechnical and Volatile Assessment in ISRU Drilling Operations — Cody A. Paige, Don Derek Haddad, Carter Fortuin, Matthew Pearson, Brian Glass, Ariel Deutsch, Amanda Marie Cook, Anthony Colaprete, Jennifer Heldmann. *AIAA ASCEND*, 2026.
- RGB–NIR Reflectance and 3D Microtopography for Lunar Regolith Analysis Using Time-of-Flight Imaging Systems — Don D. Haddad, Cody Paige, Ariel Ekblaw, Joseph A. Paradiso, Dava J. Newman, Amanda M. Cook, Ariel N. Deutsch, Jennifer Heldmann, Anthony Colaprete. *IEEE Aerospace Conference (AeroConf)*, 2026.
- Measuring reflectance and maturity of lunar regolith and permafrost simulants using visible-near infrared wavelengths — Don D. Haddad, Ariel N. Deutsch, Anthony Colaprete, Amanda M. Cook, Cody Paige, Eyal Perry, Jennifer Heldmann. *Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC)*, 2025. [link](https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2025/pdf/2679.pdf)
- Creating Immersive Digital Twins of Terrestrial Planetary Analogs with Multimodal Sensing and Game Engines for Virtual Exploration — Leonie Bensch, Cody Paige, Don D. Haddad, Fangzheng Liu, Nathan Perry, Gerrit Olivier, Joseph A. Paradiso. *IEEE Pervasive Computing*, 2025.
- Moon3D: A Depth-Mapping Camera for Lunar Environmental and Geophysical Studies — Cook AM, Paige C, Haddad DD, Ekblaw A, Auffinger S, Heldmann J, Ward FS, Rademacher A, White B, Shimada J, Colaprete A. *LPI Contributions, 3074, p.5007*, 2024. [link](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024LPICo3074.5007C/abstract)
- Design, Control, and Testing of Intelligent Electromagnetic Footwear for Astronautical Applications — Severin Meyer, Daniel V. Levine, Don D. Haddad, Irmandy Wicaksono, Joseph A. Paradiso. *54th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES-2025-242)*, 2025.
- Two Sonification Methods for the MindCube — Liu, F., Blanchard, L., Haddad, D. D., & Paradiso, J. A.. *arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.18196*, 2025. [link](https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.18196)
- Sonifying the MindCube through AI-Generated Music — Fangzheng Liu, Lancelot Blanchard, Don D. Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2025.
- MindCube: An Interactive Device for Gauging Emotions — Fangzheng Liu, Don Derek Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso. *UIST Adjunct '24*, 2024. [link](https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3672539.3686771)
- Azure Kinect à La Luna (AKALL): Leveraging Low-Cost RGB and Depth-Camera in Lunar Exploration — Don D. Haddad, Cody Paige, Ferrous Ward, Joseph A. Paradiso, Dava Newman, Ariel Ekblaw, Amanda Cook, Jennifer Heldmann. *IEEE Aerospace Conference*, 2024. [link](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10521000)
- Design and Fabrication of Multifunctional E-Textiles by Upcycling Waste Cotton Fabrics through Carbonization — Irmandy Wicaksono, Aditi Maheshwari, Don D. Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso, Andreea Danielescu. *Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies*, 2024. [link](https://doi.org/10.1145/3659588)
- Responsive Space Environments: New Paradigms in Blending Virtual and Physical Exploration through Human-Robot Operations — Don D. Haddad. *MAS PhD Thesis — MIT Media Lab*, 2023. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/theses/haddad-ddh-PhD-MAS-2023-thesis.pdf)
- Leveraging Docker Containers for Azure Kinect Integration in Space Robotics: AKALL Framework — Don D. Haddad, Stefan Unterhauser, Cody A. Paige, Ben Brokaw, Ferrous S. Ward, Joseph A. Paradiso, J. Heldmann, Dava J. Newman. *Conference on Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 3.0)*, 2023.
- Operational Geology In a Virtual Environment (OGIVE): Novel Approaches to Virtualizing Geological Expeditions for Planetary Exploration — Cody A. Paige, Don D. Haddad, Ferrous S. Ward, Trent J. Piercy, Jessica E. Todd, Joseph A. Paradiso, Dava J. Newman. *Conference on Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 3.0)*, 2023.
- Multi-Sensor 3D Data Visualization in Virtual Reality for Planetary Science and Mission Operations — Ferrous S. Ward, Cody A. Paige, Don D. Haddad, Jessica E. Todd, Jennifer Heldmann, Darlene Lim, Ariel Ekblaw, Dava Newman. *International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES)*, 2023.
- Data collection in Svalbard, Norway to test the use of virtual reality for Lunar and planetary surface — Cody A. Paige, Don Derek Haddad, Ferrous Ward, Jessica Todd, Ariel Ekblaw, Dava Newman. *International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES)*, 2023.
- From UbiComp to Universe — Moving Pervasive Computing Research Into Space Applications — Ekblaw, A., Cherston, J., Liu, F.Z., Wicaksono, I., Haddad, D.D, Sumini, V., Paradiso, J.A. *IEEE Pervasive Computing — Best Paper of the Year*, 2023. [link](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10071713)
- MIT Zero-G Outreach Initiative: using experiment design and virtual reality to inspire the next generation of space scientists and engineers — C. Paige, F. Ward, D. D. Haddad, J. MacNeil, P. McGaffigan, A. Ekblaw, D. Newman. *Acta Astronautica*, 2023.
- Tapis Magique: Machine-knitted Electronic Textile Carpet for Interactive Choreo-musical Performance — Wicaksono, I., Haddad, D. D., & Paradiso, J.. *Creativity and Cognition (pp. 262-274)*, 2023. [link](https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3527927.3531451)
- Assessment of Depth Data Acquisition Methods for VR Mission Operations Support Tools — Forsey-Smerek, A., Paige, C., Ward, F., Haddad, D. D., Sanneman, L., Todd, J., Heldmann, J., Lim, D., Newman, D.. *IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO)*, 2022. [link](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=9843571)
- A virtual reality platform for lunar rover missions to reduce decision-making time and improve situational awareness — Paige, C.A., Forsey-Smerek, A., Haddad, D.D., Ward, F., Piercy, T., Heldmann, J., Lim, D., Colaprete, A., Cook, A., Newman, D.. *ASCEND 2021*, 2021. [link](https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/pdf/10.2514/6.2021-4203)
- Towards the development of 3D lunar surface depth-data collection for geology in virtual reality — Paige, C., Ward, F., Haddad, D.D., Forsey-Smerek, A., Sanneman, L.M., Todd, J., Colaprete, A., Lim, D.S.S., Heldmann, J., Newman, D.. *AGU Fall Meeting*, 2021. [link](https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/845849)
- Lunar instrument data integration into the Virtual Reality Mission Simulation System for Decision Making and Situational Awareness — Cody A. Paige, Dava Newman, Don Derek Haddad, Ferrous Ward, Trent Piercy. *50th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES-2021-227)*, 2021. [link](https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2346/87198/ICES-2021-227.pdf)
- Baguamarsh: An Immersive Narrative Visualization for Conveying Subjective Experiences — Fei Jiang, Don D. Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso. *HCI International (HCII)*, 2020. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/jiang_baguamarsh.pdf)
- Patch-corde: an Expressive Patch Cable for the Modular Synthesizer — Joao Wilbert*, Don D. Haddad*, Hiroshi Ishii, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2020. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/NIME2020__PatchCorde.pdf)
- SensorKnit: Architecting Textile Sensors with Machine Knitting — Ou, J.*, Oran, D.*, Haddad, D.D.*, Paradiso, J.A., Ishii, H.. *3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, Vol. 6 Issue 1 — Cover Issue*, 2019. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/Sensorknit-3DP.pdf)
- The World Wide Web in an Analog Patchbay — Don Derek Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2019. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/20N02_NIME19.pdf)
- Grain Prism: Hieroglyphic Interface for Granular Sampling — Gabriela Bila Advincula, Don Derek Haddad, Kent Larson. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2019. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/Grain_Prism.pdf)
- Resynthesizing Reality: Driving Vivid Virtual Environments from Sensor Networks — Don Derek Haddad. *MAS Thesis — MIT Media Lab*, 2018. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/theses/MAS_DDH.pdf)
- Kinesynth: Patching, Modulating, and Mixing a Hybrid Kinesthetic Synthesizer — Don Derek Haddad, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2018. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/kinesynth-NIME18.pdf)
- Fragile Instruments: Constructing Destructible Musical Interfaces — Don Derek Haddad, Xiao Xiao, Tod Machover, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME) — Best Presentation Award*, 2017. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/fragile_instruments_NIME17.pdf)
- Resynthesizing Reality: Driving Vivid Virtual Environments from Sensor Networks — Don Derek Haddad, Gershon Dublon, Brian Mayton, Spencer Russell, Xiao Xiao, Ken Perlin, Joseph A. Paradiso. *SIGGRAPH 2017*, 2017. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/resynthesizing_reality_SIGGRAPH17.pdf)
- The Networked Sensory Landscape: Capturing and Experiencing Ecological Change Across Scales — Brian Mayton, Gershon Dublon, Spencer Russell, Evan F. Lynch, Don Derek Haddad, Vasant Ramasubramanian, Clement Duhart, Glorianna Davenport, Joseph A. Paradiso. *Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 26(2), MIT Press*, 2017. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/2017_MaytonDublon_SensoryLandscapes_Presence.pdf)
- A Ubiquitous Sensing Model for Environmental Science, Interaction Research, and Public Engagement with Restored Wetlands — Gershon Dublon, Brian Mayton, Don Derek Haddad, Clement Duhart, Spencer Russell, Glorianna Davenport, Joseph A. Paradiso. *Society of Wetland Scientists*, 2017. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/SWS2017Abstract.pdf)
- Kinéphone: Exploring the Musical Potential of an Actuated Pin-Based Shape Display — Xiao Xiao, Don Derek Haddad, Thomas Sanchez, Akito van Troyer, Rébecca Kleinberger, Penny Webb, Joe Paradiso, Tod Machover, Hiroshi Ishii. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2016. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/nime2016_paper0051.pdf)
- SoundFORMS: Manipulating Sound Through Touch — Aubrey Colter, Don Derek Haddad, Patlapa Davivongsa, Halla Moore, Brian Tice, Hiroshi Ishii. *Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) — Best Paper, Honorable Mention*, 2016. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/soundForm_CHI16.pdf)
- MMODM: Massively Multiplayer Online Drum Machine — Basheer Tome, Don Derek Haddad, Tod Machover, Joseph A. Paradiso. *New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME)*, 2016. [link](https://resenv.media.mit.edu/pubs/papers/mmodm-massively-multiplayer-drum-machine.pdf)

## Patents

- Methods And Apparatus For Sensor Or Controller That Includes Knitted Fabric (US11453963B2) — Jifei Ou, Daniel Oran, Don D. Haddad. [patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/US11453963B2/en)

## Skills

- **Software Development & Systems**: C, C++, C#, CUDA, Python, Go, Java, TypeScript, JavaScript, Node.js, Linux, Bash, Software Architecture, Backend Systems, RESTful APIs, RPC, Distributed Services, Real-Time Software, Performance Optimization, Debugging, Cross-Platform Engineering, Infrastructure-Aware Development, Frameworks, Front-end Development, Docker, DevOps, continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), Git, Nginx, AWS, Google Cloud, Vercel, Kubernetes, Cloud Deployment, Backend Services, Technical Documentation.
- **AI, Agents & Machine Learning**: Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI, Multi-Agent Architecture, LangGraph, Graph-Based Agent Workflows, Orchestration, Tool Calling, Planning, Model Context Protocol (MCP) Servers, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Embeddings, Vector Retrieval, Reranking, Grounding, RAG Evaluation, Autonomous Software Agents, Claude Code, Cursor, Google Antigravity, Codex, Generative Models, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Machine Learning, Deep Learning, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Multimodal AI.
- **Data Systems & Storage**: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, Redis, DynamoDB, Cassandra, Elasticsearch, ClickHouse, Neo4j, TimescaleDB, Turbopuffer, Vector Databases, JSON, XML, Structured Data Pipelines.
- **Communication, Networking & Signal Interfaces**: UDP, TCP, UNIX Domain Sockets, WebSockets, WebRTC, MQTT, gRPC, DDS, RTP, OSC, MIDI, SDR, Networked Systems, Real-Time Communication Protocols.
- **Systems Security & Adversarial Testing**: System Security, Network Analysis, Nmap, Wireshark, Penetration Testing, Web Security, Vulnerability Assessment, Reverse Engineering, SDR, RF Analysis, RF Hacking, Protocol Analysis.
- **Robotics & Perception**: Robotics Software, ROS 1/2, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Sensor Fusion, Intelligent Systems, Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Intelligent Human-Machine Interfaces.
- **Computer Graphics, Vision & Digital Twins**: Digital Twins, Unreal Engine, Unity, NVIDIA Omniverse, NeRF, Gaussian Splatting, Photogrammetry, Open3D, OpenCV, FFmpeg, WebGL, 3D Reconstruction, Simulation Environments.
- **Embedded Systems, Sensors & Edge AI**: PCB Design (Altium, Eagle), Microcontrollers (ESP32, STM32), Edge AI (NVIDIA Jetson, Xavier), ToF Depth Cameras, RGB-D Sensing, LiDAR, Real-Time Acquisition, Embedded Sensing Pipelines.
- **Rapid Prototyping, Fabrication & Computational Design**: Rapid Prototyping, CAD, Fusion 360, Rhino, Grasshopper, 3D Modeling, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, CNC Fabrication, Digital Fabrication, Wearable Prototyping, Digital Knitting, Smart Textiles, Physical Computing.

## Scientific Skills

- **Planetary Science**: Lunar and planetary surface imaging, visible and near-infrared sensing, reflectance analysis, optical maturity assessment, regolith characterization, and planetary analog studies.
- **3D Reconstruction**: Depth sensing, RGB-D imaging, time-of-flight sensing, microtopographic terrain modeling, multimodal data fusion, and real-time spatial workflows.
- **Scientific Instrumentation**: Scientific imaging system design, multimodal sensor integration, hardware control, sensor calibration, field and lab data acquisition, and experimental sensing workflows.
- **Planetary Robotics**: Robotic perception for planetary exploration, rover payload integration, mission software pipelines, terrain awareness systems, and science operations support.
- **Computational Analysis**: Quantitative image analysis, grayscale and reflectance-based measurement, signal interpretation, preprocessing, calibration workflows, and comparative analysis across simulants and conditions.
- **Simulation Environments**: Scientific digital twins, simulation environments, immersive visualization, telepresence, hybrid real-virtual systems, and spatial interfaces for mission operations.
- **Research Methods**: Fundamental reasoning, controlled sensing studies, comparative testing, instrument evaluation, scientific validation, prototype iteration, and interdisciplinary research methods.
- **Scientific Communication**: Academic writing, scientific visualization, interdisciplinary communication, publication development, conference presentation, and translating engineering systems into scientific workflows.

## Awards & Recognition

- IEEE Pervasive Computing Article Cover — Vol. 24, Issue 4, 2026. [link](https://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/pc/2025/04)
- We Are Going to the Moon — Recap — Dell Technologies World 2025, 2025. [link](https://www.dell.com/content/dam/web-resources/project-specific/events/dell-technologies-world/2025/files/we-are-going-to-the-moon-recap.pdf)
- MIT Send Three Payloads to the Moon — MIT News, 2025. [link](https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-prepare-send-three-payloads-moon-0225)
- Lunar Mission Control — Inploration, 2025. [link](https://www.richelleellis.com/projects/lunar-mission-control/)
- IM-2 Payload Operators  — SpaceNews, 2025. [link](https://spacenews.com/how-im-2-payload-operators-made-the-most-of-the-missions-landing-issues/)
- Arctic Space Analog in Svalbard — MIT Media Lab, 2023. [link](https://medium.com/mit-media-lab/arctic-space-analog-in-svalbard-3b83ba580a9d)
- IEEE Best Paper of the Year — IEEE Pervasive Computing, 2023.
- SXSW Innovation Award — South by Southwest, 2022. [link](https://sxsw.com/news/2022/2022-sxsw-innovation-awards-winners-announced/)
- MIT Will Return to the Moon — Forbes, 2022. [link](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2022/11/09/mit-will-return-to-the-moon-for-the-first-time-since-apollo-thanks-to-this-space-startup/)
- MIDI Innovation Award — International MIDI Association, 2022. [link](https://www.namm.org/attendee/winners-second-annual-midi-awards-announced)

## Links

- [Website](https://donderek.cc)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9e4IcxYAAAAJ)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/d0nd3r3k)
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/donhaddad/)
- [MIT Profile](https://www.media.mit.edu/people/ddh/overview/)
- Email: ddh@media.mit.edu