Keith F. Prussing, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL) at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). Dr. Prussing earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Physics in 2016. Dr. Prussing’s current work focuses on simulating realistic imagery across the electro-optical and infrared spectrum. Dr. Prussing is a lead developer of Georgia Tech Simulation Integrated Modeling System (GTSIMS) in which he works to improve the representation of light propagation through the atmosphere, incorporation of background clutter features, and generally improve the interoperability and efficiency of the GTSIMS of the GTSIMS framework. Dr. Prussing is also the maintainer of Georgia Tech Signature (GTSIG) and its first principle thermal modeling capabilities which is an integral part of infrared signature prediction. Dr. Prussing is the course administrator for the Infrared/Visible Signature Suppression course offered by EOSL as part of the Certificate in Infrared and Electro-Optical Technology through Georgia Tech Professional Education. This course covers: basic signature concerns for ground, sea, and air vehicles, modeling and analysis techniques with a focus on vehicle signatures, and an overview of suppression techniques. Dr. Prussing’s research interests include: near field radiative transfer between closely nanoscale objects, radiative transfer through participating media in complex geometries, electromagnetic wave scattering from arbitrary geometries, and solving sparse, symmetric, systems of non-linear equations.

Fields of Interest

• Teaching computers to solve complex physical problems
• Evaluating methods and techniques for synthetic data generation
• Physically accurate modeling of infrared and visible imagery
• Radiative exchange in open environments to understand energy balance in complex environments
• Methods to solve sparse, symmetric, block systems of non-linear equations like those associated with heat transfer
• Integrating Open Source development practices with traditional academic pursuits
• Applying Open Sources methods to develop methods for creating reproducible results and teaching these methods to other researchers
• Methods to transform “simple,” easy to write plain text documentation to formally typeset documentation
• Teaching all and sundry how and why infrared and visible detection are are critical bands to model and simulate

Education

December 2015 Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA :

• Doctor of Philosophy in Physics with a minor in Chemistry
• Thesis title: An Investigation of Surface Shape Effects on Near-field Radiative Transfer
• Overall GPA: 3.71

May 2009 Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA :

• Bachelor of Science in Physics
• Graduated summa cum laude
• Overall GPA: 3.95

2005-2007 Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA :

• Accumulating transfer credits
• Member of the National Scholars Honor Society
• Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars

2001-2004 Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta, GA :

• Candidate for a Bachelor of Arts in Music

Work Experience

2007-Present Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA :

• EWSMS Division Chief Scientist (interim) (2025-Present)
• Senior Research Scientist (2021-Present)
• Research Engineer II (2016-2021)
• Tech Temp (2015-2016)
• Graduate Research Assistant (2009-2015)
• Student Research Assistant (2007-2009)

• Demonstrated prediction of ground temperatures using widely available tools for integration into real-time simulation environment.
• Converted proof-of-concept volumetric cloud rendering into production level utility.
• Contributed to capabilities analysis report for hardware-in-the-loop testing as a synthetic scene generation subject matter expert.
• Revised MODTRAN calculation routine to reduce atmospheric generation time from weeks to hours.
• Adapted the cloud and terrain rendering procedures to work with a third party rendering engine.
• Co-lead developer on improved simulation framework for predicting infrared and visible signatures in complex environments.
• Enhanced OpenGL rendering engine to handle large scale terrains for infrared search and track algorithm development.
• Integrated physically accurate star field background into OpenGL simulation engine for simulating night time engagements and resident space objects.
• Course administrator for the Infrared/Visible Signature Suppression course through Georgia Tech Professional Education.
• Unified and updated atmospheric model in engagement simulation framework to correctly compute path radiance and atmospheric transmittance.
• Consulted on calibrating infrared sensors for remotely measuring temperature during high energy laser testing.
• Implemented full dynamic Bidirectional Reflection Distribution Function (BRDF) into terrain rendering for engagement simulation framework.
• Integrated high cirrus cloud model into engagement simulations.
• Incorporated background orientation into fundamental model for thermal signature prediction software.
• Build and analyze thermal networks for predicting infrared signatures.
• Assist missile model developers with integrating their missile models into an overall simulation framework.
• Assisted implementing a multi-hypothesis tracking algorithm for radar simulation in Fortran.
• Investigated surface shape effects on near-field radiative transfer to direct energy
• Developed Python package to interface with a boundary element method library written in C
• Lead development of a framework to process hyper-spectral imagery overnight and in situ for spot checking
• Studied electromagnetic wave scattering from non-spherical particles
• Studied performance parameters of counter flow cooling towers to understand energy emission under normal load to monitor power plant efficiency
• Implemented five degree of freedom rigid body model for untracked, four wheel land vehicles under normal conditions
• Interfaced vehicle model with MySQL database for simulation of complex urban environments
• Implemented routine to incorporate motion capture data into simulation of complex urban environments
• Aided development of a framework to simulate visible and infrared signatures in complex environments
• Implemented a finite difference algorithm to solve Fourier’s heat equation
• Connected finite difference method to MySQL database to extract simulation parameters for complex scenes
• Investigated lattice Boltzmann method as a means to couple radiative and conductive energy transport for predicting thermal signature
• Security clearance: Secret

Short Courses

Publications

Dissertation

1. K. F. Prussing, “An Investigation of Surface Shape Effects on Near-field Radiative Transfer,” PhD Dissertation, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 2015. Accessed: Jan. 21, 2019. [Online]. Available: http://hdl.handle.net/1853/54321

Published Journal Papers

1. N. P. Bertrand, J. Lee, K. F. Prussing, S. Shapero, and C. J. Rozell, “Infrared Search and Track With Unbalanced Optimal Transport Dynamics Regularization,” IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, pp. 1–5, 2020, doi: 10.1109/LGRS.2020.3014534.

Conference Presentations with Proceedings (refereed)

1. K. F. Prussing, “An evaluation of synthetic infrared image generation tools,” in Synthetic Data for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Tools, Techniques, and Applications III, SPIE, May 2025, pp. 317–323. doi: 10.1117/12.3052775.
2. K. F. Prussing, C. E. Cordell, Jr., and D. Levy, “A unified infrared and radio frequency simulation environment,” in Synthetic Data for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Tools, Techniques, and Applications II, SPIE, June 2024, pp. 15–24. doi: 10.1117/12.3013502.
3. K. F. Prussing and C. E. C. Jr, “Lazy table building for high-dimensional look up table generation,” in Synthetic Data for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Tools, Techniques, and Applications, SPIE, June 2023, pp. 99–102. doi: 10.1117/12.2662738.
4. K. F. Prussing, C. E. Cordell, Jr., O. Pierson, B. Walker, J. Moore, and Y. Z. Beck, “General high-fidelity omni-spectral toolbox,” in Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXXIII, SPIE, May 2022, pp. 52–57. doi: 10.1117/12.2618771.
5. D. A. Hope, M. Birch, C. E. Cordell, Jr., K. F. Prussing, and C. R. Valenta, “Dynamic Model Integration and Simulation Engine (DMISE) Assisted Design of Future Sensor Networks in Support of Space Traffic Management,” in Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS), Maui, HI, Sept. 2021. [Online]. Available: https://amostech.com/TechnicalPapers/2021/Poster/Hope.pdf
6. K. F. Prussing, A. Zacharias, and J. Corker, “Estimation of Thruster Plumes for Resident Space Object Optical Observation,” in Sensors and Systems for Space Applications XIII, International Society for Optics and Photonics, Apr. 2020, p. 114220B. doi: 10.1117/12.2552075.
7. K. F. Prussing, C. R. Valenta, C. E. Cordell, A. Zacharias, and L. R. Churchill, “Stellar Background Rendering for Space Situational Awareness Algorithm Development,” in Algorithms, Technologies, and Applications for Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imagery XXV, International Society for Optics and Photonics, May 2019, p. 109860Z. doi: 10.1117/12.2519009.
8. K. F. Prussing, C. R. Valenta, C. E. Cordell, and L. R. Churchill, “Night Sky Rendering for Satellite Tracking Simulation,” in 2019 MSS Parallel Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, Feb. 2019.
9. K. F. Prussing, O. Pierson, C. Cordell, J. Stewart, and K. Nielson, “Enhanced Backgrounds in Scene Rendering with GTSIMS,” in Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXIX, International Society for Optics and Photonics, May 2018, p. 106250O. doi: 10.1117/12.2304864.
10. E. M. Burdette, C. S. Nichols, S. E. Lane, K. F. Prussing, and J. M. Cathcart, “Imaging FTIR Emissivity Measurement Method,” 2013, pp. 88700B-88700B–7. doi: 10.1117/12.2023415.
11. K. Prussing, J. M. Cathcart, and B. Kocher, “Human Motion Analysis and Modeling,” in Sensors, and Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Technologies for Homeland Security and Homeland Defense X, International Society for Optics and Photonics, June 2011, p. 80190L. doi: 10.1117/12.884480.
12. J. M. Cathcart, K. Prussing, and B. Kocher, “Human Motion Analysis and Characterization,” in Sensors, and Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Technologies for Homeland Security and Homeland Defense X, International Society for Optics and Photonics, June 2011, p. 80190M. doi: 10.1117/12.884481.
13. J. M. Cathcart, B. Kocher, K. Prussing, S. Lane, and A. Thomas, “Multimodal Signature Modeling of Humans,” presented at the Active and Passive Signatures, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2010, pp. 76870D-76870D–7. doi: 10.1117/12.850688.

Conference Presentations with Proceedings (non-refereed)

1. L. Renegar, C. R. Valenta, G. Badura, K. F. Prussing, B. C. Gunter, and D. Wu, “Design of Experiments to Verify Photometric Models of Resident Space Objects,” in 2nd IAA Conference on Space Situational Awareness, Washington, D.C., Jan. 2020.

Conference Presentations without Proceedings

1. A. Zacharias, “Positional Thruster Detection: An image Processing Approach for Space Situational Awareness,” presented at the Symposium on Space Innovations, Atlanta, GA, Nov. 17, 2019.
2. K. F. Prussing, “Numerical Investigation of Particle Shape Effects on Near-field Electromagnetic Flux,” presented at the Sixteenth Annual Directed Energy Symposium, Hutsville, AL, Mar. 11, 2014.
3. K. Prussing and M. Cathcart, “Numerical Investigation of Particle Shape Effects on the Spatial Distribution of Near-field Electromagnetic Flux,” in Bulletin of the American Physical Society, American Physical Society, Nov. 2013. Accessed: Mar. 17, 2014. [Online]. Available: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2013.SES.HA.6

Technical Reports

1. K. F. Prussing, “Refraction of Light Through the Atmosphere,” Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA, Technical Note, Sept. 2025.
2. G. Alston, D. Davis, B. DiDonna, W. Reynolds, and K. F. Prussing, “Realistic Image and Neighborhood Generator (RING),” Air Force Research Lab Kirtland AFB, Alburquerque, NM, Final Report AFRL-RD-PS-TR-20XX-XXXX, Jan. 2020. #. K. F. Prussing, “Realistic Image and Neighborhood Generator (RING) Sequential Phase II,” Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA, Final, Sept. 2025.
3. G. Alston, D. Davis, B. DiDonna, W. Reynolds, and K. F. Prussing, “Realistic Image and Neighborhood Generator (RING): Synthetic Scene Generation for Wide Application including High Performance Computing Environments,” Air Force Research Lab Kirtland AFB, Alburquerque, NM, Final Report AFRL-RD-PS-TR-20XX-XXXX, Oct. 2022.
4. K. F. Prussing, “Recent Developments in Soldier and Vehicle Signature Management Technologies,” Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA, Technical Research Report DSIAC-2020-1242, Feb. 2020.
5. K. F. Prussing, “Object in Space Plume Rendering Evaluation (OSPRE),” Center for Space Technology and Research, Atlanta, GA, CSTAR Fellowship Report, July 2019.
6. K. F. Prussing, “Calibration Procedure for High Temperature Measurement,” Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, Final Report, Jan. 2017.

Software Development

Professional Projects

• General High-fidelity Omni-Spectral Toolbox (GHOST): First principle tools set for modeling engagements of visibile, infrared, and radio frequency scenarios. Specifically focused on the visible and infrared image prediction.
• Dynamic Model Integration and Simulation Engine (DMISE): Modeling and simulation framework for composing complex scenarios from generic model.
• Georgia Tech Signature Model (GTSIG): First principles based thermal network solfer for infrared signature prediction written in FORTRAN 77.
• Georgia Tech Simulations Integrated Modeling System (GTSIMS): Engagement simulation framework for visible and infrared image prediction written in C, C++, Fortran, and Ada.

Open Source Projects

Personal

• FindLatexmk: CMake module to locate Latexmk and add documents to a build as targets.
• kpruss: The Sphinx theme for my websites.
• pandoc-acro: A Pandoc filter to manage and convert acronyms.
• pandoc-div2env: A Pandoc filter to convert marked Divs to LaTeX environments with possible arguments.
• scons-dtxtools: SCons Tool for working with LaTeX Doc and Docstrip files.
• scons-inkscape: A SCons Tool for converting images using Inkscape (contributed to the SCons Foundation).
• scons-pandoc: A SCons Tool for working with Pandoc (contributed to the SCons Foundation).
• secretx: A LaTeX package for aiding in properly marking the importance of document sections.
• vtimshow: A plugin for ViTables to visualize datasets with PyQtGraph:
• zenburn-latex: Translation of the Zenburn color scheme for Vim for use in LaTeX.

Contributor

• SCons: An Open Source software construction tool. Specifically improvements to the LaTeX processing.
• Cloudgen: Contributed the CMake build system and Python bindings for the original Cloudgen along with basic maintenance
• findFFTW: CMake module for finding FFTW 3 using find_package.
• fson: Fortran 95 JSON Parser
• netcdf-c: The Unidata network Common Data Form (netCDF) C interface.
• panflute: A Python module for writing Pandoc filters.
• scons-contrib: A repo for user contributed SCons Builders and other tools. Specifically, the Pandoc and Inkscape Tools.
• ViTables: A graphical tool for browsing and editing files in both PyTables and HDF5 format.
• zotero-cli: Command line interface to the Zotero API.

Outreach and Service

Professional Activities

• International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2025-Present, Senior Member
• International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2024-Present, Synthetic Data for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Tools, Techniques, and Applications. Conference Program Committee
• International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2018-Present, Member

On Campus Activities

• Center for Space Technology and Research, 2019-Present, Member
• Center for Space Technology and Research, 2019-2020, Fellow, Title: Object in Space Plume Rendering (OSPRE)
• Electronic-Warfare Community of Interest, 2017-Present, Member

Conference and Session Chair

• International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2025-Present, Synthetic Data for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Tools, Techniques, and Applications III, Co-Chair

Awards

• 2019 Georgia Institute of Technology C-STAR Fellow

Additional Outreach

• 2025 Oakcliff Theme School Career Day
• 2025 EOSL Promotion Committee
• 2023 EOSL Promotion Committee
• 2021 Volunteer for Doraville 150th celebration

Skills and Interests

Software

Apache Subversion, Apple OS X, Bison, Bourne Shell, C/C++, CMake, Flex, Fortran, Git, GNU Compiler Collection, GNU Tool Chain, HTML, Java, LaTeX, Markdown, MATLAB, Mercurial, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Microsoft Visual Studio, Mutt, MySQL, OpenGL, Pandoc, Python, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, reStructuredText, SCons, Vim

Computational methods

Boundary element method, Euler method, Finite difference method, Gauss-Seidel algorithm, Hartree-Fock method, Jacobi method, Lattice Boltzmann method, Method of moments, Molecular dynamics, Runge-Kutta method, Simultaneous over-relaxation, T-matrix scattering

Physics

Carnot engine, Coordinate transformation, Electrodynamics, Heat transfer, Kinematics, Optics, Otto engine, Quantum mechanics, Radiative transfer, Rigid body dynamics, Statistical mechanics, Thermodynamics, Vehicle dynamics

Mathematics

Differential equations, Dyadic algebra, Fourier transform, Green functions, Laplace transform, Linear algebra, Separation of variables, Vector algebra

Interests

Electromagnetic wave scattering, Fetch, Fourier heat equation, Heat transfer, High performance computing, Modeling, Parallel programming, Radiative transfer, Rendering, Rock climbing, Simulation, Typesetting

Communication

Email, German (basic), Journal articles, Meetings, Presentations, Public speaking, Technical reports

Sales

Cash handling, Credit handling, Customer relations, DiSC Sales Training, Electrical, Friedman Retail Sales Training, Freight handling, Inventory control, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, PMSA Relationship Selling Program, Shipping/Receiving, SUM/IT point of sale system, Time management, Tri-Tech point of sale system, Yamaha Certified Sales Professional

Musical Instruments

Clarinet (Bass, Contra-Alto, Soprano), Euphonium, Guitar, Mandolin, Trombone, Trumpet