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About

Mark R. Patterson is a pioneering researcher in marine robotics and autonomous systems, with a primary focus on the application of unmanned vehicles for environmental monitoring and security. His most influential work centers on developing controller performance for marine robots conducting autonomous surveys in oil spill-affected environments, notably during the Deepwater Horizon disaster. His 2014 paper on collaborative autonomous surveys (25 citations) and his 2012 work on controller performance (15 citations) demonstrate how path-following and formation controllers enable robots to collectively measure pollution in hazardous waters. Patterson also explores the dual-use nature of unmanned systems, warning in his 2010 paper (12 citations) about the falling barriers to entry for terrorist groups creating sophisticated robots. Beyond technical contributions, he advances informal science education through a National Science Foundation-supported STEM experiment (8 citations) that brings professional-grade ROVs and AUVs to museum visitors surveying Revolutionary War shipwrecks. His work bridges cutting-edge marine robotics with public engagement, while his early 2000 paper (3 citations) presciently flagged emerging conflicts between AUVs and scientific diving. With over 60 total citations, Patterson’s research remains vital for understanding how autonomous systems can both protect and threaten waterside security.