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0000-0002-6313-8563 Hi! I’m Kara Combs!
I am a computer engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory. I hold a Ph.D. in operations research, a M.S. in industrial and human factors engineering, and a B.S. in industrial and systems engineering. My research focuses on enhancing defense applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) through biologically-inspired mechanisms based on analogical reasoning, neuroscience, and more! I have 20+ peer-reviewed publications and have presented my work at 30+ conferences. I am active in several professional societies and K-12 STEM outreach events.
Recent News
March 2026
Graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. in Operations Research
Presentation accepted at the 94th Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Symposium
Analogy2KG (“Analogy to Knowledge Graph”) article published in Knowledge-based Systems journal (see here)
February 2026
TechFest Dayton 2026 had over 2,500+ attendees, of which 1,500+ were K-12 students, check out over 50 exhibitors and presenters at the event over President’s Day weekend (see 2 News WDTN feature here)
Nominated at the division-level for the 2025 Dr. Samuel M. Burka Memorial Award, the 2025 Lab Scientist of the Fourth Quarter, and the Veiled Director’s Cup Team Award
