Timothy Marler

Senior Research Engineer; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, University of Iowa; M.S. in mechanical engineering, Penn State University; B.S. in mechanical engineering, University of Rochester

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Tim Marler is a senior research engineer at the RAND corporation and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His work revolves around modeling and simulation with a focus on multi-objective optimization, human modeling and simulation, training simulators and virtual environments, VR/AR, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technology.

Over his career, Marler has worked on projects involving technology assessment and forecasting; mathematical algorithm analysis and development; training simulators; human systems integration; system integration software for electromechanical systems; and computational models for equipment distribution, injury prevention, human performance prediction, and motion capture analysis. He is particularly interested in growing research programs based on interrelated projects, often centered on software development.

He is a cofounder and colead for the RAND Biological Technologies' Emerging Challenges (BioTEC) Group and the RAND Health Biotechnology and Bioeconomy Strategy Group. He leads the VR/AR thrust for RAND's Tech + Narrative Lab. He currently serves on the Department of Commerce's Materials and Equipment Technical Advisory Committee within the Bureau of Industry and Security.

Marler spent seventeen years at the University of Iowa's Center for Computer Aided Design, where he was assistant director of the Virtual Soldier Research lab, codirector of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology lab, and an adjunct professor with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Additional experience ranges from software design to manufacturing, at Ford Motor Company, Amana, Pacific Northwest National Lab, and Hon.

Marler holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.

Research Focus

Pardee RAND Graduate School Courses

Multi-Objective Optimization: Practical Use and Policy Applications

Recent Projects

AI at The Helm of a Species Evolution, Exploring Policy Considerations at the Intersection of AI and Biotechnology
Training Technology Roadmap for Homeland Security
Strategy and Process to Improve Army-Wide Modeling and Simulation
Live, Virtual, and Constructive Systems for Space Force Training and Readiness
Tools and Support for Human Systems Integration with The Future Vertical Lift Demonstrations

Selected Publications

T. Marler, D. Young, "The Pragmatic Road to a Ph.D.," Times Higher Education, 2018

M. Bataineh, T. Marler, "Neural Network for Regression Problems with Reduced Training Sets," Neural Networks, 2017

T. Marler, N. Capdevila, J. Kersten, A. Taylor, S. Wanger, J. MacKiewicz, "Human Simulation for Task-Based Survivability Analysis," International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2016

T. Marler, J. Arora, Multi-Objective Optimization: Concepts and Methods for Engineering, VDM Verlag, 2009

Commentary

Military Education and Training

Unlocking Training Technology for Multi-Domain Operations
Multi-domain operations (MDO) can present many challenges for training. Involvement of various disparate organizations and services can exacerbate these challenges and can require balancing centralized coordination with decentralized training objectives. If MDO is to provide new benefits, the training community may need to solve old problems. It may need to communicate more effectively.
Jan 24, 2023
Dubai International Air Chiefs' Association
Military Tactics

Ukraine's Lessons for the Future of Hybrid Warfare
A new decision-analysis approach is necessary to capture the use of disinformation in the context of hybrid warfare. Multiple tools must be integrated to help generate a robust policy response to modern hybrid threats.
Nov 28, 2022
The National Interest
Biotechnology

Biotechnology and Today's Warfighter
Biotechnology has a broad and often misunderstood scope, one with significant implications for today's warfighter, and it may be reaching a critical junction. As it continues to mature, proactive policy becomes necessary for the federal government to leverage emerging capabilities effectively and remain competitive.
Oct 25, 2022
Defense Dossier
Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

Embracing Intrinsic Cultural Advantages in Innovation
The United States has long enjoyed the benefits of novel technology, but it could lose ground soon as other countries advance. Could it be time for the United States to embrace the advantages in innovation that it holds relative to near-peers like China?
Jul 15, 2022
RealClearWorld
Emerging Technologies

The Metaverse: What It Is and Is Not
The metaverse is quickly expanding, but its meaning remains unclear. Until an agreement on a definition of “metaverse” is reached, efforts to manage the technology development and related public policy could be muddled at best.
Jun 20, 2022
Inside Sources
Military Technology

Beware the Allure of Training Technology
In addition to focusing on acquiring technology that helps retain a competitive advantage, the U.S. Department of Defense could also focus on codifying processes that align technology with user needs and that adapt as technology, military operations, and needs change. Considering context when planning the development and use of training technology could be crucial.
May 18, 2022
Defense News
Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

The Bright Appeal of New Tech May Overshadow Practical Business
Law enforcement departments are increasingly considering using augmented reality and virtual reality for training. How can the AR/VR industry be incentivized to ensure that content responds to user needs and is accessible?
Aug 24, 2021
Inside Sources
Emerging Technologies

China Is Organizing the VR Industry. The United States Could Do the Same
Given the potential value of virtual reality as a tool—and the increasing competition from China—the United States could focus more energy on advancing VR in a coordinated fashion. Otherwise, America risks missing an opportunity to excel internationally with a valuable and broadly applicable emerging technology.
Aug 23, 2021
The National Interest
Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

Now Could Be the Time to Form Policy for Emerging Brain- and Body-Enhancement Technologies
Policymakers might consider developing appropriate policy frameworks for emerging brain- and body-enhancement technologies to ensure that innovations harnessed for societal, economic, or military benefits do not create new vulnerabilities and that governments adequately defend and manage against potential attacks. The technology is quickly moving forward. Policy may need to play catch-up.
Jan 12, 2021
RealClearDefense
Bioethics

Biology, in the Language of the People
As technology and the ability to gather ever-growing amounts of data move further into the realms of biology and human performance, communication and transparency become increasingly important. Experts should consider whether they are using the words, examples, and models that connect with a broad audience most effectively.
Feb 21, 2019
Annals of Biostatistics & Biometric Applications
Decisionmaking

The American Intellectual Property
In a continued search for competitive advantage, the United States may be asking the wrong question. Perhaps the question should be, how to most effectively cultivate what is inherent in Americans.
Dec 19, 2017
RealClearDefense

Publications

Report
Adaptive Engagement for Undergoverned Spaces: Concepts, Challenges, and Prospects for New Approaches
This report is a compendium of expert insights regarding opportunities for investing in science and technology to increase U.S. ability to engage in long-term competition in undergoverned spaces.
Jul 13, 2022
Report
What Is JADC2, and How Does It Relate to Training? An Air Force Perspective on Joint All Domain Command and Control
Given anticipated changes in warfare, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is a critical new concept that is still developing. For JADC2 to be effective, it must be clear across all echelons, and there must be consistent communication.
Jun 14, 2022
Report
Supporting Joint Warfighter Readiness: Opportunities and Incentives for Interservice and Intraservice Coordination with Training-Simulator Acquisition and Use
As conflicts increasingly involve joint operations, joint simulation-based training becomes more important. The authors examine gaps between joint training needs and current and future resources to improve coordination within and among the services.
Aug 4, 2021
Report
Brain-Computer Interfaces: U.S. Military Applications and Implications, An Initial Assessment
Emerging brain-computer interface technologies may be used to monitor a soldier's cognitive workload, control a drone swarm, or link with a prosthetic, but policy, safety, legal, and ethical issues must be evaluated first.
Aug 27, 2020
Research Brief
How Can the United States Prepare a Workforce for Advanced Manufacturing Using Robotics?
As industrial robots become more advanced, there likely will be a shortage of technicians with the skills to work with, program, and repair them. This brief presents findings of RAND researchers' analysis of the state of training for these workers.
Jul 6, 2020
Report
An Analysis of Education and Training Programs in Advanced Manufacturing Using Robotics
As industrial robots become more advanced, there likely will be a shortage of human workers with the technical and nontechnical skills to work with, program, and repair these robots. RAND researchers assess the state of training for these workers.
Jul 6, 2020
Journal Article
Effective Game-Based Training for Police Officer Decision-Making: Linking Missions, Skills, and Virtual Content
This paper reports the result of a two-year pilot study that developed a framework for implementing low-cost, game-based, virtual reality technology for training police officers to improve their decision-making under stress.
2020
Report
Reflections on the Future of Warfare and Implications for Personnel Policies of the U.S. Department of Defense
This Perspective summarizes and synthesizes material from a workshop addressing how U.S. Department of Defense personnel policies may evolve to address future warfare environments, which are expected to be heavily influenced by advanced technologies.
Oct 16, 2019
Report
Collective Simulation-Based Training in the U.S. Army: User Interface Fidelity, Costs, and Training Effectiveness
The U.S. Army uses virtual systems for collective skills training. This report examines the needs for fidelity in simulators and associated costs to support effective and efficient collective training.
Feb 27, 2019