Skip to content
Main Menu

Home Team

Team


Team Header

The Team

A mission-driven team of military leaders, academic innovators, and research strategists working to shape the future of national readiness.

Team Slides

01/03
Jim McDonough
Executive Director,
Department of Defense Research
Leads Department of Defense research strategy and engagement across the university. Jim directs efforts to align the University of Utah’s research strengths with the strategic needs of the Department of Defense. He supports faculty navigating DoD funding pathways, facilitates cross-sector collaborations, and cultivates partnerships with military, federal, and industry stakeholders.

Contact Jim for guidance on engaging with the DoD, developing competitive proposals, or shaping research initiatives around national security, resilience, and defense priorities.
M. Austin Johnson MD
Medical Research Director
Dr. Johnson leads medical research engagement within the AM&E Lab. Dr. Johnson is the Vice Chair of Research within the Department of Emergency Medicine and runs a translational research laboratory focused on critical care robotics. In the AME Lab, Dr. Johnson focuses on aligning research across the university with DOD gaps and priorities.

Contact Dr. Johnson for guidance on biomedical and engineering topics related to military health. 
Jacob Hochalter
Engineering Research Director
Leads engineering engagement within the AM&E Lab and aerospace research strategy across the university. Jacob directs the Aerospace Hub and M' Lab at the University of Utah, which both aim to develop cross-disciplinary research strengths related to material and structural reliability for military readiness and public safety.

Contact Jacob for guidance on engineering engagements with the AM&E Lab and developing engineering-focused cross-college proposals that have DoD focus.

Secondary Team

Research & Business Support Leads

Cyndi Taranto
Research Development Associate III
Cyndi coordinates proposal development for AM&E Lab projects, managing timelines, deliverables, and communications to ensure high-quality submissions. She serves as the primary liaison between principal investigators and the AM&E team, facilitating alignment on requirements, content, and strategy throughout the proposal process.
Laura King
Business Relations Manager
Laura ensures unified daily operations at the AM&E Lab by coordinating budgets, managing key logistical and office support functions, and maintaining departmental records to uphold the lab’s high standards of efficiency and readiness. Works closely with the executive leadership, facilitating scheduling, communications, and document management—enabling researchers and directors to focus on translating cutting-edge innovations into field-ready solutions.