Benjamin Cotts Email & Phone Number

United States

At Exponent, Dr. Cotts has performed various types of electromagnetic field evaluations for devices and systems as varied as portable diesel generators, smart meter mesh networks, government/military communications facilities, and transmission and distribution lines (including corona and field effects). In addition, Dr. Cotts regularly receives requests to perform exposure assessments for patients with pacemakers, ICDs and other implantable medical devices.

United Nations Scientific Outreach Programs: IHY 2007-2009, ISWI 2010-2012• Officially represent UN, NASA, and Stanford University at international conferences• Part of 3-person team which established the Global AWESOME Network (Atmospheric Weather Electromagnetic System for Observation Modeling and Education) to promote science in developing countries • Identify talented and motivated scientists in emergent nations and cultivate the development of individual research programs • Established International Workshop Series on VLF Science using the AWESOME Network to aid development of science programs for 35 doctoral participants from 20 countries • Co-Convener, Co-Chair and Scientific Organizing Committee Tunis, Tunisia June 2009 • Co-Convener and Scientific Organizing Committee Sharjah, UAE Feb. 2010

Doctoral Research • Determined global dependence of Lightning-induced Electron Precipitation (LEP)• Developed model of atmospheric impulse response to precipitating electrons from radiation belts• Modeled and confirmed a longitudinal and hemispheric dependence of LEP• Determined energy dependence of LEP on geomagnetic latitudeAdditional Graduate Research • Discovered and modeled sources of long-enduring ionospheric ionization due to lightning• Correlated various relationships between Sprites (and other TLEs) and Ionospheric conductivity disturbances• Discovered and modeled lightning-related ionization sources stronger than solar radiation• Developed model of ionospheric disturbances on skywave paths between VLF transmitter and receiver• Ongoing collaborations with scientists from: Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, France, Denmark, Greece

• Promoted to manager of HAIL research group 2007• Co-authored 3 grant proposals: Office of Naval Research (2); National Science Foundation (1), covering 6 years of research (ongoing) Totaling > $1.7 million• Compose annual reports and conduct program reviews• Host program sponsors, present current results, propose future scientific endeavors and discuss collaborations• Managed 13 sites (in CO, NM, WY, MT, MA, PR and Bermuda) used for research in the HAIL program • Direct oversight of local maintenance personnel at each location • Coordinate targeted scientific campaigns during rare geophysical opportunities • Provide expertise diagnosing and fixing hardware malfunctions in scientific instruments• Managed students in Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program (4 summers, 5 students) • Interviewed, hired, mentored Stanford students interested in scientific graduate degrees • Managed project and mentored students’ development as young scientists • Motivated students to work independently and efficiently • Established project goals, benchmarks, and deliverables• Scientific outreach • Presented over 20 talks to high school physics students and teachers • Proposed research topics and provided guidance for students’ science fair projects • Inspire interest in engineering/science studies and careers

• Selected to participate in Energy Research Undergraduate Laboratory Fellowship (ERULF, sponsored by DOE) program to perform research in Physics • Independent research of phase stability of Main Drive Line for the SLAC Linear Accelerator, in preparation for Linac Coherent Light Source project• Design and build an Interferometer accurate to measure phase stability of 0.003 degrees S-band.

M.S. And Ph. D., Electrical Engineering, Geophysics

Activities and Societies: AGU, URSI, ICAE

B. S., Elec. Engineering

Activities and Societies: Tau Beta Pi, Delta Epsilon Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta. Varsity Cross Country and Track Teams