Justin W. Gillespie, Ph.D.

Justin W. Gillespie, Ph.D. is a research analyst with CNA’s Advanced Technology and Systems Analysis division. Gillespie is a naval architect with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan. He also earned a Master’s degree in Natural Resources & Environment at the University of Michigan.

While Gillespie’s knowledge spans the entire lifecycle of product development, his prior work has emphasized the design and production phases. Gillespie’s doctoral research focused on creative early-stage ship design methods, particularly related to ship general arrangements. His research employed complex networks to better understand and efficiently generate preliminary naval ship layouts in order to make more informed design decisions. His engineering experience includes internships with naval and commercial shipyards and a multinational chemical manufacturer. Additional professional interests include energy, environment, and water issues, sustainability, physical infrastructure, and logistics.

Gillespie is a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). He is a former recipient of the DoD’s highly selective National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship.