Dr. Jim Miller received his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution joint program in oceanic engineering. He was a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and now is a professor of ocean engineering at the University of Rhode Island where he conducts research and teaches courses in sonar systems engineering, acoustic signal processing, underwater acoustics, marine bio-acoustics, and underwater vehicle design.

1. How did you first become interested in science?
2. What is the focus of your research and why did you choose this field of study?
3. What have been some of the recent discoveries in obstacle avoidance and navigation?
4. How do you use acoustics to detect and avoid underwater obstacles?
5. What challenges have you faced in studying obstacle avoidance?
6. What has most surprised you about avoiding obstacles and navigating?
7. What skills are important in your area of research?
8. What are the opportunities in ocean engineering? Can people without PhD's participate in some way in this type of research?
9. What is the greatest impact/relevance of your research?
10. What continues to inspire you about your work?
11. What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interst in pursuing a career in your field?