少女福利

Mary Falcigno 鈥�15 uses her math and computer science skills at an elite research and technology hub, DEVCOM (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command), in the Armaments Center. She is a project officer for a division which detects and mitigates unauthorized or enemy drones. Read in this Q&A how she utilizes skills in artificial intelligence, in what ways St. Mike’s helped shape her path, and how she is using her experience to help mentor others in STEM careers.

Saint Michael’s College: Can you walk us through your journey鈥攆rom Saint Michael鈥檚 College to the Army, your Master鈥檚 program and what you are doing now?

Mary Falcigno ’15 works as a computer scientist in the U.S. Army. She utilizes AI in her work with the drone program. Photo courtesy Mary Falcigno.

Mary Falcigno: I started at St. Mike鈥檚 as a math major and after completing my computer science requirement for that, I discovered my enjoyment of coding. It was only a few more courses, so I added a computer science minor. I got to participate in a summer research experience with both the math and computer science departments twice. Once I graduated, I knew I was interested in federal service because my dad had a long career with the Army Corps of Engineers. I applied for a computer scientist position at a research lab, unsure if just my minor and summer research experience would be enough, but I got hired a few months after graduation. With the rise in interest in AI, my experience in both math and computer science led me to leading data analytics and AI development projects. Marrying my two technical interests, I began pursuing an M.S. in data analytics from NJIT, graduating in May of 2025. Now, I am a project officer for a counter-unmanned aerial system (c-UAS) project, overseeing the cost, schedule, and performance and communicating with various stakeholders across organizations. My education and previous project experience help me communicate with both my technical and managerial team members.

[SMC:] To the extent that you can share, in what ways have you utilized artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in your role as a computer scientist in the U.S. Army?

[MF]: In the C-UAS space, AI/ML has played a major role in keeping our technology fast, smart, and adaptable. As the Army, we have been exploring all the ways this type of software can make our current systems more effective and efficient for our warfighters. At the development level, using AI/ML for tasks such as summarization or writing unclassified code has been a time-saver!

[SMC]: How is AI reshaping the approach to C-UAS as well as data science and analytics?

[MF]: The data science and data analytics realm is an easy starting point, both for C-UAS and other technical fields. In short, if we want good AI/ML, we need good data and tools for analyzing that data. Garbage in, garbage out! So, we have been working heavily on data standardization and wrangling to have the best available data for our AI/ML developers. For drone detection and mitigation, it鈥檚 about staying up to date with what is being done by our adversaries and developing our software accordingly.

[SMC]: The U.S. military is often on the forefront of developing and using new technologies. For those who are interested in where a career in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] could lead, what is it like to work at DEVCOM AC?

[MF]: DEVCOM Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) is definitely a cool and unique organization to call my workplace! As with any other career, there are a few challenges to face, but it鈥檚 the 鈥渂ig picture鈥� that drives many DEVCOM AC employees. We are working on innovative, next-level tech that will help protect soldiers in the future! Sometimes, it feels like we get to be mad scientists and make science fiction into reality. The collaborative and innovative environment that is fostered by being at a research lab is one of the most interesting aspects of my work.

[SMC]: You graduated from St. Mike鈥檚 in 2015 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in computer science. And while that was not that long ago, in technology and AI-terms, a lot has developed in that time period. How are you able to keep up with the rapid acceleration of change, and what qualities have prepared you to do so?

[MF]: Building a strong network has been key to keeping me in the know with all the ever-changing tech. I know that I would lose touch with the latest updates if I stayed in my bubble, no matter how advanced my bubble gets. Over the years at DEVCOM AC, I鈥檝e met and connected with such a range of other computer scientists, engineers, and leaders. Maintaining those connections has given me vectors for asking questions and receiving information that I would have missed out on otherwise. I am a sociable person. Talking with others and being willing to take the time to build those relationships has been a major factor in fostering that networks to keep up with all the tech.

I am always curious and have no problem asking questions! Someone once told me to never call my questions silly or stupid; that wires the brain to trivialize your own curiosity and learning. Instead, I ask plentyof 鈥渃larifying鈥� questions or questions 鈥渇or my own understanding.鈥� Never be afraid to learn more!

[SMC]: How important do you think it is to have ethical use discussions with regard to AI?

[MF]: I think it is definitely crucial. What we do, particularly at DEVCOM AC, impacts a wide range of lives, both military and civilian. The biggest concern for us is the validation and verification of AI/ML鈥檚 outputs. If we are using these tools to make major decisions for the Army, we need to know that the information is not grossly incorrect or skewed. Techniques and methods [addressing] this are a constant source of work.

[SMC]: You are a proponent of STEM careers and have used your time to mentor others on their STEM journey. Can you describe why that is that important to you?

[MF]: Throughout my own journey in STEM, I鈥檝e gone through feeling undirected, confused, or even annoyed at the field. And through it, I didn鈥檛 always have someone to process these thoughts with. Much of my passion for mentoring others through their STEM journey stems (pun intended!) from providing what I feel I lacked. Someone to ask all the questions to. Someone to validate the emotions and thoughts that feel out of place. Someone to provide a different perspective. Many of my mentees are other women of color, and many of the first-generation with no foundational guidance for how to build a network, plan a career, or find opportunities. Again, filling in a missing part for others through my mentorship is so important to me! Once I retire and have finished my own career, I hope to leave a legacy of other strong STEM advocates behind.

[SMC]: In what ways did your experience at St. Mike鈥檚 influence the life and career you have now?

[MF]: One of my biggest non-classroom takeaways from St. Mike鈥檚 was about service to others and outreach. Seeking out the opportunities to do something beyond what I am assigned to do. By job title, I am not a 鈥淪TEM mentor.鈥� But, I believe in supporting my community and giving back. [With respect to] my career, I had such strong, passionate, and intelligent professors throughout my time at St. Mike鈥檚, it was hard to not also feel that way about my education and learning. While it took several years, I knew higher education was in my future with a Master鈥檚 degree. And even outside academia, I鈥檝e pursued several learning opportunities through the Army, both in technical fields and leadership development. This hunger for learning definitely grew over my four years at St. Mike鈥檚.

[SMC]: Anything else you鈥檇 like to add or impart?

[MF]: The learning doesn鈥檛 stop once you leave St. Mike鈥檚. Keep asking questions, seeking out new knowledge, and connecting with those that will help you grow and develop. AI/ML will be an excellent tool to help you on your journey, but it鈥檚 only as good as the development and data that goes into it.

Read the collection of stories on AI at Saint Michael’s College. This story was published as part of the Spring/Summer 2026 edition of The Saint Michael’s College Magazine.聽