Montana Testbeds for Derisking and Demonstrating Optical Sensing Technologies

March 27, 2026
Join the Headwaters Tech Hub and Testbeds Project Lead Paul Lukacs as we learn about the testbeds sites and opportunities here in Montana. Innovation in Montana isn't just about what happens in a lab; it’s about what happens 3,000 feet underground in a mine tunnel or out in a 20,000-acre forest. We are excited to share a deep dive into Autonomous Smart Systems and Integrated Sensor Testbeds (ASSIST), our collaborative effort with the University of Montana, Montana State, Montana Tech, and Grand Farm. This project is built to derisk and demonstrate technologies where they actually matter—in the rugged, real-world environments that define our state.
speaker
Paul
Lukacs
Dr. Paul M. Lukacs currently serves as a research administrator and faculty member at the University of Montana. Originally from New Jersey, Paul attended the University of Montana earning a BS in Wildlife Biology. He earned an MS and PhD from Colorado State University in Fish and Wildlife Biology. Paul spent six years as a biometrician for Colorado Parks and Wildlife before reentering academia as Assistant Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Ecology at the University of Montana. Paul worked his way up through the faculty ranks with an active portfolio of teaching, research, and service. While a faculty member, Paul co-founded SpeedGoat Wildlife Solutions, LLC as a technology transfer company from his university research. He served as a Department Chair, Associate Dean of the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and Associate Vice President. Currently, Paul serves as Interim Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship.