Charles Turnitsa, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Charles Turnitsa was born in New Jersey, where he spent the better part of his childhood. In his high school years, however, he relocated to the state that would mostly be his home ever since – Virginia. In college, he studied history and computer science, and after graduating he worked for NASA as a scientific programmer, developing the software for experimental systems to collect atmospheric science data. Continuing his career, he spent a decade working in research and development, chiefly for NASA and the US Army, working with complex systems, data models, information models, and data visualization systems.

During that time, he met the woman who would become his partner, and spouse of now over 20 years, Anita Culp. After marrying, and the birth of their daughter, however, Charles was feeling the pull to come back to academic study and research. So, in the early 2000s, he took a position as a research scientist, managing a research laboratory for Old Dominion University. This lab was dedicated to research in the area of computer models, and simulators. While serving there, he first completed an M.S. and then a PhD. His area of specialty was, modeling & simulation – combining his career of working with complex systems, integrated computer designs, with a fascination of modeling knowledge, semantics, and human language. All of this, of course, was possible due to gifts, talents, and interests from the Lord.

Following completion of his doctoral degree, Charles took a position with Columbus State University, teaching computer science and modeling & simulation. While this was a wonderful position, personal matters arose that made it important to move back to the state of Virginia. At that time, he took a position as a research professor with Georgia Tech, working in a lab in Virginia. Returning to research has been very interesting work, there wasn’t enough opportunity to teach, so that led him back to this latest development in his career – a return to teaching at Regent University.

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles
Charles D. Turnitsa: “Model Separation and Challenges to Interoperability in Multi Model Solutions,” in preparation, targeting Simulation.

Andreas Tolk, Charles D. Turnitsa, Saikou Y. Diallo: “Implied Ontological Representation within the Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model,” International Journal of Intelligent Decision Technologies (IDT), Special Issue on Ontology Driven Interoperability for Agile Applications using Information Systems: Requirements and Applications for Agent Mediated Decision Support, Volume 2, Issue 1, pp. 3-19, January 2008

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Applying the Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model in Support of Integratability, Interoperability, and Composability for System-of-Systems Engineering,” Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Volume 5 Number 5, pp. 65-74, IIIS, 2007

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa, Leslie S. Winters: “Composable M&S Web Services for Net-centric Applications,” Journal for Defense Modeling & Simulation (JDMS), Volume 3 Number 1, pp. 27-44, January 2006

Book Chapters
Tuncer Oren, Charles D. Turnitsa, Saurabh Mittal and Saikou Diallo: “Simulation-Based Learning and Education,” Chapter in Mittal, Duruk and Oren (eds.): Guide to Simulation Based Disciplines. Springer, 2017.

Margaret Loper and Charles D. Turnitsa: “Academic Education Supporting the Professional Landscape,” Chapter in Tolk (ed.) The Profession of Modeling and Simulation. Wiley & Sons, 2017.

Charles D. Turnitsa: “Conceptual Modeling,” Chapter in Loper (ed.) Modeling and Simulation in the Systems Engineering Life Cycle. Springer, 2015.

Margaret Loper and Charles D. Turnitsa: “A History of Combat Modeling and Distributed Simulation,” Chapter 10 in Tolk (ed.) Engineering Principals of Combat Modeling and Distributed Simulation. Wiley & Sons, 2012.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Robert D. King, Charles D. Turnitsa, Jose J. Padilla: “Conceptual Modeling for Composition of Model-Based Complex Systems,” Chapter 14 in Robinson, et. al. (eds.): Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation, pp. 355-382, CRC Press, 2011

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Robert D. King, Charles D. Turnitsa: “A Layered Approach to Composition and Interoperation in Complex Systems,” Chapter 3 in Tolk and Jain (eds.): Complex Systems in Knowledge based Environments: Theory, Models and Applications. Studies in Computational Intelligence, SCI 168, pp. 41-74, Springer, 2009

Refereed Conference Proceedings
Charles Turnitsa: “Heterogeneous Models in a Multi-Model System,” Accepted for presentation at Winter Simulation Conference WSC’16, Washington, DC, December 2016.

Charles D. Turnitsa: “Role based Interoperability Approaches within LVC Federations,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’14, Savannah, GA, December 2014

Charles D. Turnitsa: “Multi-Level Educational Experiment in Distributed Simulation,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’14, Savannah, GA, December 2014

Charles D. Turnitsa: “Representing the characteristics of modeled process,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’13, Washington DC, December 2013

Charles D. Turnitsa: “Communication model elements for societal behavior representation using agent based models,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop, 2013, Orlando FL, September 2013

Andreas Tolk and Charles Turnitsa. “Conceptual Modeling with Processes,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’12, Berlin, Germany, December 2012.

Andy Ceranowicz, Kevin Gupton, Dannie E. Cutts, Edward T. Powell, Jason Graff, Charles D. Turnitsa: “A Proposal for a Data Exchange Model Representation Standard” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2012, Orlando FL, April 2012. Best Paper of Conference.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andrew Collins, David Meyr, Solomon Sherfey. “Financial Implications of Modeling and Simulation Standards: Practical Aspects and Theoretical Analysis,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2012, Orlando FL, April 2012.

Charles D. Turnitsa. “Behavior Templates Based on Primitives of Behavior For Human Behavior Signal Generation,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Orlando, FL, September 2011.

Charles D. Turnitsa. “Soft Threats to Critical Infrastructure Networks: Scenario Possibilities and Requirements,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Orlando, FL, September 2011.

Charles D. Turnitsa. ”HuBSiG: Human Behavior Signal Generation for Clutter and Scenarios,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston, MA, April 2011.

Charles D. Turnitsa “Critical Infrastructure Layers for Synthetic Environments,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston, MA, April 2011.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk. “A Taxonomy for Conceptual Models,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston, MA, April 2011.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa, Jose J. Padilla: “How is M&S Interoperability Different from Other Interoperability Domains?” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston MA, April 2011. Best Paper of Conference.

Emily Andrew, Charles D. Turnitsa, and Andreas Tolk. “Software Reuse for Modeling and Simulation,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston, MA, April 2011.

Kevin Gupton, Jeffrey Abbot, Curtis Blais, Kevin Heffner, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Management of C4I and M&S Data Standards with Modular OWL Ontologies” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, Boston MA, April 2011. Best Paper of Conference.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk, Jose Padilla: “Ontology for Simulation,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’10, Boston, December 2010.

Curtis L. Blais, Paul Gustavson and Charles D. Turnitsa: “Exploring Multi-Resolution Human Behavior Modeling using Base Object Models,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2010, Orlando, FL, September 2010

Andreas Tolk and Charles D. Turnitsa: “A Refined Basis for Synthetic Environment Formalisms,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2010, Orlando, FL, September 2010

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk, and Robert H. Kewley: “Further Studies in Primitives of Meaning,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Multi-Conference 2010, Orlando, FL, April 2010

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk, and Robert H. Kewley: “Exploring Primitives of Meaning in Support of Interoperability,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2009, Orlando, FL, September 2009

Andreas Tolk, Curtis L. Blais, Saikou Y. Diallo, and Charles D. Turnitsa: “Conceptual Requirements for Command and Control Languages,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2009, Orlando, FL, September 2009

Andreas Tolk, and Charles D. Turnitsa: “An Extended Interoperability Framework for Joint Composability,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2009, Orlando, FL, September 2009

Andreas Tolk, Charles D. Turnitsa, Saikou Y. Diallo, Rob D. King, and Rafael E. Landaeta: “Engineering Management for Complex Systems,” In Proceedings, 2009 Industrial Engineering Research Conference; May 30 – June 3, 2009, Miami, FL, pp.539-544

John Sokolowski, Charles Turnitsa, Saikou Diallo: “A Conceptual Modeling Method for Critical Infrastructure Modeling,” In Proceedings 41st Annual Simulation Symposium, April 13-16, 2009, Ottawa, Canada. Pp.203-211

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Mathematical Models towards Self-Organizing Formal Federation Languages based on Conceptual Models of Information Exchange Capabilities,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’ 08, Miami, FL, December 2008

Robert D. King, Charles D. Turnitsa: “The Landscape of Assumptions,” In Proceedings, 2008 Spring Simulation Multi-Conference, April 14-17, Ottawa, Canada.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “Knowledge Representation and the Dimensions of Multi-Model Relationship,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’08, Miami, FL, December 2008

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Diallo, Robert King, Charles Turnitsa: “A Layered Approach to Composition and Interoperation in Complex Systems,” Presented at HRA INCOSE, Newport News, VA, November 2008.

Curtis Blais, Jeff Abbott, Saikou Diallo, Stan Levine, Per Gustavsson, & Charles D. Turnitsa: "Coalition battle management language (C-BML) phase 1 specification development progress: an update to the M&S community", In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2008, Orlando FL, September, 2008.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Per M. Gustavsson, Eva Nero, Joakim Wemmergard, Dag Evertsson, Morgan Sjoquist, Mikael Korhonen, Johnny Garcia: “Tactical Situation Object – Enabling Joint Crisis Management Training,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2008, San Diego April 2008. Best Paper of Conference.

Andreas Tolk, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Conceptual Modeling of Information Exchange Requirements based on Ontological Means,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’07, Washington, DC, December 2007.

Andreas Tolk, Charles Turnitsa, Saikou Diallo: “Model-Based Alignment and Orchestration of Heterogeneous Homeland Security Applications Enabling Composition of System of Systems,” In Proceedings, Winter Simulation Conference WSC’07, Washington, DC, December 2007.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “Federated Ontologies Supporting a Merged Worldview for Distributed Systems,” Association for Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) Fall Symposium, FS-07-06, pp. 116-119, AAAI Press, Menlo Park, CA, November 2007.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Saikou Diallo, Andreas Tolk: “Object Models, Messages, Languages The Warfighter Deserves Better,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2007, Orlando, FL, September 2007.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa: “A System View of C-BML,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2007, Orlando, FL, September 2007.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Model-Based Data Engineering: Preparing a Paradigm Shift towards Self-Organizing Information Exchange,” In Proceedings, Summer Simulation Conference SCSC’07, San Diego, CA, July 2007.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Charles D. Turnitsa: “Data, Models, Federations, Common Reference Models, and Model Theory,” In Proceedings, European Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2007, Genoa, Italy, June 2007.

Charles D. Turnitsa, Curtis L. Blais, Andreas Tolk: “Filling in the Ontology Space for Coalition Battle Management Language,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2007, Norfolk, VA, March 2007

Andreas Tolk, Charles D. Turnitsa, Saikou Diallo: “Data Engineering for the Web-Based Integration of Homeland Security Applications,” In Proceedings, I/ITSEC 2006, Orlando FL, December 2006.

Andreas Tolk, Charles D. Turnitsa, Gunnar Öhlund, Gokay Sursal: “A Web-Portal Based Approach for Knowledge Networks in Support of the Pathfinder Programme,” In Proceedings RTA/MSG Conference on “Transforming Training and Experimentation through M&S,” Rome, Italy, October 2006

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “Ontology Applied - Techniques employing Ontological Representation for M&S,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2006, Orlando, Florida, September 2006

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo: “Merging Protocols, Grammar, Representation, and Ontological Approaches in Support of C-BML,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2006, Orlando, Florida, September 2006

Charles D. Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “With All Your Knowing Get Understanding – Conceptual Interoperability and the Net-Centric Value Chain,” In Proceedings, Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (CCRTS), San Diego, CA, June 2006.

Charles Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “Battle Management Language: A Triangle with Five Sides,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2006, Huntsville, AL, April 2006.

Curtis Blais, Charles Turnitsa, and Per Gustavsson: “A Strategy for Ontology Research for the Coalition Battle Management Language (C-BML) Product Development Group,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2006, Orlando, Florida, September 2006.

Charles Turnitsa, Andreas Tolk: “Ontology of the C2IEDM – Further studies to enable Semantic Interoperability,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2005, Orlando, FL, September 2005

Charles Turnitsa: “Extending the Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model,” In Proceedings, Summer Computer Simulation Conference 2005, Philadelphia, New Jersey, July 2005 .

Andreas Tolk and Charles Turnitsa: “Evaluation of the C2IEDM as an Interoperability-Enabling Ontology,” In Proceedings, European Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2005, Toulouse, France, June 2005.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Diallo, Kevin Dupigny, Bo Sun, Charles Turnitsa: “A Layered Web Services Architecture to Adapt Legacy Systems to the Command & Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM),” In Proceedings, European Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2005, Toulouse, France, June 2005. Best Paper of Conference.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Diallo, Kevin Dupigny, Bo Sun, Charles Turnitsa: “Web Services based on the C2IEDM – Data Mediation and Data Storage,” In Proceedings, Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2005, San Diego, California, April 2005

Charles Turnitsa, Sai Kovvuri, Andreas Tolk, Liam DeMasi, Verlynda Dobbs, Bill Sudnikovich: “Lessons Learned from C2IEDM Mappings within XBML,” In Proceedings, Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2004, pp. 792-801, Orlando, Florida, September 2004. Best Paper of Conference.

Other Publications
Charles D. Turnitsa, Andrew J. Collins, David Meyr, and Solomon Sherfey: “Financial Implications of Modeling and Simulation Standards: Practical Aspects and Theoretical Analysis,” Modeling and Simulation Journal, Spring 2013, pp. 9-18.

Andreas Tolk, Saikou Diallo, Jose Padilla, Charles Turnitsa: “How is M&S Interoperability Different from Other Interoperability Domains?” Modeling and Simulation Journal, Winter 2012, pp. 5-14.

Affiliations

MEMBERSHIPS:

Association for Computing Machinery, Military Operations Research Society

AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Consortium for the Study and Exploitation of Emergent Phenomena