Dr. Robert Steven Gross earned his B.S. from Virginia Tech and his M.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics from Clemson University. Dr. Gross began his professional career at NSWC-White Oak in 1977. He worked on Navy underwater weapon systems. After several years, he left NSWC and worked as a Research Engineer at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. During his time at Goodyear, he worked in the area of structural design of tires and industrial belting. In 1984, he decided to obtain a Ph.D degree and returned to Clemson University. Dr. Gross completed his Ph.D degree in 1988 and started as an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department in that same year.