Title: Researcher
Company: Portland State University
Location: OR/USA
Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics, Portland State University (2025); Master’s in Applied Mathematics, Portland State University (2022); Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Physics, Pacific University, Salutatorian (2016); Summer Intern, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL (2015); Intern, NASA Glenn Research Center (2014)
Career History: Researcher, Portland State University (2020-Present); Research and Development Specialist, Intel Corporation (2022); Software Engineer, Power Development Solutions, Hillsboro, OR (2016-2022); Software Engineer, Safety Thru Design, Hillsboro, OR (2016-2022); Database Designer, Pro Unlimited, Pacific University (2016); Research Assistant, Pacific University, Forest Grove (2013); Carpenter, SMI (2011-2012)
Dr. Victor W. Rielly, Researcher at Portland State University, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of research.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Dr. Rielly immigrated to the United States, where he excelled academically. He initially pursued an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering at Pacific University, during which time he served as a research assistant at the institution and as an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in 2014 and 2015, respectively. At the end of his studies, however, he shifted gears toward computer science, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics in 2016.
Dr. Rielly subsequently continued his education at Portland State University, attaining a master’s degree in applied mathematics in 2022 and, more recently, a Doctor of Philosophy in the subject in 2025. Since 2020, he’s been active as a full-time researcher at the university, performing calculations and programming, processing data, and both assisting and collaborating with colleagues. Extending his dissertation into postdoctoral work, he’s focused on artificial intelligence and how to train AI systems more effectively, ensure safety, and maintain control so it doesn’t act unpredictably. While his dissertation in pure mathematics wasn’t originally framed in terms of computer science, it was designed to address those kinds of questions.
From 2016 to 2022, Dr. Rielly found success as a software engineer at Safety Thru Design and at Power Development Solutions, and then worked for a year as a research and development specialist at Intel Corporation. In addition, for more than a decade, he’s authored, co-authored, and contributed to numerous articles and research papers for major publications in the field. In recent years, he’s also become a passionate educator, having taught a wide range of students; he currently teaches morning classes to middle school students through the Christian Academy. He’s also long been involved with his local church, serving as a mentor and teacher, and volunteering for mission trips to Mexico.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Rielly—a dedicated member of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics—strives to complete his myriad research projects and continue his work on safe AI usage. He also wants to create a math and science curriculum aimed at lower education and teach in other neighboring Christian academies.