MIDE目前占威尼斯人娱乐城研究支出的20%，截至2024年，已获得超过6000万美元的外部授予赠款和合同。 多年来资金的增加为他们提供了更多的机会来展示他们在电磁场、网络安全和机器人技术方面的专业知识。
对于在威尼斯人娱乐城学习机械工程的学生Kaitie Butler来说，加入MIDE是她毕生对航空航天和国防的热情的自然发展。 巴特勒成长于一个与军队有着密切联系的家庭，她被在一个将服务与她对科学的好奇心结合起来的行业工作的想法所吸引。
“MIDE is the perfect connection between these two worlds,” Butler said. “I am able to invest my skills into furthering national security for our nation and the science and technology field within the global technology base.”
在MIDE，巴特勒不仅找到了一个完美的平台来探索她的激情，也是一个强大的导师谁挑战她。 她第一次见到特拉维斯·菲尔兹博士是在一次研讨会上，他是midi的临时主任。
“He has been a pivotal figure in my journey,” Butler said. “From the moment I joined MIDE, he encouraged me to explore different areas of research. 并不是所有的老板都会挑战和督促你，但这是必须的，尤其是当你像我们一样处理重要的事情时。 But he also is aware and cares about whatever you're going through.”
Fields has influenced numerous students’ research experiences, including Butler's. His leadership goes beyond academic guidance—he challenges students to think critically and prepares them for future careers.
“Students are really the backbone of the research at MIDE,” Fields said. “I'm not the one in the lab anymore. 学生们获得了他们在其他地方无法获得的经验。 他们构成了MIDE员工总数的一半以上。 We cannot do this without them.”
Fields’ ability to create a supportive environment for students has led Butler to embrace multiple disciplines within the aerospace industry. 她的研究范围从工程任务，如自动驾驶汽车的布线，到更多的动手任务，包括飞行测试和系统设计。 在MIDE工作中，她最喜欢的部分是飞行测试，在那里她可以直接看到她的设计通过在需要快速思考和适应能力的现实场景中进行测试而变成现实。
“Flight testing includes training internal MIDE members as well as going out in the field and getting our vehicle to fly in certain formations,” Butler said.
她也喜欢和她一起工作的人。
“I love working for MIDE,” Butler said. “I've worked at a couple of different places, but within MIDE, we have a great culture. 我们总是互相鼓励。 We're always challenging one another.”
巴特勒相信她在MIDE的经历和人脉将改变她未来的职业生涯。
“Since we're able to go out and present our research at all these different conferences, I’m able to connect with a lot of different folks in the industry, not just aerospace defense,” she said.
由于她在MIDE的经历，巴特勒已经产生了影响。
“I got an internship through X-Force National Security Innovation Network,” she said. “We actually designed a reconfigurable drone, in collaboration with NSWC Crane, and it was published in an article. I wouldn't have had that experience if it weren't for my position at MIDE and the people who got me here.”
MIDE’s focus on applied research that ensures the work produced not only advances academically, but also delivers real-world solutions is something that also excites Fields.
“My favorite part of working in MIDE is seeing the impact, seeing that we are delivering real things,” Fields said. “We are trying to solve real problems, and we have students who are getting to see the real problems and real threat briefs now going out and having a real impact at these major organizations across the country in defense labs and with major contractors.”
MIDE的员工和学生通过培训真正的操作员如何使用先进的系统来展示他们的专业知识。 一些空军操作员甚至千里迢迢来到堪萨斯城，只是为了接受MIDE员工和学生的培训，学习如何使用大型无人驾驶飞机。
The impact of MIDE’s work is evident in the high demand for its graduates. 来自全国各地的公司都在参加威尼斯人娱乐城的招聘会，招聘MIDE的学生，认识到他们独特的技能和对现实世界挑战的准备。
通过提供动手研究机会和培养专业关系，MIDE正在塑造下一代国防和技术领导者，为更安全，更创新的未来做出贡献。