He received a Ph.D. in optics from University of Central Florida in 2007. He has received the HKN Outstanding Electrical Engineering Professor of the Year Award and the Michigan Tech Graduate Faculty Mentor Award in 2010/2011. He has received research funding from various entities including industry, DoD, and the state of Michigan. Previously he was employed by the Night Vision Electro-Optics Department at NSWC Crane working with thermal Imaging systems and Laser designators. Dr. Middlebrook is a Member of the SPIE and OSA and serves as advisor to the Mich. Tech. SPIE chapter