Two Former Marines Secure Funding for Research 'That Improves Lives'

Gilberto Moreno and Eric Santacruz once supported military units on the frontlines of combat. Now they assist Georgia Tech faculty who work at the forefront of research.

As Marines, Moreno and Santacruz cultivated expertise in precision and mission-critical support for on-the-ground forces. That experience helps them streamline the administrative process of the School of Interactive Computing as they secure research grants that improve people’s lives.

The two work as faculty support coordinators in the School of IC. They first met in the Marines in 2019 while assigned to the Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company of the 4th Marine Logistics Group in Smyrna, Ga. 

Moreno is still in the Navy reserves and holds the rank of staff sergeant. Santacruz held the rank of sergeant and was the administration chief when Moreno joined the company. He was discharged in 2022.

The Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company is responsible for the recovery, processing, and preparation of the bodies of fallen service members. The unit, which has detachments domestically and overseas, handles the mortuary affairs, documentation, transportation, and the processing of remains and personal effects.

Moreno and Santacruz were responsible for coordinating travel and deployments, as well as processing legal and medical documents. 

Before Smyrna, they gained administrative experience working in foreign nations and conflict zones.

Moreno joined the Marines out of high school in 2010. After a stint at Marine Corps Air Station in Jacksonville, N.C., he was assigned to the administrative staff of the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He then transferred to Camp Pendleton in California before being assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

Santacruz enlisted in 2014 and was also assigned to the Combat and Logistics Regiment 27. In 2016, he deployed on a six-month tour in Djibouti, where he supported combat operations and civilian evacuation efforts in nearby conflict zones.

In 2021, Moreno decided to join the reserves and pursue a professional career in administration. He immediately received a call back after submitting his application to Georgia Tech.

Since they still lived in Atlanta, Moreno and Santacruz kept in touch with each other. When Moreno heard Santacruz had left the Marines, he called him and encouraged him to apply to Georgia Tech.

“We still keep up with other friends who were stationed with us,” Moreno said. “The brotherhood doesn’t end in the service.”

As faculty support coordinators, they process all the necessary paperwork for grant applications to government organizations that fund research, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF). They also coordinate travel for faculty and students to various conferences and events.

Moreno and Santacruz said they enjoyed working behind the scenes in the Marines knowing everything they did was critical to the success of the units they supported.

They brought that mission-first mindset with them to Georgia Tech.

“The most rewarding thing is being able to see the fruits of our work,” Santacruz said. “When Dean (Vivek) Sikar sends emails congratulating students and faculty, we see those names, and we’re the ones who got that spend authorization for them. You see the stuff you’re working for and you know it’s changing something either at Tech or even globally.”

Moreno said Georgia Tech encourages work-life balance, and the School of Interactive Computing staff supports him when he’s required to fulfill his duties in the reserves. He left the School for seven months on active-duty orders over 2023 and 2024 at the Navy Reserve Center in Marietta.

He said he never had to worry about his job at Tech while he was gone. 

“I love that Georgia Tech gives me the ability to balance both,” he said.

He also said he enjoys taking on challenges that arise during the day.

“We always joke that every day is different here in Interactive Computing,” Moreno said. “There’s always a different challenge, a different scenario.

“There’s more flexibility here. There are a lot of ways to get something done. You can have conversations about different ideas.”