Dr. Fairley-Mahaffey is a Principal Research Engineer within the Sensor Artificial Intelligence & Learning Program Office (SAILPO) in the Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory (SEAL), at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). She received her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University in Sleep Medicine and Neuroscience in the Department of Neurology as a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Awardee at Emory University.

Her current research focus is the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical modeling, and digital signal processing approaches to develop algorithms that advance airborne radar systems via cognitive radar and electronic battle management modeling and simulation.