OSA NEWS

January 18, 2005

Homeland Security's Science and Technology Issues Call For Papers

Washington , DC - The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has issued a Call for Technical Papers, requesting the scientific and technical community submit paper abstracts for presentation at the Directorate's Research and Development (R&D) partnering conference. The event, “ Working Together: R&D Partnerships in Homeland Security,” will be held April 27 th and 28 th of 2005, at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston, MA.

Technical paper topics will focus on state-of-the-art research and development to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from high-consequence chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosives and cyber terrorist threats.  The conference will also address R&D to protect the nation's critical infrastructure, and the harnessing of science and intelligence to reduce threat and risk. To learn more about technical paper topics, submission requirements and deadlines, visit www.homelandsecurityresearchconference.org.

Abstracts submitted are considered in the public domain; the Department is not restricted by limitations against use, duplication or disclosure that may accompany abstracts submitted. This conference encourages partnering among scientists and engineers from government, national laboratories, universities and research institutes, and private sector firms investing in R&D, to address the collective science and technology research goals of the U.S. homeland security community. This conference will bring together more than 600 attendees supporting homeland security research and development, for information exchange and subsequent collaboration.  

Conference attendees will learn about DHS's awareness, countermeasures, response and recovery goals; address pressing technical challenges; identify the most critical knowledge gaps; be introduced to the core capabilities of national and DHS laboratories and the Department's university-based homeland security centers; and foster collaborative R&D partnerships to help DHS and the broader homeland security community make the nation safer.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate serves as the primary research and development arm of the Department, utilizing our nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland. 

About OSA

The Optical Society of America (OSA) brings together an international network of the industry's preeminent optics and photonics scientists, engineers, educators, technicians and business leaders. Representing more than 15,000 members from approximately 100 different countries, OSA promotes the worldwide generation, application and dissemination of optics and photonics knowledge through its meetings, events and journals. Since its founding in 1916, OSA member benefits, programming, publications, products and services have set the industry's standard of excellence. Additional information on OSA is available on the Society's Web site at www.osa.org.