Dr. Ligler is currently the Navy's Senior Scientist for Biosensors and Biomaterials and a member of the Center of Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering at the Naval Research Laboratory. She has pioneered the development of ultra-sensitive antibody-based detection systems for biological agents and other hazardous materials. Her team is well-recognized for the ability to develop a biological sensor from concept to commercial product.

Michael B. Cantor, Ph.D.
President
WayPoint Research, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Michael Cantor is President of WayPoint Research, Inc., an Atlanta company specializing in performance improvement through personnel selection instruments. He trained in experimental psychology, physiology and human factors engineering; did basic research in information processing and, since 1983, has applied behavioral science to performance improvement in the workplace.

He has developed WayPoint, a four-minute, non-verbal test which assesses a person's ability to operate a man/machine system such as driving, pipeline control, piloting aircraft, filling drug prescriptions, law enforcement and baggage handling, among others. For example, baggage screeners are often the first line of defense against terrorist activity targeting airlines. Dr. Cantor believes these baggage screeners need to be evaluated for their aptitude for this important job.

Four studies have validated WayPoint as a pre-employment test for security screeners. One study was done by the U.S. Customs in Tacoma and three others at major airports around the United States and in Europe. The studies showed that the WayPoint test accurately identifies people with the ability to find weapons on an X-ray screen, in a suitcase, etc.
 

Joany Jackman, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
The Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory
Laurel, Maryland

Dr. Jackman joined the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 2000 where she has continued her work in rapid pathogen identification and advises in biocontainment facility design and operations. As Senior Scientist at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Dr. Jackman is developing methods to analyze breath for novel markers of infection. This technology uses proteins and lipids secreted by the host in response to pathogens in the lungs to detect signs of infection prior to the appearance of symptoms. The technique is non-invasive and rapid. Analysis is carried out using mass spectrometry of exhaled breath. Both the pattern of secreted proteins and the chronology of their production is used to evaluate: 1) whether an exposed individual has been infected; 2) to classify the infection as viral or bacterial; and 3) to potentially type infections by agent or class of agent.

This technology will allow rapid triage of individuals at the scene of a potential bioterrorist attack. It will allow emergency medical personnel to focus their resources on the most seriously ill individuals and permit rapid and early treatment. This technology, once fully developed, will reduce the impact of bioterrorism, by improving the outcome and treatment of exposed populations. It has a dual use potential for organizations such as the World Health Organization.
 

William Berger, J.D.
Team Leader, Be 'S.A.F.E.R.' Program
National Self-Defense Institute
Chief of Police, North Miami Beach, Florida

Chief William Berger is the Team Leader of the Be 'S.A.F.E.R.' program (acronym for Strategic Actions For Emergency Response), a unique, proven, community-based training tool that humanizes clinical Disaster/Emergency preparedness information. The packaged one-hour program encourages citizens to focus on terrorism awareness, and gives answers to the question, “What can I do?”

Be 'S.A.F.E.R.' works primarily with local law enforcement agencies to promote community policies for disaster prevention through being vigilant, informed, and communicating with law enforcement; training officers to facilitate classes for citizens based on the needs of the community. Empowering individuals through education and training, the program heightens perceptions with the realization that Past is Prologue, invites family participation and intergenerational dialogue, deals with lessening fear, provides tools to form a Neighborhood Disaster/Emergency Action Group, stimulates volunteerism for various agencies at local levels, and engenders patriotism.
 

Daniel V. Lim, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology
Department of Biology and Center for Biological Defense
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL

Dr. Lim was selected for his work in developing a test capable of identifying the presence of anthrax, ricin and other bioterrorism hazards in food, water and blood. He works closely with companies, Federal and State agencies, the military and other universities on development and implementation of these rapid detection procedures. Dr. Lim is also associated with the USF Center for Biological Defense and is routinely invited to speak on the subjects of biodefense and biothreat agents at national conferences and workshops.
 

Aaron Diaz
Staff Scientist
Nondestructive Characterization and
Measurement Sciences Group
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, Washington

Mr. Diaz’s research has focused on ultrasonic nondestructive examination measurements, imaging and analysis. This work has resulted in the development of the Acoustic Inspection Device, a state-of-the-art technology used by U.S. and international Customs Officers at ports-of-entry, IRS Fuel Compliance Officers and other law enforcement officials for counterterrorism and drug interdiction activities. Mr. Diaz is routinely sought out by his peers and colleagues to consult on the most difficult non-destructive evaluation problems. His expertise has led to significant national and international recognition.
 

Chris Cherry
Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, NM

Mr. Cherry is currently involved in the research and development of specialized explosive systems, explosive entry, shaped charge technology and advanced explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) disablement tools. Mr. Cherry has invented, designed and patented many EOD and Explosive tools, and has designed many advanced initiation and explosive breaching systems. Mr. Cherry provides advanced training for military personnel, as well as local, State and Federal bomb squads, and is the creator of Operation America.
 

Ace Sarich
Vice President
VoxTec, a Division of Marine Acoustics, Inc.
Annapolis, Maryland

Mr. Sarich, as Vice President of VoxTec solely develops and manufactures the Phraselator®, a handheld, voice-actuated translation device being used worldwide by American soldiers and domestically in law enforcement and healthcare settings. The Phraselator is capable of speaking thousands of phrases in nearly 60 languages. It is used to provide instructions, give directions or ask questions with easily conveyed responses. Mr. Sarich travels frequently to the Middle East where he trains soldiers in the field on the use of the Phraselator.
 

Timothy M. Swager, Ph.D.
John D. MacArthur Professor and Department Head
Department of Chemistry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Dr. Swager’s research interests are in design, synthesis, and study of organic-based electronic, sensory, and liquid crystalline materials. His research in electronic polymers has been directed at the demonstration of new conceptual approaches to the construction of sensory materials. In particular, he has developed conjugated polymer sensory transduction schemes that translate molecular recognition events into readily measured signals.

The fundamental tenet of this research is that the cooperative nature of these materials produces enhancements in observable signals relative to monomeric analogs. Dr. Swager has shown this amplification to be general and applicable to any signal, which is dependent upon the transport properties of the system. Materials and methods from the Swager laboratory are the enabling technology for the explosive detectors that have become the flagship products of Nomadics, Inc. These systems have demonstrated unprecedented sensitivities for the detection of the explosive TNT. Related technologies are under development for the detection of chemical weapons, toxic industrial chemicals, and biological molecules.
 

Edward L. Reber, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Through the years, Dr. Edward L. Reber has worked on many different projects including nuclear nonproliferation, basic nuclear research, and spent nuclear fuel characterization, among others. Dr. Reber and his team at the Idaho National Laboratory are currently involved in the research and development of the Idaho Explosives Detection System (IEDS).

The IEDS is an accurate, easy-to-use explosive detection system developed to screen trucks entering a facility, such as a military base, for explosives within five minutes. The system has two pulsed neutron generators, capable of detecting powerful explosives in quantities small enough to fit in a car’s trunk. The system uses detectors to measure gamma rays released from these excitations. The gamma rays are then analyzed to determine whether explosives are present or not.

The first deployable Idaho Explosives Detection System is being constructed and will be installed at a military base within the year.
 

Matthew Hanson, Ph.D.
LSTAT Team
Integrated Medical Systems, Inc.
Signal Hill, California

The government/industry LSTAT Team includes representatives of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and Integrated Medical Systems, Inc. (IMS). Comprised of medical experts in the fields of emergency medicine and critical care, as well as technical experts in the fields of systems integration and information technology, the LSTAT Team has been collaborating for several years on the development and deployment of the Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT) patient care platform.

A portable intensive care unit only 5 inches thick, LSTAT includes a ventilator, defibrillator, infusion pump, suction, physiological monitor and blood chemistry analyzer. In addition, LSTAT collects, stores and can transmit time-synchronized patient data from all the devices continuously. The LSTAT platform allows caregivers to “bring the hospital to the patient” during natural or man-made disasters. Developed initially by and for the military (just like the nation’s civilian ground and air ambulance systems), the LSTAT is increasingly being evaluated for and included in military, government, and civilian plans for homeland security operations.
 

Ronald Eaglin, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Engineering Technology
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida

Dr. Ronald Eaglin has designed and is currently working on Florida Integrated Network for Data Exchange and Retrieval (FINDER), a successful project that links over 120 law enforcement agencies in the State of Florida.

Beginning in 2000, a group of Florida sheriffs and police chiefs started working with the University of Central Florida to develop a low-cost technological solution to defeat career criminals who exploited the lack of information sharing between jurisdictions. By 2003, the Florida Law Enforcement Data Sharing Consortium deployed FINDER as a regional information sharing solution for the I-4 Corridor. Quickly yielding dramatic results, FINDER has grown into a statewide network, and other States are asking to connect with FINDER to establish an effective information sharing network across the Southeast and beyond.

FINDER allows an officer or detective to instantly search hundreds of police databases throughout the State of Florida, and conduct queries on property, motor vehicles, pawn activity, and persons and their known associates. This capability enables law enforcement to locate individuals who may be connected with potential acts of terrorism. To connect the dots that can solve or prevent crimes, you first have to have the dots. FINDER provides the information needed to make this critical connection.
 

Dr. Branson co-led an industry-academic team of researchers from 2001-2004 to develop a prototype of portable cooling vests for first-responders to hazardous materials incidents. More recently, she led the development of QuadGard® an innovative limb armor system weighing 10 pounds, which provides protection for the arms and legs of our armed forces against devastating injuries caused by shrapnel. The design challenge was to accommodate conflicting requirements including--providing ballistic protection for arms, legs and associated joints while maintaining full soldier mobility; and minimizing additional weight and heat stress, in a time-sensitive manner. More than 5,000 units of QuadGard® are now being used in Iraq.