Technologically Speaking

This episode discusses sensitive topics including violence against children. Listener discretion is strongly advised. This is the first episode in a two-part series on how S&T is working to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Host John Verrico is joined by Patricia (Patty) Wolfhope, subject matter expert in digital forensic systems, for an eye-opening discussion of the scope of this insidious threat and why developing tools to enhance law enforcement effectiveness is a top priority for the Department. Though some of the descriptions of what takes place on the dark web are very dark indeed, audiences will also leave this episode more aware of how to recognize signs of online exploitation and sextortion. The second part of this two-part series features Patty’s colleague, Shane Cullen, who will delve deeper into additional aspects of S&T’s digital forensics portfolio.

Technologically Speaking sits down with Dr. Ann Cox, technical lead and subject matter expert in Cybersecurity and Quantum Information Science (QIS) at S&T. QIS, a disruptive phenomenon, is going to be like cell phones or the internet, according to Dr. Cox. She speaks with host Deepak Saini about the many ways that QIS is already affecting our world, and how S&T is preparing for the opportunities and challenges that QIS will bring in the future. From solving problems like limitations in MRIs, to changing the way governments secure their data—QIS will change the world 

Hosts John Verrico and Deepak Saini sit down with S&T’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Sam Howerton, to pick his brain about all things science. Listen as Sam takes our hosts on a journey through a world of imagination and exploration as he shares his unique perspective. Sam discusses the ways scientists can help solve homeland security challenges, S&T’s role in the future, taking risks as an organization, and more. He also talks about what motivated him to pursue his career path and gives us a chemist’s explanation for why Nashville hot chicken is so good! This episode will change the way you think about science. You don’t want to miss it!

In this Tech Speak mini episode, Dr. Sarah Bereznicki from S&T’s Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) discusses how the lab worked to secure both indoor and outdoor events during the week leading up to Super Bowl LVII. Listen as Dr. Bereznicki explains how her team used a predictive modeling tool to secure the event, walks through how the tool was developed, and discusses her team’s future plans. Dr. Bereznicki also runs through CSAC’s playbook and addresses a common assumption. 

This week on Tech Speak, hear from five remarkable women in science at S&T, each with their own unique perspective and a shared passion for homeland security. The women share advice, their career paths, and anecdotes about their experience in making our nation safer. Their expertise spans food defense, resources for bomb squads, combatting child exploitation, the future of quantum, and preparing for a radiological or nuclear event. We are proud to have Jessica Cox, Ann Cox, Byung Hee Kim, Patty Wolfhope, and Orly Amir on our team and honored to highlight them for Women’s History Month!

This week on Tech Speak, we sit down with S&T program manager Norman Speicher to discuss the urgent need for interoperability standards in response to the increasing effects of climate change—think floods or wildfires. Much of the response and recovery information that is gathered by flood sensors, wildfire sensors, and local agencies exists in unique and proprietary formats. Interoperability standards would allow these large amounts of data (that are already being collected) to be combined and shared, creating a clearer picture to prevent, plan for, and respond to emergencies. Tune in to hear Norman talk us through what happens when data can’t be shared, as well as S&T’s collaboration with the Open Geospatial Consortium, which helps ensure that it can be in the future.

This mini episode takes us to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as S&T and its National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) field test a promising new gunshot detection system with law enforcement. Direct responder feedback is critical to S&T’s research and development process, ensuring that the final technology is something that not only meets their operational needs but ultimately keeps our communities and citizens safe. Hear S&T’s Anthony Caracciolo, NUSTL’s Brenda Velasco-Lopez, Chief Deputy Nicholas Lennie of the Story County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Department, and Wilhelm Thomas and Rick Carroll of the New York City Police Department’s Counterterrorism Division talk about how this system differs from existing gunshot detection technologies, and how it will help to shave minutes off response time.

This Tech Speak mini episode takes you inside the recent National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) Urban Operational Experimentation (OpEx) event held in New York City in July 2022. Hear from NUSTL Director Alice Hong and Test Lead Bhargav Patel about why S&T hosts the event and why it is so critical to engage industry in first responder R&D. You’ll also hear from two responders directly: Chief Kevin McNamara of the New York City Fire Department shares how drones help him and his fellow firefighters tackle challenges they face in the field, and Officer Jason Rubenstein of the New York City Police Department discusses the importance of hands-on vetting of new technologies.

This Tech Speak mini episode brings you to the Maryland State Police Training Academy for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the “Advanced Open/Obstructed Test Proctor Course for Evaluating Drone Capabilities and Remote Pilot Proficiency.” This training is based on standardized test methods developed by S&T and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The course consists of inexpensive materials, such as plastic buckets arranged in an easily replicable setup, enabling the consistent certification of drone pilots across various response agencies. Listen now to hear S&T Program Manager Kai-Dee Chu along with colleagues from NIST, U.S. Secret Service, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, and Maryland State Police discuss measurement science, testing best practices, and how ingenious courses like this one help make us all safer.

On this episode of Tech Speak, join S&T in Harbison State Forest, South Carolina, as we test a newly designed respirator tailored to help wildland firefighters breathe easier. These firefighters must travel light and work long days in remote conditions with little to no respiratory protection. They not only battle smoke, dust and flames, but also the hazardous respiratory risks that can come with it. Tune in to hear program manager Kimberli Jones-Holt explain how responder feedback helped shape the latest prototype of the Wildland Firefighter Respirator. And hear insights from test director Hasan Shahid from the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory as he walks through the test and evaluation exercise of this tech that will make a difference on the fire line.

This Tech Speak mini episode offers a front row seat to a tech demonstration of counter-improvised explosive device (IED) technologies. Travel to the Charlie Demolition Range at Marine Corps Base Quantico and follow along as S&T’s Research and Prototyping for IED Defeat (RAPID) program has a blast partnering up with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). RAPID Program Manager Bill Stout was there along with FBI Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Ian Vabnick and numerous bomb squad technicians to see national security research and development in action. Listen now to discover what makes this program unique and why it’s so important.

This Tech Speak mini episode gives you a unique inside perspective on our 2022 Biometrics Tech Rally. Listen as Arun Vemury, program manager in the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Biometrics and Identity Technology Center, explains what a ‘Tech Rally’ is, the challenges being addressed by the Rally, and the focus of this year’s event. Arun also gives a demonstration of the facial recognition technology being tested at the event and walks you through how it works.

This Tech Speak mini episode lets you know exactly what the First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) is with a refresher from Paul McDonagh, former Seattle Assistant Police Chief and current S&T First Responder Portfolio Manager. You’ll discover why it’s so important to S&T innovation priorities and how it influences the research and development process. You’ll also hear directly from current FRRG members Steve Vandewalle, a helicopter rescue medic with the San Diego Fire Department; Jay Hagen, Chief of the Bellevue, Washington, Fire Department; and Rodney Reed of the Harris County, Texas, Fire Marshal's Office as they share their personal perspectives and highlight the recently released Project Responder 6 Report. 

In this very special bonus episode, hosts John Verrico and Deepak Saini are joined by S&T’s new Under Secretary, Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov. He has previously served at the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration and is eager to now put his leadership and scientific background to use guiding S&T into its 20th year and beyond. Dimitri, as he prefers his colleagues call him, discusses everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning to quantum computing and 5G. He also touches upon why it’s so important that science has a seat at the table when it comes to making policy decisions. Listen until the end to catch him letting his nerd flag fly during a series of rapid fire questions.

Host John Verrico is joined by Richard “Rik” Legault, PhD, who serves as Senior Advisor for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences for S&T’s Social Sciences Technology Center (SS-TC). Discover all that SS-TC does to support programs and inform policies across S&T by conducting assessments, analyzing risk, evaluating success, and more. Rik helps recontextualize the Department of Homeland Security mission in terms of how it relates to people, in addition to tech (you could say we’re Humanly Speaking in this episode), by using various relatable real-life examples. His unique perspective will change the way you think about national security and foster a greater appreciation for just how multifaceted S&T is.