Robert E. Baier
Professor
Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces
University at Buffalo
110 Parker Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3560
Professor
Oral Diagnostic Sciences
University at Buffalo
110 Parker Hall
Buffalo, NY 14215
webpage: http://wings.buffalo.edu/faculty/research/iucb
Research Interests:
Air quality; Public health; Bioaerosols; Nosocomial infection control; Biohazards; Photocatalysis
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Maintenance or rapid restoration of healthful indoor air quality is critical to the continuing welfare and performance of building occupants and infrastructure, especially when challenged by hazardous excursions of outdoor air quality that may be associated with combustion-spawned or deliberate threat pollutants. New York Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) has equipped Buffalo’s Center for Biosurfaces and Environmental Quality System Center partners across NY State to reliably monitor and detect respirable particulate and other air quality indicators associated with emissions from sources as diverse as diesel-operated vehicles and dental clinic operations. Practical means to combat and control risk factors in both public health and hospitality industry settings are being introduced and independently assessed by cooperative industry/university research teams. Air quality control mechanisms based on photocatalytic disinfection via UV-A-illuminated titanium dioxide particles show promising test results in pilot-scale studies utilizing a unique 600 m3 atmospheric test chamber.
George A. Barnett
Professor
Communication
University at Buffalo
359 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2141 ext 1179
webpage: http://www.informatics.buffalo.edu/faculty/barnett/
Research Interests:
Communication & social change; Social & communication networks; International telecommunications; Communication campaigns; Risk communication
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Barnett is a recognized expert on the development, implementation and monitoring of communication campaigns that may be applied to political, health or marketing situations. Recently, he has been involved with the development of a campaign to warn teenagers about the risk to their hearing associated with listening to loud music, films and video games. The figure displays the concepts in the optimal message to reposition “protecting your hearing” closer to the self-concept. If the message were implemented, it would result in approximately a 90% improvement in the position of the “protecting your hearing”, a more positive attitude and more frequent behaviors avoiding the risky behavior.
Rajan Batta
Professor
Industrial and Systems Engineering
University at Buffalo
410 Bell Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2357 ext 2110
webpage: http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~batta/
Research Interests:
Airport Security System Design; Security Risk Modeling for Trucks Transporting Hazardous Materials; Management of Casualty Queues in a Disaster Setting; Management of Critical Resources in a Disaster Setting
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
A current project related to extreme events relates to modeling of security risk for a truck carrying hazardous materials. Network security is examined by evaluating and limiting the available links to HazMat routing based on risk measurements described and by devising routes that seek to mitigate any consequence and dissuade attacks. Given a road network, the Hazardous-Network Design Problem (HDP) selects links that should be closed to HazMat transportation in order to minimize total risk. The formulation of the HDP is bi-level, containing an outer and inner problem that mimics the interaction between policy makers and HazMat carriers.
J. Gayle Beck
Professor
Psychology
University at Buffalo
Park Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-3650 ext 230
Research Interests:
PTSD; Resilience following trauma exposure; Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
My current work has two foci: individuals who have experienced a serious motor vehicle accident and individuals who have survived domestic violence. With each of these clinical samples, my work focuses on the psychopathology of PTSD and its treatment, in particular the efficacy and effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Ling Bian
Associate Professor
Geography
University at Buffalo
105 Wilkeson Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2722
webpage: http://www.geog/buffalo.edu/~lbian
Research Interests:
Individual-based spatially explicit epidemiological modeling; Interoperable environmental models; Geographic image retreival
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The spread of communicable diseases, such as SARS, anthrax, and Ebola, through a population is an intrinsic spatial and temporal process. This project uses an individual-based and spatially explicit framework for modeling the dispersion of communicable diseases in communities. This framework allows the representation of discrete individuals, individualized interactions, and interaction patterns in a network of human contact. The explicit representation of the spatial location and mobility of individuals in particular facilitates the modeling of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the disease transmission. This approach helps identify those communities that are vulnerable to the spread of some of the most dangerous communicable diseases in potential events of bio-terror threats. The figure below illustrates differences in spatial dispersion of diseases based on demographic, socio-economic, and employment structures of communities.
Frank V. Bright
UB Distinguished Professor, A. Conger Goodyear Chair
Chemistry
University at Buffalo
511 Natural Sciences Complex
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-68xx ext 2161
webpage: http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/bright.php
Research Interests:
Chemical sensors; Environmentally benign chemistry; Biomaterials for wound repair
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Bright’s research focuses on: (i) the development of robust solid-state chemical sensors for the detection and quantification of volatile gases, drugs, steroids and prostaglandins, and proteins in complex milieu; (ii) understanding solvation and chemical reactivity in supercritical fluids and ionic liquids; and (iii) the development of biodegradable constructs for controlled delivery of protein-based drugs for wound repair. The graphic illustrates the interior of a molecularly tailored xerogel-based nanopore that is used for chemical sensing applications.
Michel Bruneau
Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
130 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2114 ext 2403
Director
MCEER
University at Buffalo
105 Red Jacket Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-3391 ext 104
webpage: http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/~bruneau
Research Interests:
Structural engineering; Earthquake-resistant design; Blast engineering; Multi-hazard design; Dynamic response of structures; Seismic evaluation and retrofit of bridges and buildings; Ultimate behavior of steel, metal, and advanced composite structures
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Bruneau has conducted extensive research on the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing bridges and buildings subjected to large destructive forces up to collapse. This research has encompassed the development and large-scale experimental validation of various metallic energy-dissipating design concepts to enhance the resilience of structures against extreme events. This work has contributed to the adoption of special design requirements for ductile steel walls, ductile bridge diaphragms, tubular eccentrically braced frames, structural fuses, and controlled-rocking piers. Recent focus has been on the development of multi-hazard resistant design concepts capable of simultaneously providing an adequate level of protection against collapse under both seismic and blast loading. Dr. Bruneau has conducted numerous reconnaissance visits to disaster stricken areas, and is a member of many professional and technical code-writing committees.
Blast test of multi-hazard resistant bridge pier (tested specimen is engulfed into fire-ball from explosion)
Irene Casas
Assistant Professor
Geography
University at Buffalo
105 Wilkeson Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2722 ext 62
webpage: http://www.buffalo.edu/~icasas
Research Interests:
Travel behavior; Routing; Sustainability; Transport modeling: GIS: Artificial intelligence
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Using hazmat trucks or vehicles carrying lethal chemicals are commonly being used as weapons in other countries (i.e. Iraq). Even though it has not happened in the US yet the possibility exists. This project looks at different alternatives to minimize the risk of hazmat vehicles being attacked and used in such a way. They include but are not limited to the analysis of multiple paths and the use of sensors.
Deborah D.L. Chung
National Grid Endowed Chair Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
608 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2243
webpage: http://alum.mit.edu/www/ddlchung
Research Interests:
Smart materials & structures; Multifunctional structural materials; Strain, stress and damage sensing; Structural health monitoring; Structural vibration control; Electromagnetic interference shielding; Traffic & evacuation monitoring; Energy generation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Recent research relates to the use of multifunctional cement-based materials developed by Professor Chung to sense strain, stress and damage and to generate electricity. Stress sensing is relevant to evacuation monitoring in relation to buildings and highways. Damage sensing is relevant to damage assessment and hazard mitigation. Electricity generation by cement-based materials allows individual structures to generate their own energy, thereby alleviating the problem of power outage. The multifunctional cement-based materials technologies are available for licensing and field testing.
Sam Cole
Professor
Urban and Regional Planning
University at Buffalo
203 Hayes Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2133 ext 203
webpage: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/~samcole/
Research Interests:
Global futures studies; Regional economic development; Tourism; Island planning
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Trained in the UK as a theoretical physicist, Sam has worked in community, regional and international planning and development since 1970. Projects with MCEER are reported in Social Accounting for Disaster Management and Recovery Planning (NCEER-93-0002, also published in Kunreuther and Rose, The Economics of Natural Hazards, Vo1, 2004) and Regional and Inter-regional Calamity Preparedness and Decision Support (in Engineering and Socioeconomic Impacts of Earthquakes, Shinozuka et al., MCEER, 1998). He has contributed to seminars on Disaster Preparedness in the Europe, China, Latin America, West Africa, the US and China. In 2005, he was awarded an MCEER/NSF US-China collaboration grant. His current work involves the integration of portfolio and risk management theories into models of chaos and complexity to understand the dynamic relationships between hazards, events, protection, disruptions, and disasters in socio-economic systems (summarized in Journal of Security Education, 2006).
Terry D. Connell
Associate Professor
Microbiology and Immunology
University at Buffalo
147 Biomedical Research Bldg
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3364
webpage: http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/wcmpi/Faculty/connell.html
Research Interests:
Gram-negative bacteria; Bordetella; Enteric bacteria; Vibrio cholerae; Gene regulation; Adjuvants; Mucosal immunology; Vaccines
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Research in the Connell lab is focused in two areas: (1) microbial pathogenesis and (2) mucosal immunology. In the field of microbial pathogenesis, we are employing recombinant biology, physiology, and biochemistry to evaluate the methods by which Bordetella pertussis and B. bronchiseptica, respiratory pathogens of humans and other animals, acquire nutrient iron and heme from the fluids, cells, and tissues of the host during infection. We have identified several iron uptake systems. Expression of these systems is tightly controlled by three-component regulatory systems that respond to extracellular sources of iron. We have also investigated protein secretion in the enteric pathogen Vibrio cholerae. Our immunological research focuses upon evaluating the molecular, cellular, and organismal mechanisms by which two novel bacterial enterotoxins potentiate mucosal and systemic immune responses to foreign antigens. These later studies to investigate the adjuvant activities of those enterotoxins have direct implications in vaccine development.
Michael C. Constantinou
Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
212 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2114 ext 2404
webpage: http://www.civil.buffalo.edu/professors_constantinou.shtml
Research Interests:
Structural dynamics; Dynamic testing and performance-based engineering with particular emphasis in the development and use of new technologies
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Constantinou is credited with major contributions in the development and implementation of seismic isolation systems, viscous energy dissipation systems (dampers) and the toggle-brace and scissor-jack systems (60 citations in newspapers and magazines) in various types of civil infrastructures. This picture illustrates a gas platform currently under construction in an environment characterized by strong earthquake, extremely low temperature, strong wind and ice impact loadings. Dr. Constantinou developed procedures for the analysis, design, scaling and testing of seismic isolation bearings for two such platforms that can sustain extreme loadings in a multi-hazard environment.
John L. Crassidis
Professor and Associate Director, Center for Multisource Information Fusion
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
1007 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2262
webpage: http://www.buffalo.edu/~johnc
Research Interests:
Data/Information fusion; Optimal nonlinear estimation, Robust vehicle tracking and navigation; Situational awareness
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Crassidis’s research involves the development of generalized multiple-model adaptive estimation (GMMAE) strategies that are used to provide significant convergence rate improvements of system model parameter and state identification, as well as enhanced probabilistic assignments of outcomes. Specific extreme event applications involve the use of GMMAE to provide risk assessment tools for situational refinement using both sensor and contextual data inputs. As Associate Director of the Center for Multisource Information Fusion (CMIF), Dr. Crassidis is responsible for level-1 fusion applications, which involve observation-to-track association, continuous state estimation (e.g. kinematics) and discrete state estimation (e.g. target type and ID) and prediction. Currently, a consortium between the University at Buffalo through CMIF, Texas A&M University and Virginia Tech is being conceived with the ultimate goal of mitigating disaster response coordination through the use of robotic sensors and uninhabited air vehicles in conjunction with state-of-the-art data fusion techniques.
Murat Demirbas
Assistant Professor
Computer Science and Engineering
University at Buffalo
201 Bell Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-3180 ext 139
webpage: http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~demirbas/
Research Interests:
Wireless sensor networks; Wireless ad hoc communication and networking; Distributed algorithms for tracking, localization, and in-network on-the-fly querying
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Demirbas works in the area of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a successful realization of the ubiquitous/pervasive computing paradigm. A significant application of WSNs is in the area of environmental and structural monitoring and the related problems of classifying, localizing, and tracking of events of interest. Dr. Demirbas’s research focuses on developing distributed, robust, and resilient tracking, in-network querying, and communication services for WSNs.
Paul E. DesJardin
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
336 Jarvis Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2314
webpage: http://www.mae.buffalo.edu/people/faculty/desjardin/
Research Interests:
Fire science and safety engineering; Computational fluid dynamics with an emphasis on the radiation heat transfer from large scale plumes and fluid-structure coupled response
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. DesJardin conducts research and teaches classes in the area of fire simulation science. His primary areas of interest are fire plume dynamics, radiation heat transfer and flame spread modeling. As part of these efforts, he has developed a suite of simulation tools for examining the coupled fluid-structure response of composite materials to fire environments. The figure shows a representative result from a fire plume study to examine the role of near-field turbulent flow dynamics on the radiation heat transfer from large reacting plumes.
Steven L Dubovsky
Professor and Chair
Psychiatry
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider St
Buffalo, NY 14215
716-898-5940
Research Interests:
Psychopharmacology; Anxiety and mood disorders; Disaster response
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Dubovsky has participated in the development of new medications and the pharmacologic treatment of responses to extreme events. He is currently co-director of a multi-center randomized controlled trial of the treatment of refractory post traumatic stress disorder. He is also investigating factors that interfere with efficacy of first responders and he is developing a center for traumatic response with the Department of Psychology. He is on the founding board of directors of Protect NY.
Catherine N. Dulmus
Associate Dean for Research and Director, Buffalo Center for Social Research
Social Work
University at Buffalo
221 Parker Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3991 ext. 139
webpage: http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/research/
Research Interests:
Child mental health; Trauma; Prevention; Violence
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Dulmus’ research focuses on violence and its psychological impact on children. She is particularly interested in violence prevention and the development of preventive interventions. Her most recent research has been related to school violence, in particular examining the role of bullying in school violence. Dr. Dulmus is the director of the Buffalo Center for Social Research and Co-PI on a recently funded grant for the development and establishment of the Center for the Study and Prevention of School Violence in collaboration with Buffalo City Schools.
Ronald T. Eguchi
Research Associate Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260
President, ImageCat, Inc.
Union Bank of Calilfornia Building
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-628-1675
webpage: http://www.imagecatinc.com
Research Interests:
Earthquake engineering; Lifeline engineering; Loss estimation, including quantification of direct and indirect losses; Risk analysis as applied to natural and manmade hazards; Remote sensing and disaster response and recovery
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Ronald T. Eguchi’s research over the past 30 years has emphasized the development and use of advanced technologies for disaster mitigation, response and recovery. Recently, he has pioneered the use of remote sensing technologies for disaster reconnaissance, damage detection and building inventory development. The figure below shows a three-tiered approach for using remote sensing technologies to detect earthquake damage at different scales, i.e., regional, neighborhood and per-building. This approach has been applied in assessing damage from earthquakes, hurricanes (both wind and storm surge), tsunamis, flooding and terrorist attacks. This work has also won several technical awards in GIS trade journals and was showcased by NSF in its special report on “Understanding Disasters.”
Isaac Ehrlich
SUNY/UB Distinguished Professor & Chair, Melvin H. Baker Professor of American Enterprise
Economics
University at Buffalo
415 Fronczak Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2121 ext 422
webpage: http://www.economics.buffalo.edu/ehrlich.htm
Research Interests:
Human capital and income distribution; Economic growth and development; Economics of health and value of life savings; Social security and population aging; Economics of information and uncertainty; Economics of crime and justice; Law and economics
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The general objective of our project "Econometric Modeling of WNY" is to use state of the art statistical and economic methods to model the behavior of the Western and Upstate New York economies and use it for both simulation analyses and forecasting. The relevance of the project for extreme events comes about mainly from the flexibility of the comprehensive and detailed model we are working on. Specifically, extreme events of various types, scope and severity could be introduced into our model via jump or regime-shifting stochastic processes. By including such rare events, the model could not only generate and forecast changes in key
economic variables defining the economy at a point in time and over time, but also allow researchers and policy makers to compute risk management measures such as Value at Risk, which evaluate changes in variables of special interest at the time of emergency.
Andre Filiatrault
Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
212 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2114 ext 2434
Director
Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory
University at Buffalo
Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
webpage: http://www.civil.buffalo.edu/professors_filiatrault.shtml
Research Interests:
Structural dynamics; Earthquake engineering; Seismic performance of structures with passive supplemental damping systems, nonstructural components & equipment; Seismic testing of large-scale structural components & systems; Design of wood structures
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
André Filiatrault’s research over the past eighteen years has been centered on the seismic testing, analysis and design of civil engineering structures. Professor Filiatrault conducted several numerical and experimental investigations on the seismic response of large-scale structural and nonstructural components and systems. In 2003, he led the first shake table test in the US of a full-scale 500 kV electrical transformer tank-bushing assembly. In 2006, he led the seismic testing of the largest wood building ever tested on a shake table worldwide. Recent accomplishments also include: the development of seismic design guidelines for pallet-type steel storage racks, the seismic testing of wood buildings incorporating passive damping systems, the development of computer software for the seismic analysis of wood buildings, and the seismic fragility testing of HVAC equipment mounted on vibration isolation/restraint systems.
Kathryn A. Foster
Director
UB Regional Institute
University at Buffalo
Beck Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3777
webpage: http://regional-institute.buffalo.edu/staff.cfm
Research Interests:
Regional resilience; Governance; Regional structure, leadership and decision-making for slow-moving crises
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
My research focuses on governance and decision-making. Of particular relevance to extreme events is a current research project sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, "Building Resilient Regions," which examines the conditions (actors, institutions, policies, cultural practices) that influence regional resilience, defined as the capacity for short-term decisions that lead to long-term success. While the project considers unexpected natural and man-made crises, of special interest are regional responses to "slow burn" challenges, such as prolonged economic decline or the suburbanization of poverty. Depending on their starting places, regions may stagnate, thrive, falter or transform themselves in the face of such challenges.
Mark G. Frank
Associate Professor and Director, Communication Science Center
Communication
University at Buffalo
Fargo Quad Suite 101
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-6401
Research Interests:
Deception; Detecting Deception; Facial Expressions; Emotions; Interpersonal Interaction
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
A terrorist act is a profoundly human act, and my research examines people’s behaviors in security settings, including counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, law enforcement and the legal system. Our work looks at what clues are associated with deception and malfeasant intentions, as well as how good are people at spotting such clues, whether we can train people to spot them better, what sort of interpersonal styles optimize intelligence gathering in interviews, and whether we can create automated systems that might facilitate the identification of individuals who intend to commit an extreme event, or catching the perpetrators of such an act.
James F. Garvey
Professor
Chemistry
University at Buffalo
460 Natural Sciences Complex
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-6800 ext 2106
webpage: http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/garvey.php
Research Interests:
Sterilizing air; Compressive heating; Purifying large gas flows; Killing anthrax; SARS; MARS; Legionnaire’s disease; Avian flu; TB; Airborne pathogens
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The BioBlower device was created to rapidly and continuously cycle large quantities of air (or aerosolized liquid), while simultaneously sterilizing the entire flow of air, as it passes through the apparatus. The BioBlower is designed to continuously destroy ALL biological pathogens within the air flow, including all bacteria, spores, viruses, pollen and molds that are harmful to humans. It accomplishes this complete air purification without the use of filters, without the use of UV/X-ray light and without the use of any toxic fumigant! The BioBlower accomplishes this complete bio-kill through the completely novel approach of compressive heating of the air stream as it is quickly cycled through a standard electrically powered rotary pump. This prompt, uniform heating instantly kills any and all bio-matter (i.e., anthrax spores, smallpox, SARS, influenza, tuberculosis, E. Coli, mold, fungi, allergens, etc…) in the air flow, ‘blowing’ breathable, disinfected air back into the building/room/tent. A key advantage to this technology is that the process is inherently scaleable. The BioBlower can be small enough to act as a portable unit for tent inflation, or to create an isolation ward on demand. In contrast, the BioBlower can be manufactured as large as to be permanently installed within a building, to handle the entire air flow of the structure. The BioBlower can be employed in many applications, but not limited to: military use against bioterror attacks on buildings, portable shelters or vehicles, hospital quarantine rooms, reverse isolation rooms, biological clean rooms, and for both government and commercial office buildings. Our initial target market is the military which, in the Collective Protection area alone is estimated at several billion dollars in size. We are targeting in parallel the hospital quarantine and reverse isolation rooms. We will expand into related markets and segments such as commercial buildings as success is achieved in the military/government market and as the company grows.
Tracy K.P. Gregg
Associate Professor
Geology
University at Buffalo
876 Natural Sciences Complex
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-6800 ext 2463
webpage: http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~tgregg/
Research Interests:
Lava flow eruption and emplacement dynamics in different environments (on land, under water, on Mars, Io and Venus)
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Lava flows, and their associated destruction of property, are indeed extreme events. Dr. Gregg is working on determining what controls how a lava flow will move, and where it will go; she used a combination of field work, petrologic studies, laboratory simulations and numerical modeling to constrain lava flow dynamics. Recent work has focused on volcanic eruptions on Io, and how they are similar to and different from volcanic behavior on Earth. The image shows an eruption within Tvashtar Patera on Io. The dark feature is a lava flow, and the heat from the lava is vaporizing the underlying ground, causing white jets of gas to shoot out from the flow margins. The image, collected by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft, is ~120 km across.
Philip Hancock
Visiting Assistant Professor
Management
University at Buffalo
333 Jacobs Management Center
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-3271
Research Interests:
Operations management; Emergency response management; Social network analysis; Statistical modelling; Table-top simulation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
A large-scale emergency response relies on a single decision-maker, the incident commander to spontaneously allocate resources that change continuously in both availability and status responding to dynamic incidents. The figure below represents a social network of directed radio communications during a recent table-top simulation. Line weight represents volume of communication.
John Hay
Professor and Chair
Microbiology and Immunology
University at Buffalo
138 Farber Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2907
Research Interests:
Viruses; Human infectious disease; Animal infectious disease; Pathogenesis; Epidemiology; Epizootiology; Genetics
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
I currently have funded projects from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Biotechnology Extension Program (DHHS) to explore the extent of disease and identification of agents involved in highly fatal human viral diseases in several parts of the world. The agents include hantaviruses, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus and several fevers of unknown origin. The case-fatality ratio of the diseases in as high as 80% in some cases, and there is no vaccine or other treatment available. Many are transmitted to humans by biting insects (e.g. ticks or mosquitoes) which makes control and avoidance of contact difficult. We are using real-time PCR approaches to investigate the genomes of these agents, with a view to developing vaccines or novel antiviral treatments. We are also using GIS technology to map the viruses, their reservoir hosts and their vectors. This work is being pursued in central Asia and Siberia.
Daniel B. Hess
Assistant Professor
Urban and Regional Planning
University at Buffalo
116 Hayes Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829.2133 ext 202
webpage: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/planning/people/hess.asp
Research Interests:
Emergency planning and preparedness; Evacuation; Transportation planning; Public transit
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Hess spent eight days in the New Orleans area with a team of MCEER researchers shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck. His research there focused on investigating hospital disaster preparedness and response and finding ways to strengthen the resilience of on medical infrastructure during extreme events (http://mceer.buffalo.edu/publications/Katrina/06-SP01web.pdf.). His other projects have focused on emergency planning for and security assessment of surface transportation in cities and regions, especially public transit systems. A current research project focuses on the ability of Upstate New York cities and regions to perform a complete evacuation during an extreme event.
Dietrich Jehle
Director of Emergency Services
Emergency Medicine
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, NY 14215
716-898-4430
Research Interests:
Emergency Medicine; Bedside Sonography; Transportation Injury; Resuscitation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dietrich Jehle has been principal investigator on several federally funded studies of traffic safety, investigating accident and fatality rates as they correspond to speed variance and road design, vehicle weight, seat belt usage and other variables involved in car crashes.This research is conducted through the Center for Transportation Injury Research and the Calspan University at Buffalo Research Center (CUBRC). He is one of the country’s leading clinical practitioners, instructors and researchers in emergency bedside ultrasonography. An imaging technique commonly used in obstetrics and internal medicine, ultrasonography was slower to develop in EM but has proven to be an extremely effective tool in expediting diagnosis and improving treatment efficacy in trauma centers around the country. ECMC has recently been recognized as having the best trauma outcomes of any of the 50 trauma centers in New York State.
Richard J. Karalus
Director of Microbiology
CUBRC
4455 Genesee Street
Buffalo, NY 14225
716-631-6900
Research Assistant Professor
Microbiology and Immunology
University at Buffalo
139 Biomedical Research Bldg
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3053
webpage: http://www.cubrc.org
Research Interests:
Biodefense related issues including biodetection, the development of novel therapeutics, decontamination, and aerosol biology modeling
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The CUBRC laboratories have been developing biological agent detection systems that utilize state of the art molecular detection strategies. These systems are capable of accepting crude environmental samples, isolating and purifying DNA and performing detection on disposable cartridges. The detection strategies utilize real-time PCR and microarray technology, and are capable of rapidly detecting down to the single numbers of biological agents. These detectors could be employed at strategic sites to provide early warning in the event of an attack with biological agents so that exposed persons may seek treatment
Venkat N. Krovi
Associate Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
1011 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2264
webpage: http://mechatronics.eng.buffalo.edu
Research Interests:
Lifecycle treatment (design, modeling, analysis, control, implementation and verification) of smart, mechanical, mechatronic and robotic systems
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Our guiding vision is to create and evaluate an overall framework for cooperative payload transport by fleets of autonomous wheeled modules. Individual modules can be coupled together to create larger composite-wheeled systems in various shapes and sizes. Tremendous benefits accrue from the resulting system that can be controlled as a single large collective and can actively be reconfigured into various formation shapes to enhance performance. To this end, our research team is applying lessons learned from natural biological collectives (such as armies of ants) to implement scalable and decentralized cooperative manipulation in artificial robot collectives. Application arenas range from industrial applications, where suitable numbers of such modules can be tasked to manipulate variable-sized payloads, to extreme-event applications, where individual rover modules sent on separate missions can cooperate to support search-and-rescue efforts.
Chris Larsen
Associate Professor
Geography
University at Buffalo
105 Wilkeson
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2722 ext 31
webpage: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu/~larsen
Research Interests:
Inter-relations between climate change; Fire frequency and forest composition
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Larsen’s research examines how recent climate and past climate changes have resulted in changes in fire frequency in the boreal and montane forests of Alberta. In the past, cool and dry climates facilitated a high frequency of fires that became reduced as temperature and precipitation increased. Fire control has reduced fire frequency beyond what is expected due to recent climatic change, and this should result in a change in forest composition towards longer-lived tree species. More recent research is being conducted to evaluate if species growth- and mortality-rates are consistent with predictions based on an equilibrial 2XCO2 environment.
George C. Lee
Samuel P. Capen Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
122 Bell Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2039
Special Tasks Director
MCEER
University at Buffalo
105 Red Jacket Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-3391 ext 111
Research Interests:
Behavior and design of metal structures; Seismic design and retrofit of buildings and bridges; Structural response modification technologies; Biomechanics
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Lee was the Director of MCEER between 1992 and 2002. He has dedicated a major effort to establish the theme of MCEER by engaging multidisciplinary team efforts in earthquake engineering research to develop quantifiable earthquake resilient communities. Since 2002, Dr. Lee has been working on the development of advanced technologies for multi-hazard protection of critical building and infrastructure systems as a new frontier of earthquake engineering research. He is the principal investigator of several current research projects including “Design of Steel Buildings Against Earthquake and Post-Earthquake Fire,” “Multiple Hazard Protection of Large Public Buildings,” sponsored by the National Science Foundation; and “Multi-hazard Design of Highway Bridges” which is a major research contract sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration. In his MCEER report on the World Trade Center disaster, he has advanced the concept of a new engineering educational program on “Disaster Engineering.” It is intended for educating a new type of engineering professional who can efficiently maintain critical facilities and manage extreme events to prevent hazards from becoming disasters and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
Kemper Lewis
Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
1010 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2232
Executive Director
NYSCEDII
University at Buffalo
5 Norton Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2685
webpage: http://www.mae.buffalo.edu/people/faculty/lewis/
Research Interests:
Reconfigurable systems design; Multiobjective decision making; Tradeoff modeling and visualization; Game theory; Decision making under uncertainty; Extreme event visualization and simulation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Lewis’ current work focuses on the design of reconfigurable systems and infrastructures that are able to perform optimally in a wide range of operating conditions, often encountered in extreme event planning and response. Fundamental research includes theoretical developments on reconfigurable systems, control algorithms to ensure stable system reconfiguration, optimization methods for multiobjective decision tradeoffs, and modeling and simulation of decentralized decision processes under uncertainty. His work with NYSCEDII includes investigating how extreme event preparedness as well as mitigation and response would be better enabled and facilitated through use of simulation, immersive environments, and web-based systems. NYSCEDII’s expertise in developing web-based collaboration, simulation, and visualization infrastructures enables decision support both before (e.g. facility design, evacuation planning, reconfigurable systems design) and after (e.g., damage visualization, distributed decision support) extreme events. NYSCEDII’s research in coupling complex system simulation with visualization and human-computer interfaces (HCI) supports the development of interactive training simulations for first responders and the assessment of extreme events. Previous applications have included the simulation and visualization of volcanic eruptions/flows and critical infrastructures within hospitals.
Left: Formalizing tradeoffs for alternative reconfigurable system options; Right: Web-based visualization, simulation, and decision support for volcanic regions
Li Lin
Professor
Industrial and Systems Engineering
University at Buffalo
437 Bell Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2357 ext 2119
Research Interests:
Simulation modeling and analysis of operations in complex and critical systems; Delivery of health care services
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Lin’s research includes estimation of hospital capacity in a disaster situation by computer simulation – simulation models are developed to capture the hospital response to the sudden surge of patient volume from the disaster injuries. Empirical models are then derived from the simulation results that can predict the hospitals’ capability of treating injuries in the critical hours after the disaster. Modeling of hospitals’ operations are based on extensive projects with several hospitals in studying the performance of ED’s (Emergency Department) and OR’s.
Anne E. Meyer
Research Associate Professor
Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces
University at Buffalo
110 Parker Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3560
webpage: http://wings.buffalo.edu/faculty/research/iucb
Research Interests:
Biofouling, infection control; Analytical chemistry,; Surface science; Bioinvasions; Biofilms
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Bioinvasive species, ranging from macrofoulers like zebra mussels to infective microbes, have entered the Great Lakes ecosystem from other world ports via transport in ballast water and ballast tank biofilms from commercial vessels using the St. Lawrence Seaway system. Potential disease outbreaks from pathogenic species carried ashore as bioaerosols from ballast water discharges can originate in biofilm-sequestered microbial reservoirs or as deliberate threats. Detection and monitoring of these risk factors using biofilm flow cell devices aboard ship, and bioaerosol collection/analysis devices on shore, have been successful in projects funded by Sea Grant programs. Published results document the continuing risk that ballast tank biofilms serve as "vertical seed beds" for bioinvasive species, and that current international regulations for at-sea ballast tank flushing are not adequate to remove threat particulates of microbial dimensions. Proposed improvements include provision of "easy-release" marine coatings, and modification of operating procedures to minimize bioaerosol production.
Michael D. Moskal
Vice President, Information Exploitation Group
CUBRC
4455 Genesee Street
Buffalo, NY 14225
716-631-6923
webpage: http://www.cubrc.org
Research Interests:
Emergency Management; Information Fusion; Computer Science and Engineering; Modeling and Simulation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Mr. Moskal currently serves as the Director of CUBRC’s Information Exploitation and Systems Integration group where he is responsible for general management and new business development for a $9.0M business unit. This business unit performs information system R&D for the U.S. Government DoD and Intelligence communities in addition to a variety of Federal, State and Local Public Health and Safety agencies. He served as the lead systems integrator and developer for a regional syndromic surveillance system that was deployed in Western New York. This regional system is designed to provide early warning of a bio-terrorism event or other disease outbreaks through the collection and analysis of medical data obtained from a variety of sources including: 911 Call Center Data, EMS Patient Care Reports, Emergency Department Triage records and other clinical data.
Aside from his professional employment, Mr. Moskal spent 12 years as the Director of Emergency Management (Disaster Coordinator) for the Village of Depew, New York where he developed and implemented the first-ever comprehensive emergency management plan for that community.
Gilberto Mosqueda
Assistant Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
212 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2114 ext 2416
webpage: http://www.civil.buffalo.edu/professors_mosqueda.shtml
Research Interests:
Structural dynamics and earthquake engineering; Experimental evaluation of large-scale structural systems under extreme loads using hybrid simulation; Seismic fragility of nonstructural components and building content
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Mosqueda’s primary research interests are in the experimental evaluation of large-scale structural and nonstructural components under seismic and other extreme loads. Current research projects focus on improving the seismic performance of hospitals using new laboratory capabilities for testing nonstructural components and medical equipment in acute care facilities under realistic loading. Also, studies are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of seismic design principals in mitigating blast induced collapse in steel buildings. Dr. Mosqueda served as the field investigation team leader for the MCEER Reconnaissance of the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina and conducted detailed investigations of damage to engineered buildings, bridges and lifelines.
Nonstructural component simulator can subject nonstructural components to full-scale floor motions expected in multistory buildings during earthquakes.
Edward G. Niles
Professor
Microbiology and Immunology
University at Buffalo
219 Biomedical Research Bldg
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3262
webpage: http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/wcmpi/Faculty/niles.html
Research Interests:
Gene transcription; mRNA processing; Virology; Poxviruses; Vaccinia
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Vaccinia virus is a double stranded DNA containing virus that replicates in the cytoplasm of infected cells. In order to conduct this unusual life cycle, vaccinia contains the genes needed to produce the enzymes responsible for gene transcription, mRNA modification and DNA replication. Viral gene expression is divided into three temporal classes. Early genes are transcribed in the virus core. Intermediate and late genes employ a replicating DNA template. Each class has its own set of transcription regulatory factors. Only early genes are subject to signal dependent transcription termination. Early gene transcription termination requires several factors including: the virion form of RNA polymerase containing the Rap94 subunit, NPH I, which provides energy from the hydrolysis of ATP, VTF the vaccinia termination factor and the signal UUUUUNU in the nascent mRNA. We are investigating the interplay among these factors and searching for a UUUUUNU recognition protein, in order to elucidate the mechanism of viral transcription termination. We have demonstrated that the addition of an oligonucleotide containing the UUUUUNU sequence to an in vitro transcription reaction stimulates transcription termination, in trans. Based on this observation, we are investigating the possibility that chimeric UUUUUNU containing oligonucleotides can be developed as efficacious anti-poxvirus agents.
Abani K. Patra
Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
605 Furnas
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2240
webpage: http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/~abani
Research Interests:
Large scale modeling & simulation using modeling schemes & HPC for extreme events including geophysical mass flows (volcanic debris avalanches, mudslides); Hypervelocity impact; Biomechanical injury analysis; Meshfree & adaptive finite element methods
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Funded by the National Science Foundation, we have recently developed the TITAN toolkit for hazard analysis of geophysical mass flows. The toolset is in use by over 200 research scientists and hazard management officials worldwide. The toolset integrates best available mathematical models, advanced numerical methodology with geographical information science to produce simulations that are very useful for hazard analysis. A recent development is the characterization of the effect of uncertain input parameters on model outputs. Others involved in this project are M. Sheridan, E. B. Pitman, M. Bursik, E. Calder, T. Kesavadas.
E. Bruce Pitman
Professor
Math
University at Buffalo
318 Mathematics Building
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-6284
webpage: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~pitman
Research Interests:
Mathematical modeling; High performance computing
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
As part of an interdisciplinary project with colleagues in engineering, geology and geography, Professor Pitman has developed mathematical models describing pyroclastic flows, debris flows, and granular avalanches – common geophysical mass flows. These models have been integrated into TITAN2D, a computing environment that solves the model equations over terrain. Pitman and his colleagues are developing new computational methods that can be used to simulate mass flows. He is developing tools to understand how uncertainty in model equations – uncertainty in parameters, in data, and in the models themselves – must be accounted for in assessing hazard risks.
Andrei M. Reinhorn
Clifford C Furnas Eminent Professor
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
135 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2114 ext 2419
webpage: http://civil.eng.buffalo.edu/~reinhorn
Research Interests:
Structural dynamics; Experimental and computational structural control; Development of strategies for protective systems of structures, buildings and bridges, with applications to collapse prevention
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Reinhorn is credited with developing computational strategies for the analysis of buildings and bridges using advanced models in nonlinear mechanics with applications to base isolation and fluid or visco-elastic dampers. While the computational strategies were implemented in computer platforms which are used worldwide by select research user groups, the same strategies were used for the implementation and construction of award winning buildings in seismic areas subjected to multiple extreme loadings such as strong winds, earthquakes, and suddenly applied loads. The picture shows the award winning Torre-Mayor Tower in Mexico City, the tallest tower in Latin America, which was equipped with special energy dissipation devices using the computational strategies indicated above. More recent developments address the simulation of progressive collapse of structures and its prevention.
Chris S. Renschler
Associate Professor
Geography
University at Buffalo
116 Wilkeson Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2722 ext 23
National Center for Geographic Information & Analysis
University at Buffalo
301 Wilkeson Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2545
webpage: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu/~rensch
Research Interests:
Extreme event analysis of earth system processes; Process-based environmental models, GIS & remote sensing; Dev. and implementation of geospatial process-based multi-hazard modeling tools; Decision- and policy-making in nat. resources & nat. hazards mgmt
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The formulation of my integrated data transformation and scaling theory contributes to our fundamental understanding and ability to communicate how we (a) represent the spatiotemporal variability, extremes, and uncertainty of environmental properties and processes in the digital domain, how we (b) transform their spatiotemporal representation across scales during data processing and modeling in the digital domain, and how we design and develop tools for (c) geo-spatial data management and (d) geo-spatial process modeling and implement them to effectively (e) support decision- and policy-making in natural resources and hazard management at various spatial and temporal scales of interest.
Scaling theory describing and documenting the transformation of information across scales
Thomas C. Rosenthal
Professor and Chair
Family Medicine
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, NY 14215
716-898-4505
Research Interests:
Primary care physician preparation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Rosenthal is a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York’s Task Force on Extreme Events. He has participated in planning and developing training programs for physicians in NY. The programs focus on recognition, early management, reporting and community preparation for extreme events. He has spoken on mental health issues associated with extreme events at national and statewide meetings.
Donald W. Rowe
Public Health Liaison
Public Health
University at Buffalo
416 Kimball Tower
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3434 ext 414
Research Interests:
Public Health collaborations/partnerships; PH emergency preparedness; Cross border public health; PH emergency preparedness curricula development
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Rowe is working with the WNY Public Health Alliance to establish an Advanced Practice Center for Rural Emergency Preparedness. He is developing tools to assist rural communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from extreme events. Recent activity includes the conduct of a symposium entitled “Public Health Emergencies and Legal Preparedness: A Cross Border Challenge” held on Nov 17, 2006 via the Baldy Center. Audio and video transcripts will be available soon.
Thomas A. Russo
Professor
Medicine
University at Buffalo
141 Biomedical Research Bldg.
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2674
Research Interests:
Bacterial pathogenesis; Vaccine development; Host-pathogen interactions; Bioinformatics; Neutrophils; Escherichia coli; Acinetobacter baumannii
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Russo has two research focuses: The first involves studies on extraintestinal pathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli (ExPEC), which cause urinary tract infection, pulmonary infection, bacteremia, and other infections outside of the intestinal tract. Dr. Russo’s ExPEC studies focus on: 1) identification of new virulence determinants, 2) ExPEC-host interactions, and 3) vaccine development. Dr. Russo has begun a new COE-based project in collaboration with Drs. Gill and Campagnari. These studies involve Acinteobacter, which is a bacterium that causes nosocomial infections and combat-related infections. Acinetobacter-related studies include: 1) Identification and initial assessment of potential vaccine candidates, 2) Molecular epidemiologic assessment of military and civilian healthcare associated Acinetobacter strain collections, 3) Genome sequencing of representative military and civilian associated A. baumannii strains, and 4) Comparative prevalence of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes, and genes that encode surface-exposed epitopes between military and civilian healthcare associated A. baumannii isolates by microarray analysis.
William T. Ruyechan
Professor and Associate Chair
Microbiology and Immunology
University at Buffalo
251 Biomedical Research Bldg
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2312
webpage: http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/wcmpi/faculty/ruyechan.htm
Research Interests:
Virology; Viral pathogenesis; Host virus interactions; Viral vaccines
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Ruyechan's work involves examination of mutations within the varicella zoster virus vaccine that lead to attenuation and which revert to wild type. These molecular tools and approaches can be used to evaluate other viral vaccines and to monitor viral outbreaks resulting from population shifts due to natural and man-made disasters.
W. James Sarjeant
James Clerk Maxwell General Dynamics Chair Professor and Director, Energy Systems Institute
Electrical Engineering
University at Buffalo
314A Bonner Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-3115 ext 1208
webpage: http://www.esi.buffalo.edu
Research Interests:
Capacitor development; Insulation coordination; Pulsed power; Power modulation; Partial discharge analysis
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The research focus of the Energy Systems Institute (ESI) is the development of mechanisms to predict failure in electronic systems, while also developing new and novel techniques for protection of electrical systems under extreme conditions. The Institute works with other basic research institutions and with Original Equipment Manufacturers (that make custom electronics to their customer's specifications) and with government laboratories or departments that need to be sure that their product will work when required. ESI’s strategy has been to test and develop systems diagnostics, stage by stage taking developed or developing materials and evaluating them for electrical stress. With the current technological emphasis on electronics size reduction, with increased power density, and high frequency operation, designed/built in diagnostics become even more critical. Our most recent partnerships involve projects working with the military/industrial complex to make the electronics components of a broad spectrum of systems fail-safe for the public at large.
Michael F. Sheridan
Director, Center for Geohazards Studies
Geology
University at Buffalo
415 Cooke Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-5345
webpage: http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/~mfs/
Research Interests:
Volcanic hazards; Computer simulation of granular flows; Explosive volcanism; Cross disciplinary synergism
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
In October, 2005, tropical storm Stan brought heavy precipitation throughout much of Guatemala. In more mountainous regions, this precipitation induced landslides, debris flows, and mudflows. In the community of Panabaj, Santiago Atitlán, a landslide of loose material originating high on the slopes of Tolimán volcano buried much of the community, leaving approximately 400 people dead. These flows were so forceful that even a thickness of only a few tens of centimeters was enough to completely destroy houses. We have mapped the disaster, made computer simulations of these flows, and advised the civil protection authorities regarding construction of re-location housing for refugees.
Natalie C. Simpson
Associate Professor
Management
University at Buffalo
351 Jacobs Management Center
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2443
webpage: http://www.mgt.buffalo.edu/CFDOCS/Forms/faculty/bios/faculty.cfm?fac=nsimpson
Research Interests:
Emergency service systems; Emergency response; Incident command; Event management and business resilience
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Simpson’s work treats emergency response as a unique sector of service management, characterizing the elements of successful operation under highly uncertain conditions. Principles associated with the operation of successful emergency service systems can, in turn, be acquired in some form by many other organizations, to increase resilience against random disruptions of normal operating conditions. Dr. Simpson has both published in the area of emergency response modeling and won national recognition for a teaching case study developed to teach modeling in the context of structural fire-fighting. She has served as a volunteer firefighter since 1997.
Project network diagram of confirmed evacuated residential structure fire hyper-project. In Simpson, Journal of Operations Management, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2006.
Tarunraj Singh
Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
1009 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2235
webpage: http://code.eng.buffalo.edu
Research Interests:
Optimal control; Nonlinear control; Robust vibration control; Estimation
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
A research group led by Drs. Tarunraj Singh of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Peter Scott of Computer Science and Engineering, lead a team including scientists from the Applied Research Labs of Penn State University and CUBRC. They are developing a data assimilation strategy for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The goal is to use meteorological and chem-bio sensor data to monitor toxic plumes, predicting their future tracks and identifying the locations of the source spills which gave rise to them. This has relevance to pre-disaster planning and post-disaster response.
Puneet Singla
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University at Buffalo
1010 Furnas Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2593 ext 2232
webpage: http://www.buffalo.edu/~psingla
Research Interests:
Uncertainty propagation: Multiresolution approximation: Nonlinear control and autonomous systems
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The focus of Dr. Singla’s research work is on the development of algorithms for uncertainty propagation through complex nonlinear systems that enables tracking, monitoring and predicting natural or manmade activities by developing high fidelity models of complex geospatial activities and by exploiting data assimilation techniques for irregularly spaced and opportunistic data. The model domain can include dispersion phenomena of many diverse types: evolution of populations, epidemics, dispersion of chemical biological radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agents subsequent to natural or man-made disasters, etc.
Edward Steinfeld
Professor and Director, IDEA Center
Architecture
University at Buffalo
378 Hayes Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3485 ext 327
webpage: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea
Research Interests:
Emergency evacuation; Disability and aging issues; Standards; Housing
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
People with disabilities are a vulnerable population that are often isolated or ignored during extreme events. Dr. Steinfeld recently published a journal article with an overview of this problem. One of the central issues in building design for evacuation is the accommodation of people in wheelchairs. He is the co-director of a major long term study on the anthropometry of wheeled mobility. The results of this work will lead to improvements in building codes, including attention to design of circulation systems, alarm and communications systems that accommodate wheeled mobility users more effectively than present methods.
Ernest Sternberg
Professor
Urban and Regional Planning
University at Buffalo
116 Hayes Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2133 ext 224
Research Interests:
General conceptualization of disaster planning within a state, urban area, or facility
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Sternberg’s current work asks: How should responsible public officials organize their thinking about the enormously complex issues raised by proneness to disaster? How should they make decisions despite extreme uncertainty and what ethical dilemmas arise under such uncertainty? How can municipalities effectively plan for the systems and capabilities needed in an emergency? His recent published work has focused on planning to avert health emergencies and hospital disasters. Other work has examined urban earthquake recovery and preparedness for severe winter storms. He was project director for the SUNY-wide conference “Scholarship in Homeland Security” held in Albany in Sept. 2005. He is founding president of Protect NY, a group of researchers and educators focused on ways to protect New York State from terrorism, epidemics, and natural or technological disaster (www.protectnewyork.org).
Reported hospital evacuations by hazard type, 1977-1999. In Sternberg, Lee, and Huard, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2004.
Moises Sudit
Managing Director, Center for Multisource Information Fusion
Industrial and Systems Engineering
University at Buffalo
414 Bell Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-2357 ext 2473
webpage: http://www.infofusion.buffalo.edu
Research Interests:
Data/Information Fusion; Discrete Optimization; Graph Theory and Network Optimization; Situational Understanding
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Moises Sudit’s primary research interests are in the theory and applications of Discrete Optimization. More specifically, he has been concerned in the design and analysis of methods to solve problems in the areas of Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization. One primary goal of this research has been the development of efficient exact and approximate (heuristic) procedures to solve large-scale engineering and management problems. As managing director of the Center for Multisource Information Fusion, Dr. Sudit has merged the interests of Operations Research with Information Fusion.
Robert C. Sugarman
Human Factors Coordinator
Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces
RCS Performance Systems, Inc.
4455 Genesee St.
Buffalo, NY 14225
716-634-8016
webpage: http://www.rcspsi.com
Research Interests:
Human factors; Ergonomics; Accident reconstuction and analysis; Psychology; Behavioral science; Training
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Sugarman provides analysis and consultation regarding accident causation involving people, their environment, and equipment. He serves on the staff of the I/UCB on the South Campus but is full time at RCS Performance Systems, Inc. developing industrial training programs and providing forensic personal injury analysis. His academic training is in physics and experimental psychology with a concentration in perception. He has experience in construction as a quality manager.
Joseph A. Syracuse
Director, Atlantic OSHA Training Center
Toxicology Research Center
University at Buffalo
Hayes B
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-2125
webpage: http://www.wings.buffalo.edu/trc
Research Interests:
Occupational safety and health training; Environmental safety and health training; Construction and industrial safety and safety training; Industrial hygiene education; Disaster site safety and worker safety training at extreme event sites
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
At the Atlantic OSHA Training Center and Hazardous Materials Worker Education Program located at the Toxicology Research Center, we have for 16 years provided training to the personnel who respond to the emergencies and disasters resulting from extreme events. We develop and provide training to the emergency responders who work at the incident and to the workers who clean up after the incident. We have developed and conducted training courses to provide healthcare facility personnel the skills needed to deal safely with the casualties who will arrive at our healthcare facilities.
Mai (Mike) Tong
Senior Research Scientist
MCEER
University at Buffalo
Red Jacket Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-3019 ext 2444
Research Interests:
Probabilistic analysis of multiple hazard extreme events; Reliability based infrastructure design against natural hazards; Evaluation of operability and vulnerability of critical facilities under multiple hazard conditions
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Tong is current conducting two research projects: (1) commeasurable evaluation of multiple hazard loadings for highway bridge design, and (2) simulation of acute hospital facility operation under multiple hazard conditions. The first project aims to establish a probabilistic based commeasurable risk assessment methodology for the comparison and evaluation of various extreme hazard loadings; the second aims to integrate multiple hazard simulation (earthquake, fire, and blast) and hazard impact analysis on a platform of physical models of an acute hospital building and its utility systems.
Maurizio Trevisan
Professor and Dean
Public Health
University at Buffalo
435 Kimball Tower
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-829-3434 ext 416
Research Interests:
Epidemiology of long term health effects of natural disasters
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Dr. Trevisan has directed a long-term follow-up of an occupational cohort of factory workers in Southern Italy. A number of these workers have had their homes damaged as a result of a series of earthquakes that took place in the 1980s and 1990s. We have been investigating the short and long-term effects of the earthquakes on Cardiovascular Disease risk factors and mental health in these individuals. Our study findings indicate that the effects on the CVD risk factors appear to be limited in time. However, individuals who have suffered disruption of their social network because of the relocation and have incurred financial losses are at risk of poorer mental well being even ten years after the disaster struck. These studies were funded, in part, by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Le Wang
Assistant Professor
Geography
University at Buffalo
110 Wilkeson Quad
Buffalo, NY 14261
716-645-2722 ext 24
webpage: http://www.buffalo.edu/~lewang
Research Interests:
Dev. of new remote sensing methods; Land cover & use classification and change detection; Coastal mangroves forest characterization; Invasive species spread modeling; Urban population estimation; LiDAR & hyperspectral remote sensing; Object extraction
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
Le Wang is currently conducting an NSF-funded project on characterizing coastal mangroves from remote sensing. Mangroves are a unique forest type that provide critical “ecosystem services”, one of which was recently evidenced in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, i.e. areas with intact seaward mangrove forests suffered much less human death and property destruction than otherwise. In this research, he intends to map and monitor the spatial distribution, species composition, and health of coastal mangrove forests through linking local, stand-level measurements with remotely sensed patterns of canopy composition and dynamics at the landscape level. The figures below are three high-spatial resolution (4m) IKONOS satellite image in our study site at Panama in 2000, 2002, and 2004.
Troy D. Wood
Associate Professor
Chemistry
University at Buffalo
417 Natural Sciences Complex
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-6800 ext.2176
webpage: http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/wood.php
Research Interests:
Biodefense; Chemical profiling
Summary of Recent Relevant Research:
The Wood group’s research efforts in Extreme Events are related to detection and classification of bacterial infectious agents using chemical markers that provide a molecular fingerprint of the agent(s) responsible. This characterization uses sensitive mass spectrometric techniques to characterize both volatile organic compounds (VOC) produced from bacterial metabolism, as well as intrinsic "biomarkers" representative of individual bacterial species. As a consequence, our research represents an interdisciplinary collaborative effort with CUBRC and the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics at the University at Buffalo.
Jennifer Zirnheld
Deputy Director, Energy Systems Institute and Adjunct Instructor
Electrical Engineering
University at Buffalo
313 Bonner Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-3115 ext1202
