Research conference at UH to focus on US troops' needs, homelan...( As the U.S. armed forces and intelli...)

As the U.S. armed forces and intelligence community seek out strategies that will give them an edge in battles on multiple fronts, University of Houston researchers are developing innovative techniques and devices to help defend both the troops and the homeland. That pairing of tactical and technical expertise will be showcased Nov. 13 when UH holds its third Department of Defense Research Conference.

"UH researchers are in pursuit of new, cutting-edge technologies that will benefit American troops," said Don Birx, vice chancellor for research for the UH System and vice president for research for UH. "This conference gives our researchers access to the military and offers us a better understanding of the agency's needs so that we can provide them with excellent, state-of-the-art technologies and creative solutions."

The daylong conference, which will be held at the Hilton UH Hotel and Conference Center, will showcase defense-oriented research projects under way at UH. Defense Department speakers will cover cyber-command research needs, security clearance restrictions, post-traumatic stress disorder, homeland security, nanotechnology, human performance, advanced materials, and Navy and Air Force research opportunities.

Maj. Gen. Davin N. Senty, commander of the U.S. Air Force Network Operations, will be the keynote speaker.

Past conferences have drawn hundreds of researchers from institutions across the region, representatives from multiple arms of the defense agency, and industry partners. This year, co-sponsor Houston Corps of Cadets has arranged a special program to highlight the undergraduate research experience and explain how students can help meet the Defense Department's research needs.

"These are the only research conferences in the nation co-hosted by ROTC units, and we are very proud to be helping both UH and the Department of Defense meet urgent wartime research needs," said Col. Phil Bossert, commander
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