Biotechnology and Human Systems

Our R&D seeks to improve human conditions on many fronts. The technology and systems we develop enhance disaster response capabilities, address impacts of climate change, advance defenses against biological and chemical threats, and improve the health and performance of the nation's service members and civilians.

A green spider-web looking image with a black background.

Biological and Chemical Technologies
Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Systems
Human Health and Performance Systems
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Systems

We view molecular-scale phenomena as critical to many future and emerging national security challenges. To address these challenges, our group develops tools that collect, manipulate, and process materials and information derived from the molecular domain.

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Steph Foster speaks through a megaphone to a gathering of first responders and officials.

In the Media

Meet the problem solvers: women tackling challenges with science and technology

Feb 15

NATO

Laboratory staff member Ted Mendum stands while performing system checks on a mass spectrometer inside the laboratory. Photo: Glen Cooper

Researchers seek to improve the speed and safety of airport security screening

Feb 9

An artistic illustration of speech signals moving back and forth between speakers wearing masks.

In the Media

Vocal biomarkers can indicate COVID-19 infection

Jan 30

Nature Scientific Reports

More News

This image shows Mexico Beach, FL, after it sustained damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. It was taken through NOAA’s Emergency Remote Sensing program. Satellites could provide similar information after more incidents. (Image courtesy of NOAA.)

disaster relief

DisasterSat

Dedicated satellite imaging could help coordinate emergency response to disasters.

A researcher tests a prototype ankle exoskeleton adapted with machine learning capabilities to adaptively and intelligently provide assistance.

STRIVE Center

Human-Exoskeleton Fluency

Researchers at the STRIVE Center are developing a fluid, intuitive exoskeleton system to improve the technology’s use in operational environments.

A participant walks on the treadmill in a virtual hospital hallway while the platform applies a rotation perturbation.

STRIVE Center

Assessment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers at the STRIVE Center are improving methods for identifying the mechanisms underlying balance impairments in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

health

National Demand PPE Study Web Application

The application helps users to plan pandemic response by estimating state and regional personal protective equipment (PPE) demand.

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I am always looking for ways to make the lives of my teammates easier and make the survivor experience better.

Chad Council

Systems Analyst

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Systems

My current work is a good combination of prosaic day-to-day problem solving, while also touching on deeper questions about human mind and behavior.

Jim Williamson

Bioengineer

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Human Health and Performance Systems

Jim Williamson poses for a photo, smiling, with a wall of windows in the background.

For the future, I envision a collaborative translational center that bridges speech and language with other sensory indicators.

Thomas Quatieri

Senior Research Scientist

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Human Health and Performance Systems

Photo of Thomas Quatieri with a poster on autism spectrum disorder in the background.

My favorite kind of work is when I get to clean up and maintain a program or website and turn it into something that people can actually install and use.