1
John Sokolowski, Ph.D. Executive Director
STATE OF VMASC
AGENDA
• Organization Summary
• Mission and Vision
• VMASC by the Numbers
• VMASC Strategic Plan Update
• Major Research Projects
• New Initiatives
• STEM Activities
• Other Areas of Interest
• Industry Partnership
ORGANIZATION
• University-level research center founded in 1997 21 Researchers: 11 PhDs,10 project scientists 3 engineering service experts 7 administrative staff 2 IT Staff 7 Graduate Students
• Research sponsors include U. S. Department of Defense, Commonwealth of Virginia, Private Industry
• $6 million in annual research awards
TRANSPORTATION LAB – works to increase individual and group mobility and safety through the use of M&S techniques, with topics including traffic modeling, transportation network planning, behavioral influences and constraints, aviation safety, maritime operations, logistics and distribution, and training
MEDICAL M&S TOOL DEVELOPMENT LAB - centered on developing training tools for both clinical and academic settings via real-time simulation of actual patient data and imagery.
ADVANCED ANALYTICS & COMPLEX SYSTEMS LAB - designed to host analytic software for risk modeling and simulation, simulation-based optimization, public health and healthcare database application development and GIS tools for developing graphical and terrain databases
LABORATORIES
HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING LAB - designed to host human-computer interface and human behavior modeling activities
HUMAN DYNAMICS LAB - seeks to study humans in simulations including the theories, techniques and tools needed to model individuals and groups along behavioral, cognitive, and socio-cultural dimensions.
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS & ROBOTICS LAB - supports research in two major initiatives, immersive virtual environments and autonomous robotics/unmanned systems
MEDICAL LAB - supports the use of M&S for medical Training, Treatment, Disease Modeling, and Management of Health Care Systems
LABORATORIES
MISSION AND VISION
VMASC Mission• Engage in scholarly research in modeling and simulation
(M&S), visualization, and analysis that yields significant contributions to the M&S body of knowledge, provides constructive solutions to critical challenges facing academic, government, and industry partners, and fosters the international advancement of the discipline of M&S.
• Promote economic development through collaboration with industry and through the continued maturation of research ideas and analysis to create tangible products and applications suitable for commercial development or public investment.
• Support M&S education and workforce development through classroom instruction and through active engagement of students in the research process.
VMASC VisionOld Dominion University, through VMASC, is a leader in modeling and simulation (M&S), analysis, and visualization, and is recognized for its multidisciplinary approach to M&S research, education, and application.
RESEARCH LEVEL OF EFFORT
Purchase Release Time History20
06-2
007
2007
-200
8
2008
-200
9
2009
-201
0
2010
-201
1
2011
-201
2
2012
-201
3
$-
$100,000.00
$200,000.00
$300,000.00
$400,000.00
$500,000.00
$600,000.00
$700,000.00
$800,000.00
$900,000.00
$1,000,000.00
SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
• 294 publications in the last 6 years
• 7 significant M&S Textbooks
Total Publications Journal Articles Conference Papers
Books & Book Chapters
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
We are focused on the following STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Emphasize publications in high impact journals as a means of gaining recognition for quality of work. This recognition contributes to opportunities for longer term, higher levels of funding from major research funding organizations.
• Maintain a balance of funding sources with no one funding source comprising more than 40% of the research expenditure. Obtain funding from at least five new sponsors including NSF.
• Concentrate on tangible product development
• Increase Technical Service Support
Major Applied Research Areas
MILITARY
Focused on M&S interoperability and subject matter expertise input
HOMELAND SECURITY
Support to risk analysis, disaster analysis, infrastructure protection, cyber security
MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE
$250k base funding from Commonwealth
Focus is bringing virtual reality products to the medical/healthcare industry and growing the region as a hub for medical M&S
TRANSPORTATION
Awarded a National University Transportation Center in partnership with the University of Maryland
Established the Center for Innovative Transportation Solutions
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
• Partner with EVMS
• Provisional patent filed for our design
• Will replace the stethoscope as the tool of choice for bed side diagnostics
Ultrasound Training Simulation Tool
• First model to provide detailed analysis of the number and types of individuals that need special attention during an emergency
• Opened the eyes of local and state officials to the magnitude of the problem along many lines (health care, economy).
Underserved Population Model
• Providing a multi-modal simulation approach to pre-deployment training and skill knowledge sustainment for military nurses
• accelerates time to knowledge and skill acquisition
• reduces or eliminates didactic course time to be replaced by simulation practice scenarios
• giving greater time for hands on skill practice in the simulation center and in field experiences.
TATRC Immersive Training Project
• Real time evaluation of evacuation times and options in response to emergencies
• Probabilistic evaluation of evacuation plans in preparation for potential emergencies
• Analysis of evacuation route options to mitigate evacuation challenges
NEW INITIATIVES
Hot area for national funding
Commonwealth of Virginia helped create CCAM – Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Digital Manufacturing
ODU is one of the organizing university partners along with UVA, VT, and VSU.
Provides access to ~$2 million in annual research funding.
• Digital Human
• “Big Data” modeling and analysis
• Increased cybersecurity effort
• NEXTGEN Air Traffic Control/UAV Modeling
New Initiatives
STEM ACTIVITIES
• Hosted 3 game camps and 2 Robotics camps this summer serving over 100 middle school and high school students.
• Participated with Opportunity Inc. to introduce disadvantaged students to Modeling and Simulation and providing them part time employment to upgrade their STEM skills.
• Supported the STEAM Academy with a one week short course in cryptography. Also developed a simulation for them that will assess potential students’ non-academic skills as part of the admissions process.
STEM Activities
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
Other Areas of Interest
• Campus Master Plan
• Hampton Roads Community Foundation Study Groups
Entrepreneurship Workforce Development Leadership Industry Clusters
PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY
Partnership with IndustryTwo forms of engagement
• Transfer of intellectual property to businesses
• Joint efforts on collaborative work
Since its inception VMASC has garnered $108 million in research funding
• 10% of that amount has gone to industry in various partner relationships
Working at producing tangible research products that are better able to transition to the market place
25
Contact Information:
Dr. John Sokolowski, Executive Director
757.686.6232
VMASC