Technologically Speaking

In this second episode of Season 6, host Brittany Greco chats with Alice Hong, Director of S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), about how emerging technologies are helping first responders secure our communities. Want to hear more about how S&T and NUSTL are shaping the future of emergency response? Tune in to hear how: Drones are revolutionizing emergency response, making it safer and faster for law enforcement and rescue teams to get eyes on the scene. Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems advancements are helping DHS Components and other government partners keep major events like the FIFA World Cup tournament safe and secure. NUSTL is collaborating with local agencies to tackle evolving public safety challenges and help them make smart purchasing decisions.

We’re kicking off Season 6 with a timely conversation with Helen Mearns, Deputy Director of S&T’s Chemical Security Analysis Center. She shares with host Brittany Greco all about the lab’s vital work in safeguarding the country from chemical hazards. In this episode, you’ll learn how CSAC: Tackles everything from detecting synthetic opioids to combatting food adulteration. Designs large-scale experiments and modeling tools to inform immediate emergency response efforts. Prepares key stakeholders for major event security, including the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

In the final episode of Technologically Speaking Season 5, host Brittany Greco and S&T Senior Advisor Kristin Wyckoff explore how the Directorate is helping DHS and its components to see over the horizon through foresighting. By understanding the landscape and developing a matrix of emerging threats, S&T will direct R&D towards solutions to defeat those threats—and shape the future of homeland security. Wyckoff explains how S&T’s work across DHS and with international, industry, and academic partners uniquely positions her team to leverage these stakeholders’ experiences and expertise to help secure a brighter and safer future for us all.

Host Brittany Greco and Air, Land, and Ports of Entry Program Manager Saadat Laiq have an important conversation about new technology solutions to assist Department of Homeland Security component agencies and frontline responders secure our borders and points of entry. They discuss everything from the Big Wing drone to Multi-Energy Portal cargo scanners to S&T’s aviation security portfolio and keeping an eye on ships at sea. And how to how to cross a body of water on a bike!

In this episode of Technologically Speaking, John Han of our International Cooperative Programs Office joins host Brittany Greco for a wide-ranging discussion about his role as S&T’s attaché to Singapore. They discuss topics ranging from the Directorate’s critical research and development priorities in the Indo-Pacific region to the strategic importance of Singapore to what you must eat if you ever visit (hint: it’s spicy!).

In this episode, host Brittany Greco sits down with S&T Senior Standards Advisor Renee Stevens for a lively discussion about how setting standards for technology development can actually be a matter of life, death, and national security. You’ll hear how the faith that we put in everyday things (like seatbelts) is directly related to the faith and confidence we put in millimeter wave technology at airport checkpoints, law enforcement ballistic helmets, computers, and the security of artificial intelligence systems. Stevens explains how proper standards-setting protects everyone, from first responders in the field to the American public.

S&T Program Manager Anthony Caracciolo has helped to usher in new, innovative technology to support our nation’s first responders and help them to save more lives. In this episode, Anthony and host Deepak Saini discuss digitizing building floorplans, enabling detection of life through walls, contactless vehicle stoppage, and more. You will also learn about his childhood in New York City and how having an older brother who was a cop led to a passion for making all responders safer in the field.

Emergency Prevention and Response Director Luke Watko joins host Dee Saini to talk about how S&T gathers and prioritizes first responders’ technology needs and drives innovation to help them safely answer every call. You’ll hear about tech that helps firefighters find their way out of complete darkness, another that allows colleagues to pinpoint their location to within a centimeter if they are in trouble, and how artificial intelligence and virtual reality can support agency operations. Watko also shares how his journey from an Arizona mining town to the Air Force landed him at S&T and how responders on the front lines during the pandemic influenced the trajectory of his career.

In this episode host Brittany Greco joins National Urban Security Technology Laboratory Engineer Cassy Robinson for a conversation about her work with the Big City Fire Working Group, bringing together the national fire community to identify technology gaps S&T can fill. She explains how she went from growing peaches on the farm in rural South Carolina to operating search and rescue robots at Ground Zero on 911 and how this fascinating journey led her to the Department of Homeland Security.

In the first Season 5 episode of Technologically Speaking, host Dee Saini chats with Russell Becker, director of S&T’s Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, about the technologies in place that power our communities’ emergency response channels. Learn about challenges agencies face when responding to emergencies that cross jurisdictional lines, or that require multiple agencies to respond, and what S&T is doing to help responders stay connected and keep lines of emergency communication open. 

Biochemical and forensic experts from the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) visited one of the nation’s busiest (and loudest) ports of entry in Mariposa, Arizona. With this as our backdrop, listen as the group discusses research and development of a novel fentanyl detector designed to improve screening for illicit drugs. S&T’s Dan Conway leads a conversation with Dr. Andrea Wiggins of S&T’s Chemical Biological Detection and Defense Program; Travis Brown, S&T Program Manager for Forensics and Criminal Investigation; Dr. Laura Parker, S&T Senior Advisor on Sensors and Detection; and PNNL Senior Research Chemist Dr. Robert Ewing about how this new technology was demonstrated and could soon be used and overall challenges with combating the flow of fentanyl.

S&T and its National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) recently joined the U.S. Fire Administration and the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) for a workshop to address best practices and research needs for fighting lithium-ion battery fires. In this minisode, which was recorded at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island, you will hear from each agency about firsthand experiences firefighters are facing with electrification and how New York City serves as a model for other jurisdictions nationwide. In addition, S&T Acting Under Secretary Julie Brewer and NUSTL Division Director Orly Amir share how this issue is driving S&T research to support our first responders.

In this Tech Speak minisode, the Science and Technology Directorate reports from a field in Mississippi where we tested a new type of drone system—the Bellbird Communications Platform—over the summer with first responders from across the country. With a microphone and a powerful speaker, the Bellbird facilitates important emergency messaging between responders and crowds. Maintaining clear communication without putting people at risk is something that could ultimately help keep everyone safe in challenging situations. Hear from some of the responder evaluators about how this technology meets their needs, as well as S&T Program Manager Brenda Long and National Urban Security Technology Laboratory Test Lead Bhargav Patel about how and why we conduct these types of field tests.    

Host Brittany Greco has a fascinating discussion with Emily Saulsgiver, deputy director of S&T’s International Cooperative Programs Office (ICPO), which cultivates relationships with the partners that we need to advance science and technology around the world. ICPO identifies areas of mutual interest for cooperation, fosters scientific exchanges, and works with global counterparts to address shared challenges and spark innovation. Emily also lets us in on some of the lessons she’s learned along the way about the protocols of international negotiations and the best way to get to know a new country, and she answers an existential question: if you live out of a suitcase, is it easier to pack or unpack?   

S&T Senior Advisor for Advanced Computing Dr. Amy Henninger and host Brittany Greco get us up to speed on the Directorate’s work to address adversarial artificial intelligence (AI), a new (and potent) threat that is part of the emerging AI revolution in computing. She discusses how it can appear similar to cyberattacks yet is fundamentally different. She also offers her definition of AI—one that you may not have heard before. If you’ve wondered about deep fakes, phishing scams on steroids, and the broader social implications of not knowing what you can trust, give this episode a listen.

Technologically Speaking host Deepak Saini sits down with Program Manager Brent Talbot to talk about the science behind electromagnetic pulses, known as EMPs, and geomagnetic disturbances. He lifts the lid on the work S&T is doing to think through ways to protect against these energy waves that can knock out the electricity and render mobile devices inoperable. Hear how his background in signals intelligence and a love for solving puzzles led him down a path to S&T, where he works every day to anticipate the next big thing in technology to protect the homeland from emerging threats.

In this episode, host Dee Saini chats with S&T Biometrics Program Manager and Ports of Entry Project Manager John Clemmensen about how Multi-Energy Portals (MEP) are securing our borders. John discusses how these cargo scanners work and what they detect—everything from narcotics to queso (yes, you read that correctly). He and Dee also touch on S&T’s support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission, reasons why CBP needed this technology, and some recent MEP successes. John also dives into his stints at the Department of Defense and CBP before coming to S&T and being a die-hard Philly sports fan.

Technologically Speaking host Deepak Saini sits down with Silicon Valley Innovation Program Managing Director Melissa Oh to discuss the unique ways S&T engages with the startup community, the vision behind driving innovation in the private sector to benefit the nation’s security, and how being positioned inside Silicon Valley enables her to bridge the private-public sector divide. Hear how Melissa’s career journey was marked by 9/11 and how some of the innovative technologies SVIP is working on directly support the needs of DHS components. Most importantly, learn how SVIP is serving as a model of excellence for other government agencies to create an entry point for startups that might not otherwise consider working with government.

The Technologically Speaking Podcast sits down with Lindsay Gabbert, a microbiologist at the S&T Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). Lindsay and her colleagues at PIADC are on the front lines keeping dangerous animal diseases at bay and away from our farms. She talks about what the greatest threats are and what S&T and PIADC are doing to thwart them. She also shares anecdotes about her time working at PIADC, one of the most interesting and unique labs in the United States, nestled on a small and historic island in the Long Island Sound.

S&T Senior Science Advisor Dr. Laura Parker joins Technologically Speaking’s Brittany Greco for an insightful interview on the science behind explosives detection, the way the technology is used at the airport, and potential advancements for the future that will make the screening process easier. She explains how a career in explosives equipped her with the expertise in chemical detection necessary to help address the fentanyl problem and the scientific nexus between explosives and fentanyl detection.

In this episode, host Brittany Greco sits down with Julie Brewer, S&T’s Deputy Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to discuss all things S&T. During the conversation, Julie talks about S&T’s efforts to support the first responder community, discusses the organization’s new Frontier Campaigns, and goes over S&T’s mission and how the Directorate is able to accomplish it. Julie also shares her unique career journey through S&T, talks about her first project building the National Bio and Agro-Defense building—a $1.2 billion facility in Manhattan, Kansas, and shares why she decided to pursue management and which leadership style resonates with her most.

Season 4 of Technologically Speaking launches Wednesday, August 7! We’re gearing up for another great round of conversations with experts from across the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. Tune in and subscribe today!

In this Tech Speak minisode, we recorded live in Indianapolis, where S&T, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) deployed the DETER hostile vehicle mitigation barrier at this year’s Indy 500 race. DETER (Deployable Expedient Traffic Entry Regulator) is a portable vehicle barrier capable of withstanding a box truck moving at 30 miles per hour. It can also be lowered in a matter of seconds to allow emergency or official vehicles to pass through. Hear from S&T’s Ali Fadel and ERDC’s August Johnson about the need for this type of technology and what’s next.

In this episode of Tech Speak, our podcast team travels to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, as S&T, the Transportation Security Administration, and regional partners introduce a new cutting-edge self-service screening technology to the media. Listen as former Season 2 guest, Dr. John Fortune, and the Transportation Security Administration’s Christina Peach and Karen Burke talk about how the Screening at Speed Program team is working to change the airport screening experience for the traveling public and transportation security officers.

In our special Women’s History Month Tech Speak minisode, S&T Deputy Under Secretary for Science and Technology Julie Brewer and Season 3 guests, LaTasha Thompson and Brannan Villee, offer advice, give their perspectives on science and technology, and talk about how their careers in STEM took off.

Technologically Speaking Host John Verrico, who retires this week after 15 years as S&T’s chief of Media and Community Relations, takes a surprising turn in the hot seat as a guest—talking with co-host Dee Saini about what it takes to make sure audiences know about the great work being accomplished at S&T. The innovation and research happening across the many diverse and varied S&T programs rely on skilled and dedicated media specialists who connect scientists and administrators to the public in a way that resonates and makes sense in their daily lives. 

In this episode, host John Verrico sits down with identity technologies expert Jon Prisby of S&T’s Biometric and Identity Technology Center. Jon touches on the future of digital credentials and discusses how biometrics may influence deep fakes. You’ll hear about the role digital credentials play in our daily lives, learn about how mobile driver’s licenses (a future digital credential) work, and discover why biometrics can be both the solution to deep fakes and also part of the problem. Also: find out why the title’s real estate analogy is used to describe the digital identity space. 

Host John Verrico sits down with Dr. Nick Bergman, director of S&T’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). Dr. Bergman is a bit of a germaphobe, but it’s hard not to be when you run a Biosecurity Level 4 lab that studies pathogens for which no vaccine or treatment exists. Hear an insider’s perspective of the COVID pandemic, find out how NBACC regularly helps the FBI, and meet a guy living a “pretty typical life” of helping save us all from superbugs.

In this episode, host John Verrico sits down with Dr. LaTasha Thompson, Program Director of S&T’s Office of SAFETY Act Implementation. LaTasha breaks down the SAFETY Act for us—explaining its significance, how it works, and even how it could impact you. You’ll learn about the important legal liability protections provided under the SAFETY Act, hear how anti-terrorism technologies are being evaluated and assessed under the Act, and discover some innovative ways lotion and trash cans are being used to protect the nation. You’ll also find out how LaTasha and her team are helping keep stadiums around the country safe and secure from nefarious actors. 

S&T Division Director for Infrastructure and Security Solutions, Brannan Villee, talks about the crucial role S&T plays in protecting our critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure is a lot more than just bridges and dams, it also includes the power grid, the water we drink, our access to 911 in an emergency, and even the internet itself. As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law hits its two-year anniversary, Brannan talks about how this historic funding has helped shape and support the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research Program, the single largest appropriation that S&T has ever received for one program.

S&T Senior Science Advisor for Cybersecurity Donald Coulter talks about the vital role that cybersecurity plays in the safe operation of our digital world and in the design and conception of future products. He shares that the AI revolution is already happening, and it is just a tool, not something to fear. Cybersecurity, he explains, is about preserving the availability and integrity of systems, as well as preserving the confidentiality of the data they contain.

If you’ve heard that familiar emergency alert sound blaring from your phone, you already know a little bit about what’s in store in this episode. Wireless Emergency Alerts are already helping keep people safe from nearby fires and floods; now, S&T is working to pair them with cutting-edge sensors to deliver warnings not just via mobile phones, but also through vehicles’ infotainment centers. We’re bringing you behind the scenes as S&T and FEMA tested the sensors and alerting capabilities this summer at a live demonstration of the Wildland Urban Interface Integration Model in Stafford, Virginia. More than 100 million people live within the wildland urban interface space and are at risk of wildfire—a stat that not many people know. Learn how these alerts are keeping you safe with S&T program manager Norman Speicher; Virginia Department of Emergency Management State Coordinator Shawn Talmadge; and Antwane Johnson, Director, Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems.

C-THRU is a real-time, indoor visualization system that enhances firefighters’ situational awareness in low visibility environments. The technology is an augmented reality heads-up display that attaches to a standard helmet and makes it possible to “see through” dark, dense smoke. S&T and industry partner Qwake Technologies recently field-tested C-THRU with members of the fire service at the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at the end of August—learn more about this exciting technology and find out what the firefighters had to say about it.

In this very special episode of Technologically Speaking, listen as past and present S&T leaders recall the lifechanging impacts of 9/11, discuss how S&T came to be, and reflect on their personal legacies at the Directorate. You’ll hear everything from where they were when the Twin Towers fell and the increasing risk of chemical threats in S&T’s early days to the science and technology battling the COVID-19 pandemic and rise of artificial intelligence today. These eight leaders share their accounts of what it was like to helm a research and development agency in the face of some of the most significant national events of our time. 

The Developmental Test and Evaluation Alarm Resolution team at the Transportation Security Laboratory is using machine learning to verify the effectiveness of newly developed explosives detection solutions. This allows new and improved detection systems to be validated and certified more quickly and efficiently, with the goal of providing safety and security at checkpoints.

Small businesses, particularly startups, provide a wealth of ingenuity and innovation when it comes to developing emerging technologies. Harnessing this is the powerful idea behind S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program, which hosted a Demo Week this spring with 30 startups, venture capitalists, and operational agencies in attendance. In this episode, join us as we talk with startups on the Tech Expo floor at the event—hear about the early days of the program and how these industry partners found success pursuing a nontraditional approach. Government officials and startups agree that tapping into this source of technology development yields major benefits for the greater homeland security enterprise.

In this Tech Speak mini episode, listen to the keynote address S&T Under Secretary Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov delivered at the July 6 commencement ceremony for the Master of Business Administration in Security Technology Transition program at George Washington University, an S&T Center of Excellence. Dr. Kusnezov addressed 26 mid-career federal employees, who not only were the first to complete the program but did it during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Dr. Kusnezov honors the graduates’ accomplishments and congratulates them on their monumental achievements.

The final episode of Technologically Speaking Season Two delves into the world of soft target security with S&T’s Ali Fadel. Host Dee Saini chats with Ali about what a soft target is (hint: check out the episode title), how S&T is collaborating with agencies at every level of government to keep venues and civilians safe, and promising new technologies being used to get the job done—including barriers recently deployed to Kansas City for the 2023 NFL Draft. 

In this episode, host John Verrico chats with S&T’s Robert Klueg from our Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) about how the lab is servicing the existing fleet of screening systems—a key part of the Screening at Speed Program. In part two of our two-part series on the program, John and Robert discuss new technologies that will make the screening process both quick and secure and reflect on the origins of TSL following the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Be sure to listen to part one, “300 People Per Hour Per Lane,” which explains the Screening at Speed program, how it got started and where it’s going in the future. 

Could the future of the airport security line function like the self-checkout process at your local grocery store? Join host John Verrico and S&T Screening at Speed Program Manager Dr. John Fortune as they explore the future of passenger screening. Dr. Fortune and his team are working to improve the traveler experience during this vital process, and you won’t want to miss the discussions about new technologies in development that could make it happen. While this work is not without its challenges, Dr. Fortune and his team are optimistic about the impact they could have on a growing traveling public. 

Technologically Speaking spends some time with Syed Mohammad, lead for the Science and Technology Directorate’s Modeling and Simulation Technology Center.  Host Dee Saini has a fascinating conversation about the creation and accuracy of simulations and how they can be used to train first responders in realistic scenarios, plan large events and the movements of crowds through complex venues, and many other important tasks. Syed also talks about the metaverse—how it’s already here and what you should know about it.

Technologically Speaking spends some time with Shane Cullen, program manager for the Forensics and Criminal Investigations Program at S&T. Like last week’s guest Patty Wolfhope, Shane understands the unquestionable value and importance of S&T’s efforts to catch criminals on the dark web and beyond. In this second installment of our two-part series on digital forensics and child exploitation, Shane discusses the role these tools play in catching the criminals who commit unthinkable acts, as well as other applications of the technologies in investigations. He also delves into the ways artificial intelligence is streamlining the process of sifting through (sometimes disturbing or voluminous) data and how this protects investigators.

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.