FIU researchers visit D.C. to advance defense research priorities

As Congress reconvened from its holiday recess, FIU faculty members visited to educate and advocate policy makers on how FIU research is providing national defense solutions, helping our veterans and working on transportation solutions for South Florida.

Kenneth Furton, dean of the College Arts & Sciences; Joe Leigh Simpson, M.D., executive associate dean of the Wertheim College of Medicine; Ranu Jung, chair of Biomedical Engineering;  and Jose Almirall, director of the International Forensics Research Institute held a briefing for Congressional staffers from the Florida Delegation and the Armed Services Committee about their defense-related initiatives. These cutting-edge solutions being worked on at FIU include biosensors to detect unknown toxicants in theatre, ground-breaking neuro-prosthetic technologies, and evolving military forensic capabilities.

In addition, the group met with senior officials from the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to further awareness of their work. Furton and Almirall were also able to meet with staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee to support legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Leahy of Vermont advancing standards in forensic sciences. As one of only four research universities with a robust research portfolio in forensics, the Senate staff found their insight valuable and asked for further formal commentary from FIU.

Finally, Washington, D.C., alums participated in a Meet and Greet with Jung, who gave a small presentation on her patent-pending technology which includes neural-enabled, prosthetic designs that can help amputees become mobile and restore the sensation of touch.

Earlier this month, Vice President Steve Sauls visited to promote FIU’s collaborative transportation initiatives with the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. FIU expects to compete in an upcoming round of Transportation Innovation grants (TIGER) that would enable greater connectivity to the City of Sweetwater and position FIU as a major connecting point for transit options in South Florida.

For more information on our efforts in Washington, D.C., contact Federal Relations at 202-600-4562. Tor details regarding FIU’s Federal Priorities, visit our priorities page.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.