Participating Labs by Discipline: Biology

AFRL’s Munitions Directorate (RW) is responsible for developing superior weapons technologies that are effective and affordable for our warfighter. We are committed to providing the technologies that will enable our warfighters to win in all domains, and we are actively looking at new technologies to stay ahead in a rapidly advancing tech driven world. We value our partnerships with industry, academia, and government partners, as we continue to transition important technologies to the warfighter that help build a more lethal and ready Air Force and Space Force.

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate develops materials, processes, and advanced manufacturing technologies for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and ground-based systems and their structural, electronic and optical components. Air Force product centers, logistic centers, and operating commands rely on the directorate’s expertise in materials, nondestructive inspection, systems support, and advanced manufacturing methods to solve system, expeditionary deployment, and operational challenges.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to Deter strategic attacks against the United States and its allies; Prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and Prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict. DTRA’s core functions contain many enduring tasks and responsibilities as well as new efforts and initiatives to account for rapidly evolving technological and operational challenges. In all cases, the Agency adapts to address these issues more effectively by performing basic and applied research, exploratory development, and cybersecurity to meet our nation’s most critical science and technology needs. Scholars at DTRA can look forward to working within their Sponsoring Directorate applying their knowledge, experiences, skills, and talents to contribute to the missions of countering and deterring WMD and emerging threats.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), as an integral part of the Army Futures Command, is the U.S Army’s foundational research laboratory that has the mission of operationalizing science. The DEVCOM ARL mission essential task of foundational research has the objective to conduct research and reconnaissance to inform future Army science, technology, and engineering and invest in areas that ensure overmatch. DEVCOM ARL executes research in 11 competencies that provide the Army foundational expertise and specialized capabilities grounded in scientific excellence and driven by unique Army challenges. These competencies are: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences; Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences; Energy Sciences, Humans in Complex Systems; Mechanical Sciences; Military Information Sciences; Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences; Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences; Sciences of Extreme Materials; Terminal Effects; and Weapons Sciences.

We are the nation’s principal research and development resource for non-medical chem-bio (CB) defense.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) is a team of world-class scientists, engineers, analysts, technicians, and support staff who are fully focused on empowering America’s Soldiers today and in the future. We leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum effects, autonomy, robotics, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to see, sense, decide, and act faster than their adversaries. Located in Natick, MA, and Orlando, FL, DEVCOM Soldier Center is the science behind the Soldier.

NAWCAD is the Navy’s largest warfare center with a diverse force of military, civilians and contractors building the navy of today, the navy of tomorrow and the navy after next. The acquisition and sustainment of capability is a weapon of war -NAWCAD delivers! NAWCAD is where naval aviation takes flight through research, development, test and evaluation of both fielded and not-yet fielded naval platforms and technologies that ensure America’s Sailors and Marines always go into conflict with significant advantage.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center helps solve our nation’s most challenging problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. Our vision is to become the world’s premier public engineering and environmental sciences research and development organization. As one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world, ERDC conducts research and development in support of the Soldier, military installations, and the Corps of Engineers’ civil works mission, as well as for other federal agencies, state and municipal authorities, and with U.S. industries through innovative work agreements. ERDC operates more than $1 billion in world class facilities at seven labs located in four states with more than 2,600 employees to administer an annual research program exceeding $2 billion.

The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research is the Army’s premier research organization focused exclusively on the combat wounded and is the home of the only Burn Center in the Department of Defense. The USAISR conducts requirements-driven, programmatic research to develop knowledge and material products that drive evidence-based, best clinical practice solutions and deliver advanced technologies for the Warfighter. All are designed to facilitate more effective combat casualty care. Laboratory research is conducted in the areas of 1) blood and shock resuscitation, 2) hemorrhage and vascular dysfunction, 3) organ support and automation technology, 4) combat wound care, and 5) pain and sensory trauma.

MRDC executes and supports a variety of STEM programs designed to give students in underrepresented areas an opportunity to get hands on learning in areas they would not otherwise get a chance to see.