Participating Lab: Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

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.

Lab Address:
Ft. Belvoir, VA; Albuquerque, NM

Lab Website:
http://www.dtra.mil

Relevant Disciplines

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Cyber Security
  • Data Analysis
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Systems Specialist
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Physics
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Engineering

Research Opportunities Available

Click on a research opportunity to see details.

DTRA-001

Understanding Human Resilience and Survival Dynamics Post-Blast: A Multiscale Modeling Framework

Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Belvoir, VA

Research Opportunity Description:
"Join Us in Safeguarding the Nation! A nuclear detonation is a cataclysmic event that unleashes blinding and burning light, ionizing radiation, and a pressure wave that can topple buildings. What happens to a person in this situation? How can they survive? Can they continue to fight? We develop models to calculate the effect of these insults on a human body. Join us to help build these models and better protect and prepare the US and its allies. Research Opportunities: 1.Eye Damage he light emitted from a nuclear detonation can temporarily blind a person and burn a person’s retinas. Choose one of flash blindness or retinal scarring and research the mechanism of this injury and the probability of it occurring. 2.Age and Sex Injury Dependence Probability of injury from a nuclear detonation are dependent on age and sex of the individual. Choose an injury and research that dependence. 3.Flash Burns in an Urban Setting Flash burns are a far-reaching injury from a nuclear detonation. How does being in a building or a vehicle effect a flash burn’s severity? Choose a vehicle or structure and research how this impacts the burn’s severity. 4.Orthogonal Polynomial Our models are getting increasing complex and end up taking too long to calculate. We are interested to see if the computational time could be decreased if we approximate the function as an orthogonal polynomial. Choose a couple of our models and test to see if a polynomial expansion such as polynomial chaos expansion can improve our methods. 5.Counter Measures Counter measures are used to help radiation victims overcome their injuries. Choose a popular counter measure and research its effects on biomolecules. 6.Psychology Effects on Performance Decrement We often look at how a person can continue to fight with an injury, but what effect does fear or stress have on a person’s performance. Study the current knowledge base to develop an idea of the psychological effects on performance. 7.Inhalation Damage from Fire Smoke from fires is a threat to survivors and first responders. Research how smoke can harm the lungs and cause injuries. By participating in this research, you'll gain hands-on experience while addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation today. Join us in our mission to enhance national security and make a difference in the world! "

Research Opportunity Skill Set:

Candidates with a strong background in mathematical modelling and data analysis with a strong background in biology, neuroscience, physics, mathematics and applied mathematics, computer science, civil/biomedical/nuclear/aerospace engineering and a foundational understanding of mathematical modelling and data analysis.

DTRA-004

National Security analysis of chemical and biological threats

Research Opportunity Location:
Laurel, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
National Security analysis of chemical and biological threats focused on national security analysis concerning chemical and biological threats. This internship offers a unique opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the field of security studies, public health, and threat mitigation.

Research Opportunity Skill Set:

STEM background, basic computer skills