The University of Nebraska has been named one of four finalists for a university-based Department of Homeland Security (DHS) research center related to the economic consequences of terrorism.
Seventy-two universities originally submitted white papers to be considered for the DHS Center of Excellence for Risk Analysis and Modeling Related to the Economic Consequences of Terrorism. The University of Nebraska was among 12 universities asked to submit a complete written proposal about a month ago. The University of Nebraska’s proposal was coordinated by the University of Nebraska Center for Biosecurity, which is located at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“The university is a national leader in bioterrorism preparedness,” said University of Nebraska President L. Dennis Smith, Ph.D. “This is just another example of that leadership.”
“We’re very excited to participate in the final four,” UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said. “UNMC and the University of Nebraska Center for Biosecurity are top notch, and we’re grateful to be recognized among the best prepared to serve the nation. This is truly a university-wide effort.”
Steven Hinrichs, M.D., is the director of the NU Center for Biosecurity. That center coordinates all of the bioterrorism-related efforts on the University of Nebraska’s four campuses. The proposed project would be housed at the University of Nebraska’s Peter Kiewit Institute, located at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s south campus, under principal investigator Gerald Wagner, Ph.D., distinguished research fellow, UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology at The Peter Kiewit Institute. Dr. Wagner is the director of PKI’s International Academy for Advanced Decision Support (IAADS).
If successful, the University of Nebraska center would develop alternative strategies that would minimize the economic impact of terrorist attacks on the transportation, energy, finance and supply distribution infrastructure of the United States.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to apply our world-class technology to a problem that is facing our country,” Dr. Wagner said. “We expect that combining the best minds in decision support with those in multimedia technology and data visualization will provide the best possible information for decision makers to evaluate alternative solutions and rehearse alternative futures.”
DHS representatives will visit NU in early November. They expect to name a center by the end of November. The full proposals outlined funding for a center at $4 million annually for three years.
“Dr. Wagner and the College of Information Science and Technology have been instrumental in developing decision support programs to serve a variety of constituencies,” said Nancy Belck, Ph.D., chancellor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “We’re pleased that they are taking a lead in the proposed project.”
U.S. Congressional officials and Gov. Mike Johanns were delighted that Nebraska had been named a finalist for the DHS center.
“When this process began, the University of Nebraska was one of 72 universities competing; now the university is one of the four finalists,” Sen. Chuck Hagel said. “That alone speaks to the quality of research and leadership at this institution. Nebraska is very proud of the University of Nebraska. The Nebraska Congressional Delegation will continue to do all it can to support the university’s efforts.”
“Now that Nebraska has made it to the final four, this visit will give Homeland Security officials the opportunity to see firsthand the first class facility we have in Nebraska,” said Sen. Ben Nelson. “The work being done in Nebraska is world class and has already been deservedly recognized through their selection as a finalist for the very prestigious honor of being the Center of Excellence. I am confident that the visit will leave no doubts as to the excellent system and staff the University of Nebraska has put together and the great job they can do for the security of our country. ”
Said Gov. Mike Johanns, “Today’s announcement is a real credit to the leadership and vision at UNMC. It’s an honor to be in the final four, and we’ll certainly continue to work together to bring the project to Nebraska.”
Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman said, “It’s an outstanding achievement on the part of UNMC to make the final four. This designation strengthens the Med Center’s national reputation, which grows every day.”
U.S. Rep. Lee Terry said having UNMC’s expertise involved in terrorist response is “something that can benefit the entire nation, not simply Omaha or the state of Nebraska.”
“UNMC has brought together talented teams of researchers and scientists, and all of Nebraska should be proud of their efforts,” Terry said. “This is for future generations of all Americans, not just Nebraskans. In today’s day and age, the economic impact of a terrorist attack is not something we can afford to take lightly.”
“The University of Nebraska has already assumed a leadership role in helping our nation meet the critical challenges of the 21st century,” U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter said. “As the proposed home of this research center, the University could build on its past successes, and, working with the State’s transportation, energy and financial sectors, make important contributions in our efforts to meet the unique challenges posed by terrorism.”
“I am very pleased to see the collaborative efforts of the University of Nebraska System be recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a finalist for a university-based research center,” said Rep. Tom Osborne. “I commend the hard work and cooperation among campuses that has been critical to the development of this world-class proposal.”
Dr. Hinrichs said the university is excited to be named a finalist. The DHS team that participates in the site visit will see and hear firsthand the expertise and collaborative nature of Nebraska’s efforts.
“Nebraska’s proposal incorporates not only academic researchers, but also incorporates state government leaders and highly capable expertise from the private sector,” Dr. Hinrichs said. Dr. Hinrichs noted that the proposal is among many grants and designations that the university is vying for, in relation to bioterrorism preparedness.
The high level of cooperation between academia, state government and the private sector is unique to Nebraska’s success, Dr. Hinrichs said. The university collaborators on the DHS proposal include the IAADS at The Peter Kiewit Institute; the Transportation Safety and Engineering group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; the Aviation Institute at the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and the State of Nebraska Homeland Security Policy Group. Federal groups include Offutt Air Force Base and StratCom.
Businesses included in the proposal represent three general areas: transportation, energy and finance. Those businesses include:
- Transportation – Union Pacific Railroad Corp., Crete Carrier Corp., Werner Enterprises Inc., and the Omaha Airport Authority. These businesses employ state-of-the-art information tracking systems, knowing the location and load of a specific truck or railcar throughout the country, Dr. Hinrichs said.
- Energy – the Omaha Public Power District, Tenaska Inc., and Mid-American Energy Holdings Co. These companies are experts in disaster preparedness, including the economic impact of an interruption of energy, Dr. Hinrichs said.
- Finance – First National Nebraska Holding Co., Wells Fargo Inc., and Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. The businesses have expertise in risk assessment, evaluating the impact of risk in a bioterrorism-related event.