At DHS and S&T, we are in a constant search for the security leaders of tomorrow to safeguard our nation from ever changing threats. We look for the best and brightest to join us in our search for solutions to the most complex homeland security challenges, especially at our network of laboratories across the country.
This is the basis of our internship program, and this summer was no exception. Our interns performed extremely important work that will help protect our nation for years to come.
To combat threats to our transit systems interns at the Transportation Security Laboratory in New Jersey focused their work on improving explosives detection capabilities. They also looked at passenger experience, examining ways we can make airport check-ins smoother and quicker without sacrificing safety.
At our National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New York City, students worked with local first responders to streamline their equipment testing process to help them achieve maximum efficiency during a crisis, while also ensuring that citizens are protected in the face of a nuclear event. One of our interns built a system from the ground up to make the testing process easier and more efficient to manage as there’s a lot of information to handle. Rather than their manual approach, she instituted an automated system for our Test and Evaluation group to provide the New York Fire Department for in-the-field performance monitoring.
At Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the Chemical Security Analysis Center deployed its chemical engineering interns to help us continue to improve our chemical defense methods.
Coming from all walks of life, our interns shared a commitment to the S&T mission, and I speak for all of us when I say I’m honored that they chose to spend their summer with us. Our interns join us through the Office of University Programs Homeland Security Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math 10-week internship program. To learn more about their work please visit the DHS Education Programs website.
As this program concludes, we are kicking off another opportunity with higher education. Just last week, we announced Scientific Leadership Awards at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), through which S&T is seeking MSIs to establish programs relevant to the S&T mission and Homeland Security Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math capabilities .