Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Department of Homeland Security Leaders Visit ETEC

PNNL and DHS leaders stand with CEHC faculty at the ETEC atrium.
CEHC Dean Robert Griffin (left) stands with representatives from PNNL and DHS.

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 8, 2023) – The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) hosted close to a dozen representatives from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week.

The full-day visit featured a tour of UAlbany’s ETEC research and development center, the home of CEHC and epicenter of many of the University’s signature research strengths including climate science, emergency preparedness and cybersecurity. It also included discussions with CEHC faculty on topics such as AI, the future of emergency management and opportunities for collaboration.

Last year, CEHC launched a new partnership with PNNL to open new avenues for joint scientific exploration amongst faculty, researchers and students. The partnership offers opportunities to collaborate, share resources and infrastructure.

“Our partnership with PNNL has tremendous potential for research collaboration, curriculum development and experiential learning opportunities for our students,” said CEHC Dean Robert Griffin. “Our college was very excited to welcome PNNL and DHS leaders for a visit to ETEC, as we look to leverage combined strengths to address some of the most pressing issues facing society today.”

Through the UAlbany partnership, PNNL appointees join CEHC on a volunteer basis and are granted faculty designation, allowing them the ability to pursue external funding in conjunction with UAlbany faculty, who are also appointed to PNNL. Appointees collaborate closely in the academic sector as well, connecting with students on internships and other research opportunities.

Terri Merz, a senior research scientist at PNNL, received the first joint appointment at UAlbany in 2022 as a cyber research fellow at CEHC. She holds more than 25 years of cybersecurity experience spanning the areas of systems and cybersecurity engineering, blue/red team testing, and management. 

Griffin joined CEHC after a long career in homeland security at the federal and local levels of government, including at DHS, where he most recently served as the acting under secretary for science and technology. While at DHS, he managed a diverse $1.1 billion dollar portfolio of homeland security research.