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Russell W. Bessette, M.D., Executive Director
New York State Office of Science Technology & Academic Research (NYSTAR)

On behalf of Governor Pataki I would like to thank you for inviting me to make a few remarks at this important event.

A critical element of NYSTAR's mission is the recognition that New York's world-class public and private research universities and academic centers are powerful economic development engines that can create new high-tech jobs and opportunity for New Yorkers.

How we get there will be by having smart people, with the right equipment, focusing on the needs of technology. That potent combination will drive development and subsequent commercialization of new technology.

Governor Pataki has made an unprecedented effort to keep our State at the forefront of research and to maintain our national leadership. Through his continuing push, the Governor has offered a comprehensive job creation and economic growth agenda to help achieve New York's goal of creating one million new jobs by the end of the decade.

The technology and innovation funded by NYSTAR covers a wide range of scientific disciplines and industries, including homeland security.

NYSTAR is very proud of the major role it is playing in identifying and funding promising technologies that will improve our homeland security.

For example:

Researchers at the City University of New York are investigating the use of terahertz beams to detect hidden objects and diagnose biological organisms and working on ways to create network architecture for wireless sensors used on the battlefield and in surveillance networks.

Scientists at Columbia University are developing an ultra-sophisticated detection system of chemical elements known to be components of explosives for use in baggage handling.

Researchers at Polytechnic University are investigating ways to reconstruct documents and images that have been destroyed or deleted by computer manipulation.

At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists are modifying miniature cameras for crowd surveillance in airports and other gathering places. Images transmitted back to central command site and they are developing micro devices and systems that could be used in homeland security.

At Rochester Institute of Technology researchers are exploring the use of biophotonic sensors for detection and interdiction of harmful pathogens and bio-warfare agents. In addition, they are investigating spectral signatures for automatic target recognition and creating compact photonic devices that could sense biological and chemical contamination.

At the University of Rochester scientists are developing software to be used in surveillance cameras that aid in identifying contraband items in crowded areas such as guns or other weapons.

By using state-of-the art robotic technology, scientists at the Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems are making new inroads that could have major implications on a national level, from utilities to homeland security.

A piece of that technology - a Remote Underwater Sampling Station (RUSS) robot -was launched recently in Otisco Lake.

The robots - which remain in the water from April through October - use buoys with solar-powered systems and computer-controlled sensors that move vertically through the water to collect near real-time information every 10 minutes on temperature, oxygen, turbidity (suspension of materials), light and salt content. The data, which are transmitted to a Web site through cellular phone lines, enables researchers to better understand the dynamics of environmental systems at work and to assess whether the water is suitable for aquatic life, recreation and drinking.

Meanwhile, NYSTAR plays a significant role in funding research in cyber-security, computer security, wireless security and digital forensics at Syracuse University, all of which has significant applications here.

It has been only two years since Governor Pataki announced a $4.5 million State grant to help create the Griffiss Institute for Information Assurance, and it is impressive what the Institute has accomplished in such a short time.

The more than 60 academic partners with the Griffiss Institute represents the absolute cream-of-the-scientific crop, and include many researchers who I know personally, including Jessica Fridrich, an expert in steganography, Shiv Panwar, an expert in wireless networks, Tom Triscari, a systems and engineering management guru, and of course, Shiu-Kai Chin, an expert in very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits and software.

The Institute has established Rome as a national center of research and economic development in the field of information security - bringing new high-tech jobs and private sector investment to the Mohawk Valley.

The Institute's linkage to AFRL Rome Research, government, academia and a wide range of small and large technology companies will strengthen the Mohawk Valley's high technology economy and create new high-paying job opportunities.

And it has been only three years since NYSTAR awarded a $2.1 million grant to create the Syracuse University Prototypical Research in Information Assurance (SUPRIA) to explore cutting-edge technology to protect the vast amounts of information that travel electronically, over the Internet, wireless channels and other media.

SUPRIA engages the expertise of the Center for System Assurance, an existing research center within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Utica College's Economic Crime Investigation Institute and Computer Forensics Research and Development Center (CFRDC), New York companies engaged in information assurance, and the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

As a result of the Governor and Legislature's economic development initiatives enacted since 1995, New York State has taken the lead in developing partnerships and collaborations to create new jobs and new companies.

I wish you a productive and meaningful conference. I am confident that the discussion you will have today will lead to new ideas and new partnerships that will enhance the homeland security and the economic growth of New York State.

Thank you.

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