(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced that the University of Rhode Island has been chosen by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate as a national Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation, and Response.  URI will be the Center’s co-lead for Education, while Northeastern University in Boston will be co-lead for Research.  The University was selected through a highly competitive grant process.
 
“This is tremendous news for the University of Rhode Island, and for our entire state,” said Langevin, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology.  “This recognition of URI’s status as a premiere education and research institution is well-deserved, and this new Center of Excellence will be an asset to the whole country.”
 
URI Professor of Chemistry Jimmie Oxley, an internationally renowned researcher, said, “This grant from Homeland Security recognizes URI’s leading research and outreach in explosives, energetic materials and pyrotechnics and its ability to partner with other institutions doing work in these areas. Our team is pleased to be working with Northeastern University to further science and education in these fields.
 
“As the lead education institution, we hope to involve undergraduate students, graduate students and those enrolled in certificate programs. This vote of confidence from Homeland Security is consistent with extensive work we have done for other federal agencies and authorities in England and Israel in the battle against terrorism,” added Professor Oxley.
 
The Center of Excellence (COE) will be funded at approximately $4 million per year over a period of four to six years. URI will receive up to $2 million per year to develop and manage the COE’s education programs, which may include undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.  URI may also participate in the COE’s research component in conjunction with efforts at Northeastern. Further details on funding and projects will be developed as URI engages in further discussions with the Department of Homeland Security.
According to DHS, the Center will conduct research to evaluate the risks, costs and consequences of terrorism, and develop decision-support technologies, tools and advanced methods tools to protect the nation.  Its primary focus will be to detect leave-behind Improvised Explosive Devices; enhance aviation cargo security; provide next-generation baggage screening; detect liquid explosives; and enhance suspicious passenger identification.

“We congratulate and look forward to working with the University of Rhode Island as co-lead, with Northeastern University, of the new DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response.  Dr. Oxley and her team have demonstrated impressive expertise and commitment in this critical area of science and technology,” said Dr. Matthew Clark, Director of University Programs at the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.   

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