Back to Student and Alumni and Researcher Profiles

Students with interdisciplinary skills, advanced degrees needed, says PACER's Dr. Kedar Sambhoos

(Dec. 2007)

Interdisciplinary problem-solving is an oft-repeated mantra at DHS. Dr. Kedar Sambhoos, a research scientist in information fusion at the University of Buffalo embodies that spirit.

Sambhoos investigates the field of Operations Research (OR), an interdisciplinary science that mixes approaches to problem-solving using a scientific method basis.

Specifically, Sambhoos has focused his work on developing biosensor systems that would enable the early detection of chemical or aerosol terrorist attacks.

“Early warning is critical in defense against terrorism,” says Sambhoos. “We try to take a systems approach in deciding the following questions: Where to locate sensors? What sensors to locate? How to configure sensors? When to locate the sensors or extract the data?”

Sambhoos is part of the Center for Multisource Information Fusion (CMIF), a research center that assesses complex situations by combining effectively the core evidence in the massive and diverse data received from multiple sources.

The challenge, says Sambhoos, is crafting the right algorithms to identify patterns in the voluminous amounts of data that respond to the questions above. These patterns will ultimately inform sensor placement and configuration.

Sambhoos is a member of the National Center for the Study of Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Response (PACER). It is one of 10 DHS Centers and research initiatives addressing homeland security from interdisciplinary perspectives.

His work permits him significant interaction with students. He urges students interested in this field to study scientific methods like mathematical modeling, statistics, and algorithms.

“They must have awareness about complex real-world problems which are concerned with coordination and execution of the operations within an organization.”

He urges students to pursue advanced degrees both to aid science, but for personal benefit, as well.

“Not all students look at college as an investment,” says Sambhoos. “Students can garner significant monetary gain and personal satisfaction from earning advanced degrees. Graduating from college and earning advanced degrees translates into much higher lifetime earnings.”