Jacobson Named Finalist for Homeland Security Award

12/8/2010

CS Prof receives award for work on aviation security system

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University of Illinois computer science professor Sheldon Jacobson has been named a finalist in the 2010 Homeland Security Awards.  Professor Jacobson has been named a semifinalist in this national award competition three times prior and now his work in aviation security system design and analysis has landed him a finalist spot.

Illinois computer science professor Sheldon Jacobson
Illinois computer science professor Sheldon Jacobson
Illinois computer science professor Sheldon Jacobson

Throughout his work, Professor Jacobson has sought to identify and analyze new paradigms for aviation security system deployments and operations using operations research models and analysis.

Operations research provides a unique set of methodologies and tools for designing and analyzing aviation security systems, since the foundation of operations research is based on applying analytical methods to optimally allocate and use scarce assets in making better-informed decisions.

“Our research activities focuses on identifying new approaches to use and allocate security resources that can lead to higher levels of security with minimal inconvenience to passengers. By the very nature of aviation security, the objective is to find a small number of terrorist ‘needles’ in a large and growing ‘haystack’ of travelers,” said Jacobson.

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, has partnered with AgustaWestland North America, Inc., to present four 2010 $25,000 Homeland Security Awards. The mission of the awards is to promote and encourage “cutting edge” innovation in the vast arena of homeland security, including but not limited to the detection, prevention, or response to threats to the United States.

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees selects the semifinalists from among the Homeland Security Awards nominations received. The semifinalists are sent for ranking to a national Evaluation Committee composed of prominent individuals representing diverse fields of human endeavor. The Foundation’s Board and AgustaWestland ultimately select the Homeland Security Awards Columbus Scholars.


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This story was published December 8, 2010.