Organization

Perspectives
Fantastic Trip Power Point Presentation

Objectives of ORTA Representatives

National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Established in 1937
NCI leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic and clinical biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.

National Eye Institute (NEI) - Est. 1968
NEI conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision. This research leads to sight-saving treatments, reduces visual impairment and blindness, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages. NEI-supported research has advanced our knowledge of how the eye functions in health and disease.      

 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) - Est. 1948
NHLBI provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. Since October 1997, the NHLBI has also had administrative responsibility for the NIH Woman's Health Initiative. The Institute plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of basic research, clinical investigations and trials, observational studies, and demonstration and education projects.       

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) - Est. 1989
NHGRI supports the NIH component of the Human Genome Project, a worldwide research effort designed to analyze the structure of human DNA and determine the location of the estimated 30,000 to 40,000 human genes. The NHGRI Intramural Research Program develops and implements technology for understanding, diagnosing, and treating genetic diseases.       

National Institute on Aging (NIA) - Est. 1974
NIA leads a national program of research on the biomedical, social, and behavioral aspects of the aging process; the prevention of age-related diseases and disabilities; and the promotion of a better quality of life for all older Americans.          

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) - Est. 1970
NIAAA conducts research focused on improving the treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems to reduce the enormous health, social, and economic consequences of this disease.          

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) - Est. 1948
NIAID research strives to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent the myriad infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases that threaten millions of human lives.  

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) - Est. 1986  NIAMS supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases.        

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) - Est. 2000
NIBIB improves health by promoting fundamental discoveries, design and development, and translation and assessment of technological capabilities in biomedical imaging and bioengineering, enabled by relevant areas of information science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, and computer sciences.          

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) - Est. 1962
NICHD research on fertility, pregnancy, growth, development, and medical rehabilitation strives to ensure that every child is born healthy and wanted and grows up free from disease and disability.     

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) - Est. 1988
NIDCD conducts and supports biomedical research and research training on normal mechanisms as well as diseases and disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language that affect 46 million Americans.            

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) - Est. 1948
NIDCR provides leadership for a national research program designed to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent the infectious and inherited craniofacial-oral-dental diseases and disorders that compromise millions of human lives.           

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) - Est. 1948
NIDDK conducts and supports basic and applied research and provides leadership for a national program in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. Several of these diseases are among the leading causes of disability and death; all seriously affect the quality of life of those who have them.           

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Est. 1973
NIDA leads the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction through support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines and rapid and effective dissemination of results of that research to improve drug abuse and addiction prevention, treatment, and policy.           

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) - Est. 1969
NIEHS reduces the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes by, defining how environmental exposures, genetic susceptibility, and age interact to affect an individual's health.           

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) - Est. 1962
NIGMS supports basic biomedical research that is not targeted to specific diseases. NIGMS funds studies on genes, proteins, and cells, as well as on fundamental processes like communication within and between cells, how our bodies use energy, and how we respond to medicines. The results of this research increase our understanding of life and lay the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS also supports research training programs that produce the next generation of biomedical scientists, and it has special programs to encourage underrepresented minorities to pursue biomedical research careers.          

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Est. 1949
NIMH provides national leadership dedicated to understanding, treating, and preventing mental illnesses through basic research on the brain and behavior, and through clinical, epidemiological, and services research.           

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) - Est. 1950
The mission of the NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological diseases -- a burden borne by every age group, every segment of society, and people all over the world. To accomplish this goal the NINDS supports and conducts research, both basic and clinical, on the normal and diseased nervous system, fosters the training of investigators in the basic and clinical neurosciences, and seeks better understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders.        

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) - Est. 1986
NINR supports clinical and basic research to establish a scientific basis for the care of individuals across the life span--from the management of patients during illness and recovery to the reduction of risks for disease and disability; the promotion of healthy lifestyles; the promotion of quality of life in those with chronic illness; and the care for individuals at the end of life. This research may also include families within a community context, and it also focuses on the special needs of at-risk and under-served populations, with an emphasis on health disparities.          

National Library of Medicine (NLM) - Est. 1956
NLM collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical science information to scientists, health professionals, and the public. The Library's Web-based databases, including PubMed/Medline and MedlinePlus, are used extensively around the world. NLM conducts and supports research in biomedical communications; creates information resources for molecular biology, biotechnology, toxicology, and environmental health; and provides grant and contract support for training, medical library resources, and biomedical informatics and communications research.           

Center for Information Technology (CIT formerly DCRT, OIRM, TCB) - Established in 1964  CIT incorporates the power of modern computers into the biomedical programs and administrative procedures of the NIH by focusing on three primary activities: conducting-computational biosciences research, developing computer systems, and providing computer facilities.                            

Center for Scientific Review (CSR) - Est. 1946
CSR is the focal point at NIH for the conduct of initial peer review, the foundation of the NIH grant and award process. The Center carries out peer review of the majority of research and research training applications submitted to the NIH. In addition, the Center serves as the central receipt point for all such Public Health Service (PHS) applications and makes referrals to scientific review groups for scientific and technical merit review of applications and to funding components for potential award. To this end, the Center develops and implements innovative, flexible ways to conduct referral and review for all aspects of science.                           

John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC) - Est. 1968
FIC promotes and supports scientific research and training internationally to reduce disparities in global health.                            

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) - Est. 1999
NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative medical (CAM) practices in the context of rigorous science; training CAM researchers and disseminating authoritative information.                            

National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) - Est. 1993
The mission of NCMHD is to promote minority health and to lead, coordinate, support, and assess the NIH effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. In this effort NCMHD will conduct and support basic, clinical, social, and behavioral research, promote research infrastructure and training, foster emerging programs, disseminate information, and reach out to minority and other health disparity communities.                            

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) - Est. 1962
NCRR advances biomedical research and improves human health through research projects and shared resources that create, develop, and provide a comprehensive range of human, animal, technological, and other resources. NCRR's support is concentrated in four areas: biomedical technology, clinical research, comparative medicine, and research infrastructure.                            

NIH Clinical Center (CC) - Est. 1953
CC is the clinical research facility of the National Institutes of Health. As a national resource, it provides the patient care, services, and environment needed to initiate and support the highest quality conduct of and training in clinical research.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.

Food & Drug Administration
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research
The mission of CBER is to protect and enhance the public health through the regulation of biological and related products including blood, vaccines, tissue, allergenics and biological therapeutics.

FDA Center for Devices & Radiological Health
CDRH promotes and protects the health of the public by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and the safety of radiological products.

FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
CDER assures that safe and effective drugs are available to the American people.

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
CVM regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals. These include animals from which human foods are derived, as well as food additives and drugs for pet (or companion) animals. CVM is responsible for regulating drugs, devices, and food additives given to, or used on, over one hundred million companion animals, plus millions of poultry, cattle, swine, and minor animal species.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Manufacturing Extension Partnership
MEP is a nationwide network of resources transforming manufacturers to compete globally, supporting greater supply chain integration, and providing access to technology for improved productivity.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation’s economic, social and environmental needs.

National Institute of Standards & Technology
NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

ARMY

Aberdeen Test Center
The Army ATC is a Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB), operating under the guidance of Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 3200.11 and is a national asset with the mission to primarily support DOD test and evaluation (T&E) requirements.  ATC also conducts testing for federal, state and local governments, academia, private industry, and foreign governments.  ATC is the DOD lead test center for automotive testing, manned and unmanned ground vehicles, guns and munitions testing and live fire vulnerability/lethality testing.

Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate
The mission is to transition critical technologies that enhance and sustain Army Aviation as the premiere land force aviation component in the world.

Army Center for Environmental Health Research
The mission of the USACEHR is to plan, direct, and conduct research, development, testing and validation for occupational and environmental health surveillance (OEHS) and environmental health technology in support of Force Health Protection.  Located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, the US Army Center for Environmental Health Research operates in state-of-the-art aquaculture facilities and laboratories specifically designed for aquatic toxicology and molecular biology.

Army Developmental Test Command
The U.S. Army Developmental Test Command (DTC) is the technical tester for the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). DTC is the Army's premier organization for conducting developmental testing of weapons and equipment. With the largest, most diverse array of highly instrumented ranges, test courses and test technologies in the Department of Defense, DTC tests military hardware and software of every description under precise conditions across the full spectrum of arctic, tropical, desert and other natural or controlled environments.

Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
ECBC provides state-of-the-art science, technology and engineering solutions to meet the rapidly changing needs of the warfighter. Located in Edgewood, MD, ECBC offers more than 85 years experience in chemical and biological defense and houses many facilities capable of handling items contaminated with chemical, biological or radiological materials.

Army Medical Research & Materiel Command
The AMRMC mission is to provide medical knowledge and materiel, lifecycle management and execution  that support the Warfighter across the full spectrum of health care missions worldwide.

Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense
The mission is to discover and develop medical countermeasures to chemical warfare agents and to train and educate personnel in the medical management of chemical casualties.

Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
USAMRIID, (Fort Detrick, Maryland) conducts basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions to protect military service members.  USAMRIID, an organization of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. Biological Defense Research Program. The Institute plays a key role as the only laboratory in the Department of Defense (DoD) equipped to safely study highly hazardous infectious agents requiring maximum containment at biosafety level (BSL)-4.

Army Research Laboratory
The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is the Army’s corporate basic and applied research laboratory. Its mission is to provide innovative science, technology, and analysis to enable full-spectrum operations.  ARL consists of the Army Research Office (ARO) and six Directorates-- Weapons and Materials, Sensors and Electron Devices, Human Research and Engineering, Computational and Information Sciences, Vehicle Technology, and Survivability and Lethality Analysis.  The Army relies on this ARL Team for scientific discoveries, technologic advances, and analyses to provide warfighters with capabilities to succeed on the battlefield.

Army Research Institute for Behavioral & Social Sciences
The mission of ARI is to maximize individual and unit performance and readiness to meet the full range of Army operations through advances in the behavioral and social sciences.

Army Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center
TATRC, a subordinate element of the United States Army Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), is charged with managing core Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and congressionally mandated projects in telemedicine and advanced medical technologies.  TATRC also provides short duration, technical support (as directed) to federal and defense agencies; develops, evaluates, and demonstrates new technologies and concepts; and conducts market surveillance with a focus on leveraging emerging technologies in healthcare and healthcare support. Ultimately, TATRC's activities strive to make medical care and services more accessible to soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen; reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of military healthcare.

Army Topographic Engineering Center
TEC's mission is to provide the warfighter with a superior knowledge of the battlefield and to support the nation's civil and environmental initiatives. This mission is accomplished through research, development, and the application of expertise in the topographic and related sciences.

Army Vehicle Technology Directorate
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD) is the principal Army organization for research and development in vehicle propulsion and structures.  VTD conducts innovative research in propulsion, transmission, structures, and aeromechanics to provide the Army with lighter, more reliable, and more fuel-efficient air and ground combat vehicles.  VTD coordinates technologies within the Army, other services and their laboratories, industry, and academia to leverage basic and applied research opportunities for the benefit of the Army.

Army Institute for Water Resources
The Corps Civil Works programs focus on critical aspects of water resources management and planning. These water resources efforts, both holistic and integrative, include coastal storm damage reduction, emergency management , environment flood damage reduction,  hydropower,  navigation—deep draft,  navigation—inland,  recreation,  regulatory, and water supply.

Army Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate
In order to provide the technology transition resulting in superior tactical sensors for tomorrow's warfighter, Night Vision's mission is to: conduct research and development to provide us land forces with advanced sensor technology to dominate the 21st century digital battlefield; acquire and target enemy forces in battlefield environments; detect and neutralize mines, minefields, and unexploded ordnance; develop humanitarian de-mining technology; deny enemy surveillance & acquisition through electro-optic, camouflage, concealment and deception techniques; provide for night driving and pilotage; and protect forward troops, fixed installations and rear echelons from enemy intrusion.

Walter Reed Institute of Research
WRAIR conducts biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers life saving products including knowledge, technology, and medical materiel that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter.

NAVY

Naval Academy
The Naval Academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation. Every day, as the undergraduate college of the naval service, the United States Naval Academy strives to accomplish its mission to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally, and physically.”

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division
This unit exploits technology and intelligence to develop and deliver EOD information, tools, equipment, and their life cycle support, to meet the needs of Joint Service EOD operating forces and other customers.  Its functions include developing EOD procedures to counter munitions threats, developing tools and equipment to meet EOD operational needs, performing in-service engineering for EOD tools and equipment, and performing depot level management and repair for EOD tools and equipment.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) is the Navy's facilities engineering professionals committed to Navy and Marine Corps combat readiness. It is a global organization that is Fleet focused, innovative, a surge enabler, ever faster and committed to continuous cost reduction.

Navy Health Research Center
The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) is a strategically positioned forward Bureau of Medicine and Surgery laboratory, which supports fleet operational readiness through research, development, test, and evaluation on the biomedical and psychological aspects of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth
Provides force health protection through quality healthcare for beneficiaries and through education and training for the staff.

Naval Medical Research Center
This is a premier research organization committed to enhancing, promoting and applying basic and applied biomedical research in the areas of infectious diseases, biological defense, combat casualty care, bone marrow, and diving and environmental medicine.

Naval Observatory
The mission includes determining the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects, providing astronomical data; determining precise time; measuring the Earth's rotation; and maintaining the Master Clock for the United States.

Naval Safety Center
The Center focuses reduction programs on all types of mishaps.

NSWC Naval Ship Systems Engineering Center – Carderock
As a major component of the Naval Sea Systems Command the Carderock Division provides cradle-to-grave support for its technical products over an enormous range of scientific areas related to surface and undersea platforms. The Division addresses the full spectrum of applied maritime science and technology, from the theoretical and conceptual beginnings, through design and acquisition, to implementation and follow-on engineering. This includes all technical aspects of improving the performance of ships, submarines, military water craft, and unmanned vehicles, as well as research for military logistics systems.

Naval Space Command
NAVSPACECOM manages naval space activities and operates space systems while focusing on warfighter support. In addition, it leverages National, DoD and civil space resources to guarantee that the naval warfighter gets the maximum utility out of space-based resources.

Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory
The laboratory's mission is to protect the health and enhance the performance of our War Fighters through focused submarine, diving, and surface research solutions.

Naval Research Laboratory
NRL conducts a broadly-based multidisciplinary program of scientific research and advanced technological development directed toward maritime applications of new and improved materials, techniques, equipment, systems, and ocean, atmospheric, and space sciences and related technologies.

Naval Surface Warfare Center – Dahlgren
NSWCDD is one of the U. S. Navy's principal research, development, and test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support activities for surface warfare, surface ship combat systems, ordnance, strategic systems, amphibious warfare, mines and mine countermeasures, and amphibious and special warfare systems. The Division conducts analysis, systems engineering, research, test, evaluation, and integration of important naval and joint warfare systems.

Naval Surface Warfare Center – Indian Head
Provide primary technical capability in Energetics for all Warfare Centers through engineering, fleet and operational support, manufacturing technology, limited production, industrial base support, and secondary technical capability through research, development, test and evaluation for energetic materials, ordnance devices and components, and related ordnance engineering standards to include chemicals, propellants and their propulsion systems, explosives, pyrotechnics, warheads, and simulators. Provide support including special weapons support, explosive safety and ordnance environmental support to all warfare centers, military departments and the ordnance industry.

Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through schools, universities, government laboratories, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. It provides technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy and works with industry to improve technology manufacturing processes.

OTHER DOD

Air Force Office of Scientific Research
AFOSR continues to expand the horizon of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force’s basic research program. As a vital component of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFOSR’s mission is to support Air Force goals of control and maximum utilization of air and space.

AFOSR accomplishes its mission by investing in basic research efforts for the Air Force in relevant scientific areas. Central to AFOSR’s strategy is the transfer of the fruits of basic research to industry, the supplier of Air Force acquisitions; to the academic community which can lead the way to still more accomplishment; and to the other directorates of AFRL that carry the responsibility for applied and development research leading to acquisition.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 
is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.

Defense Information Systems Agency
The Defense Information Systems Agency is a combat support agency responsible for planning, engineering, acquiring, fielding, and supporting global net-centric solutions to serve the needs of the President, Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, and other DoD Components, under all conditions of peace and war.  The designated core missions of DISA are communications, joint command and control, defensive information operations, combat support computing, and joint interoperability support.

Defense Technical Information Center
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC^®) is the premier provider of DoD technical information. DTIC serves as a vital link in the transfer of information among DoD personnel, DoD contractors and potential contractors and other U.S. Government agency personnel and their contractors.

Missile Defense Agency
The Missile Defense Agency's mission is to develop, test and prepare for deployment a missile defense system. Using complementary interceptors, land-, sea-, air- and space-based sensors, and battle management command and control systems, the planned missile defense system will be able to engage all classes and ranges of ballistic missile threats.

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
A major combat support agency of the Department of Defense and a member of the Intelligence Community, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency provides timely, relevant and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence and geospatial information in support of national security objectives 

National Security Agency

The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is America’s cryptologic organization. It coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. government information systems and produce foreign signals intelligence information. A high technology organization, NSA is on the frontiers of communications and data processing. It is also one of the most important centers of foreign language analysis and research within the government.

Office of the Secretary of Defense Office of Technology Transition

This is the coordinating office for all of the DOD Technology Transition programs

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

This is the nation's federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. The university is a unique center of learning that produces the physician and nurse leaders who maintain the health of our country's fighting forces.
 Its mission is to provide continuity and leadership while ensuring medical readiness and continuing education for the Military Health System.

ENERGY

DOE Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs (PI) is the primary policy advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary on domestic and international policy analysis, development, evaluation, and implementation. PI provides Departmental leadership strategies to implement the National Energy Policy. PI represents the Department and the United States Government in interagency processes, intergovernmental forums, and bilateral and multilateral proceedings that address matters relating to the development and implementation of national and international energy policies, strategies and objectives.

National Energy Technology Laboratory

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of DOE’s national laboratory system, is owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). NETL supports DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.

The only U.S. national laboratory devoted to fossil energy research, NETL implements a broad spectrum of energy and environmental research and development (R&D) programs.

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

As a user facility for scientists worldwide, this facility’s primary mission is to conduct basic research of the atom's nucleus at the quark level.  With industry and university partners, it has a derivative mission as well: applied research for using the Free-Electron Lasers based on technology the laboratory developed to conduct its physics experiments. As a center for both basic and applied research, Jefferson Lab also reaches out to help educate the next generation in science and technology.

EPA

National Center for Environmental Research

NCER's mission is to support high-quality research by the nation's leading scientists that will improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its goals. NCER, as a part of EPA's Office of Research and Development, supports leading edge extramural research in exposure, effects, risk assessment, and risk management. Learn More About NCER's Mission 

Environmental Science Center, Philadelphia

At the Environmental Science Center, EPA scientists conduct tests on soil, air and water samples to determine the presence of pollutants and other contaminants. EPA microbiologists test drinking water to ensure its safety. Hospital disinfectants are tested to ensure the validity of their claims and chemists develop the analytical methods necessary to monitor pesticide residues in food. Science center staff also inspects and investigate manufacturing facilities, hazardous waste sites, and public and private labs.

Analytical Chemistry Lab, Fort Meade 

The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (ACL), under the Office of Pesticide Programs, provides scientific, laboratory, and technical support through chemical analyses of pesticides and related chemicals.

Microarray Research Lab, Fort Meade

The Microarray Research Laboratory is a new facility founded in 2003 by the Office of Pesticide Program's (OPP) to conduct groundbreaking research in the genotoxicity of antimicrobials.

Location: EPA's Environmental Science Center at Fort Meade, Maryland

The Microarray Research Laboratory employs DNA microarray or Gene-chips ®, a newly-developing technology and method, to identify toxicogenotoxic effects of various disinfectants on bacterial cell response.

National Center for Environmental Assessment

 EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment, NCEA, provides guidance and risk assessments aimed at protecting human health and the environment. This guidance presents critical analyses and summaries of scientific consensus, vetted through a rigorous peer review process, on the risks of pollutants to human health and the natural environment.

EPA Office of Science and Technology

OST works with partners and stakeholders to develop the scientific and technological foundations to achieve clean water. OST develops tools, methods, information, criteria, and policies to protect water quality, human health, and healthy ecosystems.  The Office of Science and Technology (OST) is responsible for developing sound, scientifically defensible standards, criteria, advisories, guidelines, limitations and standards guidelines under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Homeland Security 

Homeland Security harnesses our nation’s scientific and technological resources to provide Federal, state, and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland.  One area of focus for the Department is catastrophic terrorism—threats to the security of our homeland that could result in large-scale loss of life and major economic impact.  Research is designed to counter threats to the homeland, both by evolutionary improvements to current capabilities and development of revolutionary, new capabilities.

INTERIOR

U.S. Geological Survey

The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. 

LABOR 

Mines, Safety and Health Administration

The mission of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is to administer the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and to enforce compliance with mandatory safety and health standards as a means to eliminate fatal accidents; to reduce the frequency and severity of nonfatal accidents; to minimize health hazards; and to promote improved safety and health conditions in the Nation's mines.

NASA

Goddard Space Flight Center

The mission of the Goddard Space Flight Center is to expand knowledge of the Earth and its environment, the solar system and the universe through observations from space.

NASA Innovative Partnerships Program

The programs and initiatives directed by the NASA IPP foster technology partnerships, commercialization and innovation in support of NASA's overall mission and national priorities.

Langley Research Center

Langley's mission and contributions to aerospace, atmospheric sciences and technology commercialization are improving the way the world lives.  More than half of NASA Langley's research is in aeronautics, focusing on improving today's military and civilian aircraft, while designing tomorrow's jets. Not only does Langley develop Airframe Systems, scientists also examine the layers of air planes and spacecraft fly through in Atmospheric Sciences.  Researchers have expanded their studies into other atmospheres, the kind spacecraft will find on distant planets. Langley leads NASA initiatives in aviation safety, quiet aircraft technology, small aircraft transportation and aerospace vehicles system technology. It supports NASA space programs with atmospheric research and technology testing and development.

NSF

Data Storage Center

The Data Storage Systems Center (DSSC) is an interdisciplinary research and educational organization where faculty, students and researchers from a broad swath of academic disciplines collaborate in pioneering theory and experimental research that will lead to the next generation of information storage technology.

Institute for Systems Research

 At the heart of ISR's research agenda is a drive to advance and exploit fundamental methodological tools for solving systems engineering problems, including intelligent control; modeling and optimization; communications and signal processing; computing; operations research; human factors; reliability and risk assessment; and systems integration. These systems tools form the foundation for ISR's collaborative research and teaching.

Large Structural Systems Center

The Center focuses on the full life-cycle of structural systems and materials for the infrastructure, including, for example, developing new systems and materials, assessing the condition of existing systems and materials, developing technology for assessing conditions (e.g., non-destructive evaluation and monitoring technology), understanding system and material failures, and developing technology for repairing and retrofitting existing systems.

OTHER

Central Intelligence Agency

In-Q-Tel was established in 1999 as an independent, private, not-for-profit company to help the CIA and the greater US Intelligence Community (IC) to identify, acquire, and deploy cutting-edge technologies. In-Q-Tel's mission is to deliver leading-edge capabilities to the CIA and the IC by investing in the development of promising technologies.

Department of Labor

The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements.

Department of Justice

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.           

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

Department of Education

ED's mission is to strengthen the Federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual; supplement and complement the efforts of states and others to improve the quality of education; encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs; promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through Federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information; improve the coordination of Federal education programs; improve the management of Federal education activities; and increase accountability.

Veterans Affairs R&D

The VA goal is to provide excellence in patient care, veterans' benefits and customer satisfaction.  R&D and technology transfer/insertion is focused on these goals.

 TRANSPORTATION

 Department of Transportation

 The mission of DOT is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

 Highway Research

 The mission of the Highway Research Administration is to enhance mobility on the highways through innovation, leadership, and public service.  Focus is on safety, mobility & productivity, global connectivity, the environment and security.

 USDA

 ARS Beltsville

 ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination through programs in the Plant Sciences Institute, the Animal and Natural Resources Institute, the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, and the US National Arboretum.

 ARS Eastern Regional Research Center

 The mission of ERRC is to develop fundamental knowledge and technology beneficial to the producers of agricultural commodities, handlers and processors of food and industrial products, Federal action and regulatory agencies and the consumer. The six Research Units of ERRC conduct research on agricultural commodities including meat, poultry, cheese, milk, hides, leather, wool, fats, oils, grains, fruits, vegetables and juices to develop new, high value food and industrial products and cost efficient processing technologies; ensure microbial and chemical safety of foods; enhance the nutrient quality of foods; decrease the cost of fuel-ethanol and biodiesel from agricultural feed stocks; and utilize by-products, particularly potential pollutants.

 Forestry Service

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.