Where: Morgam State University, Baltimore, MD

When: June 2 - 8, 2013

About Reconnect:

This CCICADA Summer Reconnect Workshop exposes faculty teaching undergraduates to the role of the mathematical sciences in homeland security and provides an opportunity to researchers in government or industry to learn about recent techniques in data analytics. Topics are presented in a weeklong series of lectures and activities; participants are involved in both research activities and in writing materials useful in the classroom or to share with their colleagues. Participants may develop materials for publication in either the CCICADA Technical Reports or the Educational Modules Series published by the DIMACS Center at Rutgers University.

About the Topic:

The water distribution system, which is a critical component of assuring safe drinking water, constitutes a significant management challenge from both an operational and public health standpoint. Reconnect 2013 focuses on water infrastructure systems including water hydrology, contamination, and decision making. Dr. Paul Houser will look at quantifying and predicting water cycle and environmental consequences of earth system variability through numerical hydrologic data simulations and regional land surface-atmospheric hydrologic modeling. Web-based data visualization tools for climate and water data will be utilized. Contamination of water supplies will be highlighted by Dr. Abdul-Aziz Yakubu, with a guest lecture by a fracking expert. Epidemiological and surveillance data of sporadic cases of waterborne diseases and health effects from accidental or intentional chemical and microbial contamination can be linked to problems in water distribution systems. The issue of water contamination due to the process of fracking to obtain natural gas from the ground has heightened the general public�s awareness of this key issue. In addition to contamination, losses of life and property in the United States and throughout the world resulting from hydrologic hazards, including floods, droughts, and related phenomena, are significant and increasing. In the United States, over three-quarters of federal disaster declarations result from water-related events and in many parts of the world (e.g., Bangladesh) floods and droughts (e.g., Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa) have threatened the viability of society. Dr. Midge Cozzens will conclude the week using game theory to manage water resource system conflicts.

Organizers: Midge Cozzens, Research Faculty at Rutgers University and Asamoah Nkwanta, Morgan State University

Speakers: Paul Houser (Main Speaker), Professor of Global Hydrology, George Mason University; Midge Cozzens, Research Faculty at Rutgers University; and Abdul-Aziz Yakubu, Howard University

Registration fees, lodging, meals, and travel: Academic participants: registration, lodging and meals will be provided through DHS funding. Government participants: $350 For-Profit Corporation participants: $500 (includes all meals from Wednesday dinner to Wednesday lunch). Limited funds are expected to be available to waive part or all of the registration fee and/or provide partial support for travel.

Deadline for Applications: April 1, 2013 or until all slots are filled. Applications are to be submitted online at http://www.archive.ccicada.org/Reconnect/2013/ApplicationChecklistPage.html and will be reviewed as they are received.

For more information contact:Christine Spassione at [email protected] or visit the Reconnect web page http://archive.ccicada.org/Reconnect/2013/.