VICKSBURG, Miss.— Researchers from 10 U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Districts have been selected for the 2023 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).
Michael Deegan Ph.D., a social scientist with the USACE Institute for Water Resources in Alexandria, Virginia, has been chosen to participate in the detail program, now in its eighth year.
The 12 selectees were announced by ERDC-U Program Manager Antisa Webb, who serves as Chief of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), Technology, Knowledge and Outreach (TKO) Division. The Class of 2023 orientation session was held February 27 through March 2 at ERDC headquarters.
“ERDC-U offers partnerships between USACE Division and District participants and relevant laboratory mentors for six-month research projects, resulting in technical solutions benefitting their workplace, the Corps and the Nation,” Webb said. “By working with these subject-matter experts from ERDC’s seven state-of-the art laboratories, participants will focus on real-world solutions, as they also develop leadership skills for their home organization.”
The program is co-sponsored by ERDC’s Directorate of Human Capital (DHC) through an application and selection process. Program funding is split between the selectee’s Division or District for choice of labor costs or travel with the other funded by ERDC.
Since 2019, Deegan has served as program manager for New Horizons, an IWR program to aid leadership and USACE headquarters in identifying emerging issues and innovative solutions. His expertise includes the development of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tools, with applications ranging from asset management to budget development.
He also serves as an adjunct professor for the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Viriginia.
Working with ERDC Environmental Laboratory (EL) mentors Dr. Igor Linkov and Garrett Watson, Deegan will research watershed resilience in low-capacity communities. The project’s goals are to help counties with limited resources improve their data and decision capabilities, while striving to help communities identify interdependencies between infrastructure systems and the potential impact of cascading failures.
“In my years of knowing him, Dr. Deegan has shown exemplary problem solving skills and keen analytical skills, combined with a solid foundation for understanding decision-making systems,” said IWR Supervisory Planning Manager Jae Chung. “I believe participation in ERDC University would allow him to learn and contribute to technical knowledge that would benefit USACE.”
“ERDC-U experiences build a collaborative and continuing partnership with ERDC team members as an investment in the future of the Corps, along with career-long problem-solving contacts,” Webb said.
The ERDC University Program specifically seeks individuals with interest and experience in general scientific and engineering fields encompassing one of the following areas:
- Civil Works and Water Resources
- Environmental Quality and Installations
- Geospatial Research and Engineering
- Information Technology
- Military Engineering
Participants serve as a member of the interdisciplinary Research and Development team reporting to Lead Project Managers and/or Research and Development Direct Program Managers.
In his welcome to the new class, ERDC Director Dr. David Pittman said selectees will “have the opportunity to make great relationships that can help you the rest of your career, and we can learn about District needs from you.”
For program questions, contact Antisa.C.Webb@usace.army.mil Applications for the 2024 program will open October 1 for GS-7-13 team members through the “Opportunities” icon at:https://wiki.erdc.dren.mil/ERDC_University