White House official to speak on science, technology and innovation for national security

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Patricia Falcone, associate director for national security and international affairs at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will speak Monday at the University of Florida as part of the Weil Lecture Series hosted by UF’s College of Engineering.

In her lecture, “Science, Technology and Innovation for America’s National Security,” Falcone will share her perspective on the role that universities play in enabling resilience and agility in security issues on the national level. Attending the event will be the External Advisory Board of the college’s new Florida Institute for National Security, or FINS. The event will begin at 5:10 p.m. in Room 610 of the New Engineering Building, 1064 Center Dr.

“Strengthening our national security is a matter of critical importance, and we’ve created this institute to better prepare our students to play a leadership role in doing that,” said Cammy Abernathy, dean of UF College of Engineering. “Pat Falcone is in the best position to discuss the many ways that talented engineers can make a difference in powering this area.”

FINS is the first non-military academic institute in Florida dedicated solely to national security education, research and talent fulfillment. The advisory board’s inaugural meeting will focus on the role and mission of FINS, which includes designing national security-related curriculum and certification programs.

The institute also aims to increase funded research in national security-related projects through improved collaboration and development of a talent pipeline for national security-related professions through recruitment, mentorship and internship programs.

A question-and-answer session will follow Falcone’s presentation.

Credits

Media contacts:

Warren Dixon
Director
Florida Institute for National Security
352-392-7303
wdixon@ufl.edu

Kristin Lee
Assistant Director for Strategic Communications
White House office of Science & Technology Policy
202-456-6037 (desk) | 202-384-3466 (cell) | @Lee44
Kristin_D_Lee@ostp.eop.gov