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DHS Scholar's math background serves U.S. Navy research

 (Oct. 6, 2006)

    Students studying homeland security through mathematics are discovering broad career pathways with applications including threat analysis, intelligence analysis, identification technologies, and message decoding.

     Kimberly Tuttle, a 2004 Scholar, is one such example. A graduate of Boise State University, Kimberly earned her B.S. in mathematics. Her DHS Scholars & Fellows experience included an internship at Lawerence Livermore National Laboratory in 2005. While there, Kimberly developed a research project entitled, “Kinetic Modeling of High Explosives,” which addressed the development of models based on small-scale experiments that could predict larger scale explosions.

     Her work in mathematics led Kimberly to a research and analysis position with the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Panama City, FL. The NSWC conducts research and development to provide technological support for the Navy and Marine Corps. Specific endeavors include amphibious warfare, diving, maritime operations and mine warfare.

     Kimberly obtained her position through USAjobs.com, the online listing of employment within the Federal government. Upon her hiring into the NSWC, Kimberly’s employer informed her that her distinction and experience as a DHS Scholar enabled her to stand out from other job applicants. “I believe my experience in the DHS internship has been a great help to my career,” states Kimberly