James Hendler Named to Federation of American Scientists COVID-19 Task Force

May 26, 2020

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The Federation of American Scientists has named James Hendler, the Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web, and Cognitive Sciences and director of the Rensselaer Institute of Data Exploration and Applications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, to a recently formed COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force.

Hendler will join dozens of scientists and experts on the task force, which is a resource for federal and state legislators and other policymakers who are looking for information to address everything from biomedical research needs, to diagnostic test development, to contact tracing challenges, and other areas of critical concern. 

“Researchers across this country hold the expertise that can help to address numerous aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic,” said Ali Nouri, president of the Federation of American Scientists. “It is critical that there be an open channel of communications between decision makers and scientific and public health experts.”

Policymakers will be able to pose any question and receive a rapid response. In addition, they will have the ability to directly connect with experts who specialize in a particular area of need. 

The COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force is composed of numerous leading experts across the country.

Hendler, an expert in artificial intelligence and one of the originators of the “Semantic Web,” is a former member of the U.S. Air Force Science Advisory Board, the former chief scientist of the Information Systems Office at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and a recipient of the U.S. Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Medal. In addition to numerous other policymakers and government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Hendler has worked with the White House on the development of Data.gov, the U.S. government’s open data site, as an “Internet Web Expert.”

Written By Mary L. Martialay
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