Software Assurance Technology Center (SATC)

Software Assurance Technology Center

Visiting Academics

Two of the most fundamental elements of the Software Assurance Technology Center’s mission are: 1) to conduct applied research in order to meet the challenges of Software Engineering, and 2) to engage in continuous and significant outreach to enhance the body of knowledge.

One of the ways in which SATC meets these objectives is by hosting outstanding Visiting Professors and Promising Students whose interests and experience match its areas of interest.

This year we were pleased to host two such talented individuals. The SATC team has been greatly enriched by the experience and hopes to have given something significant back to these two gentlemen. Our sincere thanks to both!

SATC’s 2002 Visiting Professor

The Software Assurance Technology Center is very proud to have hosted Dr. Massood Towhidnejad of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Florida Campus.

Dr. Towhidnejad is a full Professor with the Computer Science Dept. at Embry Riddle. His current research areas of particular interest are: Software Process Improvement, Software Engineering, Software Quality Assurance and Testing, and Mathematical Modeling. Having previously consulted with other government agencies as well as Fortune 100 corporations, Professor Towhidnejad brought a wealth of current theory and a practical understanding of real world issues.

Besides full teaching responsibilities and private consulting activities, Dr. Towhidnejad has published more than 40 technical papers in a wide range of journals, books and conferences. He also serves as an officer of FLAIRS (Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Symposium) organization and previously served on both organizing and/or program committees of a number of national and international conferences. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Software Testing Professionals.

SATC’s 2002 Visiting Student

Among NASA’s many goals is to increase interest in science and technology among America’s students. This summer, SATC was able to support this agency objective by sponsoring an outstanding High School student through the Student Internship Program (SIP). The program provides an opportunity for talented and promising students to spend up to ten weeks working at the center. Students have the opportunity to participate in on-going, work-based activities along side technical professionals on a daily basis. Tasks are based on students’ strengths and interests as well as the current projects within the sponsoring department in order to achieve the most productive learning experience. This year, SATC was extremely proud to host Jay Lagorio, a Junior from Salem High School in Salem, Massachusetts.

Mr Lagorio worked as a full member of the software enhancement team making critical contributions to the next release of the Automated Requirements Analysis Tool (ARM) - a product which has been recognized by the Software Reliability community. He was responsible for improving the accuracy in the searching and metrics algorithms as well as significantly improving features of the user interface. In addition, Jay increased ARM's overall flexibility by expanding the input format capability.

Beside attending school in Salem, Mr. Lagorio also works as a lead software developer on the OctoPDF program, by JBM Systems, Inc. He has already earned the recognition of Microsoft Certified Professional and is working toward Certified Developer and Certified Systems Administrator. In addition to being an honor student, Jay also manages to find time to indulge his other talents on stage. He has performed in Oklahoma, Annie, The Pirates of Penzance, and Once Upon a Mattress.

It was our privilege to have hosted such a bright and talented student, but it was his sense of humor, professionalism and positive attitude that left a lasting impression on the SATC.

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