ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) Welcomes Dr. Thomas Irwin as New Executive Director of the Center for Mission Engineering
January 25, 2024
OERI Announces Appointment of Dr. Michael Robinson as Interim Executive Director of VMASC
Suffolk, VA (January 30, 2024) – The Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Robinson as Interim Executive Director of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC). Dr. Robinson will continue service as the OERI Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the operations of five applied research centers, including VMASC, the Virginia Digital Maritime Center, the Virginia Institute of Spaceflight and Autonomy, the Maritime Center for Mission Engineering, and the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems. Dr. Robinson previously served as the Executive Director of the Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem and Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Programs (now the Virginia Digital Maritime Center.)
With a highly diverse education and background, and a focus on providing real-world decision support to improve communities, Dr. Robinson’s research specialties include modeling and simulation, transportation planning, public health policy, cyber security, and critical infrastructure protection and resilience.
“I look forward to leading VMASC and this tremendous group of modeling and simulation professionals, continuing the center’s cutting-edge advancements and maintaining a position of global leadership in M&S,” Dr. Robinson said.
Dr. Robinson has specialized knowledge of evacuation models. With a team of VMASC modelers, Dr. Robinson created evacuation simulations used by communities and governments across the country and endorsed by all levels of government. He has received over $16M in external funding as Principal Investigator with an addition $2M as co-PI.
“Dr. Mike Robinson’s nearly two decades of innovative research and expertise in modeling and simulation, commitment to community improvement, and exemplary leadership, uniquely qualify him for this role,” said Dr. Eric Weisel, Senior Associate Vice President for Enterprise Research and Innovation. “We have confidence that Dr. Robinson will perpetuate VMASC’s reputation for modeling excellence under his continued leadership.”
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About OERI: The Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OER) is Virginia’s premier university research center of Old Dominion University focusing on applied research leading to digital transformation. Staffed by over one hundred faculty, scientists, and support staff, OERI provides modeling and simulation, analytic research, and technological support for partners across various industry, government, and community sectors. Building upon years of success, OERI was developed and oversees five research enterprises.
About VMASC: The Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC) has over 25 years of experience serving community, industry, and government sectors with modeling and simulation, analytic research, and technological support for partners.
