Penn State recently created a position for a Homeland Security director, who will act as a go-between for the Department of Homeland Security and a network of universities throughout the state.

Gilbert R. Jersey will fill the Homeland Security director and research and technology transfer administrator position starting July 12. He is currently the technology manager for Exxon Mobil's Corporate Research Laboratory.

Jersey said he plans on acting as an interface between colleges at the university and outside organizations, such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), industrial partners and defense contractors.

"I'm incredibly excited ... this is a great opportunity to turn Penn State into a powerhouse of Homeland Security," he said.

Jersey's position is funded by a $1.2 million state grant allotted to the Keystone Alliance, which is a security and research network connecting Penn State with other universities and colleges throughout the state to aid the Homeland Security initiative.

"The position was created to coordinate the Keystone Alliance and bridge the needs of both state and federal government with the capabilities of faculty members here at Penn State and other members of the Alliance," said Paul Hallacher, a director in research program development at Penn State.

Members of the Alliance conduct research benefiting Homeland Security and develop responses for emergency situations.

"If there is an emergency in Philadelphia, trained people in Harrisburg and Scranton will be able to provide assistance," said Robert McGrath, Penn State associate vice president of research and director of strategic initiatives.

The DHS has requested assistance from the Alliance in several areas of research.

"There are so many areas where the university can contribute, ranging from agri-terrorism to educational training," McGrath said.

Strong censors able to detect toxins in the environment have been developed at Penn State and are being tested at airports across the U.S., Hallacher said.

"You walk through a doorway, you'll be hit with a puff of air, and instantaneously sensors can detect chemicals," he said.

The DHS wants to create a center to research the psychology of terrorism. Penn State's Department of Psychology is spearheading this effort.

In response to DHS requests, Carnegie Mellon University is leading the Alliance in computer research to combat the threat of computer terrorism.

Other members of the Alliance include the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lehigh University and community colleges around the state.

"There are a number of opportunities for a university like Penn State to contribute to Homeland Security," said Eva Pell, vice president for research and dean of the the Penn State Graduate School. "We needed someone to serve as a liaison between Penn State and the outside world ... they will identify needs and opportunities, come back and be in a position to know what is going on in the university so the university can respond."

Jersey's plans include establishing an inventory of Homeland Security research activities at Penn State and reporting those activities to Alliance partners and the DHS.

Some students' reactions to Penn State's activities with national security were positive.

"It gets our name out there and gets us involved with guarding our nation instead of just researching cows," Matt Clark (senior-biology) said.

Penn State's Earth and Mineral Sciences Department is researching the dispersion of airborne products to combat biological terrorism.

"After 9/11, faculty asked, 'How can I help?' There's a lot we can do because of the innovative thinking from our faculty," Hallacher said.

Some students said they do not like the concept of Homeland Security in its entirety.

"It seems like such a feel good, with no results, kind of action Bush did to make people feel better in the wake of 9/11," Simon Huntley (senior-information sciences and technology) said.