The FBI’s top executive in charge of science and technology – including biometrics and forensic science – will visit West Virginia University (WVU) Wednesday (July 24), underscoring the University’s role as the agency’s research portal to academia.
Stephen Martinez, executive assistant director in charge of the agency’s Science and Technology Branch, will meet with Provost Michele Wheatly and Vice President of Research Fred King, then tour the university’s crime houses and forensic and biometric labs. Martinez is in charge of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services, Laboratory and Operational Technology Divisions.
“The FBI’s association with West Virginia University’s biometrics programs represents a long-standing and valuable collaboration,” Martinez says. “WVU is a primary academic partner with the FBI’s Biometrics Center of Excellence, where biometric innovation is the main commodity. I am delighted with the opportunity to visit WVU and see firsthand the ground-breaking work that is happening here.”
In 2008, the FBI Biometric Center of Excellence, located in Clarksburg, and WVU Research Corp. reached a cooperative agreement that created an environment which enabled the Science and Technology Branch to continually benefit from new research. The agreement established the Research Corp. as the BCOE’s research portal to the academic world and has been a technological driver for the University as well. Currently BCOE-related work at WVU involves more than two dozen programs and several millions of dollars.
It has also helped strengthen research programs, and provided WVU undergraduates with hands-on experiences in the areas they’ll eventually work.
“WVU values its strong relationship with the FBI. It is a key component of the University’s success in developing internationally recognized programs in biometrics and forensic sciences,” WVU’s King says.
“We are proud to have been chosen by the FBI as a key academic partner for their training and research programs. The University community looks forward to familiarizing Director Martinez with our programs and facilities.”
