Speaker: Advanced Analytics for Remote Sensing

Dr. David J Alexander serves as a Senior Science Advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Science & Technology Directorate. In that capacity, Dr. Alexander provides leadership in interdisciplinary research across the physical, social and life sciences to enhance knowledge, advance state of the art, inform investments and drive actions in national threats, hazards, and risks. Dr. Alexander also serves as S&T lead in climate change adaptation, resilience and sustainability. Other programs he has spearheaded in DHS S&T include leading the S&T Flood Apex and Hurricane Technology Modernization programs as well as an analysis of Wildland Fire Operational Requirements and Capabilities in support of FEMA, US Fire Administration and other key stakeholders. Prior to his role in DHS S&T, Dr. Alexander served as the first appointed Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) for DHS and as Enterprise GIS Branch lead within FEMA. Before coming to DHS, Dr. Alexander acquired practical experience across the local, state, federal, and private sectors. He has more than 25 years of experience in Homeland Security related science and technology.

Dr. Alexander currently serves as a co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Resilience Science and Technology and member of the International Scientific Committee of the Eight International Conference on Floodplain Management. He previously served as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Council, DHS representative to the Federal Geographic Data Committee, co-champion for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, chair of the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Data Subcommittee, and chair of the DHS COP Executive Steering Committee.

Dr. Alexander holds a Doctor of Philosophy from George Mason University, Master’s degree in business management from Colorado Technical University, Master’s degree in Geography from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in History from the University of South Carolina – Aiken.

Dr. Alexander is also an adjunct faculty member at Delta State University within the College of Arts and Sciences.