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Javita Everhart |
Doing Her Part to Strengthen U.S. Biodefense
Javita Everhart
May 2010
Since even before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded MITRE the contract to manage and operate its Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (HS SEDI™) FFRDC in March 2009, MITRE has played a pivotal role in providing DHS with strategic systems engineering expertise and acquisition advice. Javita Everhart, a multi-discipline systems engineer, has become a key contributor to MITRE's biodefense and chemical security efforts within the HS SEDI.
Everhart has an undergraduate degree in biology from Howard University and a master's degree in biohazardous threat agents and emerging infectious diseases from Georgetown University. With this background, she brings a broad base of knowledge in chemistry, biology, and biodefense to her customers. She also provides support in information analysis; knowledge of biosurveillance techniques; integration of human, animal, and plant threat assessments; and strategic planning.
Everhart came to MITRE in 2006 and has spent the past three years working on several biodefense and chemical security projects. Currently, she supports the Infrastructure Security Compliance Division (ISCD) within DHS's Office of Infrastructure Protection. "The ISCD regulates high-risk chemical facilities," she says, "so my day-to-day work addresses some of the critical systems engineering challenges of ISCD. This includes risk and project management and the planning, management, and execution of activities related to systems capabilities."
She also leads developmental testing and evaluation support to DHS' implementation of the chemical facility anti-terrorism standards regulatory framework. One of the things Everhart appreciates about her job is that it involves so many different types of tasks. "The variety in my work is always interesting," she says. "My team and I are conducting a test and evaluation on approximately six software tools that ISCD is developing.
Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute
(HS SEDI™)
MITRE has operated the HS SEDI FFRDC, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, since early 2009. HS SEDI provides systems engineering, acquisition and program management expertise in support of the overall homeland security mission. Its purpose is to provide expert technical advice to help the Department integrate plans and processes to enhance acquisitions and IT systems development across its entire organization. |
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"We're also evaluating the geospatial capabilities of the IT tools and developing a new user interface for their suite of reporting tools. In addition to this, I have to perform my project management duties. So, I definitely keep busy!" Regulating the security of the U.S. chemical industry, an integral component of the U.S. economy, is an important part of DHS' mission to protect the American people from terrorist threats. This is one aspect of HS SEDI's expert technical advice to help the DHS integrate plans and processes to enhance acquisitions and IT systems development across its entire organization.
It is not uncommon for Everhart's work to require a mix of specialized subject-matter expertise and systems engineering support. "In one of my earlier projects, for example, I was supporting the National Biosurveillance Integration Center [NBIC]," she says, "and I really liked being involved in the evolution of the project from the beginning to the end.
"When I first started working on the NBIC program," she adds, "I noticed there were many people who understood the technical aspects of biosurveillance and others who knew the engineering aspect of building a system. But the groups didn't 'speak the same language,' which made it difficult for them to move forward. I found this disconnect interesting; it further stimulated my interest in systems engineering."
The project inspired Everhart to pursue a second master's degree—this one from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). She is participating in a joint MITRE/JHU on-site master of science in systems engineering degree program that's conducted at both of MITRE's corporate headquarters in McLean, Va., and Bedford, Mass.
Encouraging the Next Generation
While work and school keep her busy, Everhart makes a point of volunteering for several youth-oriented MITRE events. "I have participated in numerous events, such as Take Our Children to Work Day and the Annual Youth Technology Summit, aimed at introducing the engineering field to young students," she says.
One such event made a special impression. "Last year I volunteered at the Young Women in Engineering Day. This event was an opportunity for female students in Fairfax County Public Schools to interact with female engineers at MITRE. They learned about the exciting things happening in the aviation, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and other engineering fields. Speaking with these young women was very important to me because I was not introduced to engineering and all its possibilities until I was much older."
She continues, "I encouraged the students to take advanced math and science courses and to not be intimidated to enter the engineering industry. This was an excellent MITRE-hosted event—one in which I am truly thankful to have participated."
—by Kay M. Upham
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