Caruso to head UMKC defense-related research

CarusoUMKC is stepping up its efforts in defense-related research.

The University said physics professor Dr. Tony Caruso has been named to a new administrative position to develop existing and new research efforts, as well as strategic partnerships in the areas of defense, intelligence and advanced materials and instrumentation.

Caruso is an expert in atomic physics, according to a university press release. Here’s more from UMKC:

Caruso’s research is already responsible for attracting more than $3 million in funding, spinning off one commercial startup and the creation of a new line of products for another. One defense application is using his research to improve the ability to detect illicit nuclear material in transit. He is leading a team developing a hand-held device that can detect particles emitted from nuclear materials on a ship, pinpoint their location and decipher what isotope they had come from.

“With a variety of research strengths across multiple departments and various academic units at UMKC, as well as within the other three University of Missouri System campuses, UMKC is working to become a catalyst driving collaboration in the defense-related research sector,” Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Dr. Lawrence Dreyfus said. “Tony Caruso is an outstanding scientist and researcher and has become an invaluable asset to UMKC and our efforts to further develop new research opportunities for our faculty, particularly in the areas of the natural, physical, and applied sciences.  We are fortunate to have Tony on board and I look forward to working closely with him in his new research support role.”

Caruso will continue to serve in his academic role within the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics; and will have a joint appointment in the School of Computing and Engineering, where he will assist in coordinating defense-related research collaborative efforts.

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