image: From left are Riverside Research President Richard Annas, Louisiana Tech Vice President for R&D Stan Napper, Riverside Research Chief Scientist John Morris, and Louisiana Tech University President Les Guice. view more
Credit: Louisiana Tech University Communications
RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech University and Riverside Research, a not-for-profit defense contractor that supports government, industry, and academic institutions around the nation in the development and application of cybersecurity technologies, signed an agreement Wednesday that will enable the two organizations to jointly pursue new academic and educational research initiatives.
Louisiana Tech President Les Guice was joined by Riverside Research President Richard Annas to make the partnership official during a signing ceremony in Guice's Wyly Tower office. The signing was followed by a campus tour led by Louisiana Tech Vice President for Research and Development Dr. Stan Napper, highlighting several of Louisiana Tech's innovative academic and research centers as well as introductions to some of the university's research faculty.
"Louisiana Tech is proud to enter into this partnership with Riverside Research and is looking forward to collaborations that will enrich the educational and research opportunities for our students, and advance innovation and growth in north Louisiana," said Guice. "Riverside Research's reputation as a national leader in the STEM disciplines, particularly cybersecurity, makes them a perfect partner for Louisiana Tech."
"This partnership will enable new, mission-focused solutions for our defense and intelligence customers by advancing scientific knowledge in areas critical to national security," said Annas.
John Morris, chief scientist for Riverside Research and a Louisiana Tech alumnus adds, "Louisiana Tech faculty and students measure up to among the best in the nation and Riverside Research is very excited to be partnering with such talented individuals."
Riverside Research is a nationally-recognized leader in accredited, Department of Defense-approved course design and instruction at all classification levels. They are also a much sought after systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) company with expertise in software reverse engineering, systems security assessment, vulnerability discovery, software protection, and malicious software analysis for the defense and intelligence communities.
Having established a Cyber Center of Excellence, Riverside Research also provides onsite subject matter expertise at customer facilities nationwide, including information technology specialists supporting US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City.
"This agreement solidifies a partnership to pursue joint research and technology projects in cybersecurity, defense systems, STEM education, and perhaps other topic areas," said Napper. "Riverside Research has a wide network of affiliates and we are happy to be included among them."
Napper believes this agreement will most likely impact Louisiana Tech's computer science and electrical engineering programs, the Center for Secure Cyberspace and the Integrated STEM Education Research Center. It could also provide opportunities such as joint research projects through competitively-obtained funding, internships for students and technology development.