Roger Misso to Strengthen Defense Innovation Networks at Syracuse University
The Pentagon is collaborating with CASE at Syracuse University to develop innovative solutions for national security.
The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), a Department of Defense (DoD) program office, appointed Roger Misso as university program director at Syracuse University.
This partnership gives students real-world opportunities to develop innovative solutions for national security challenges and strengthens the talent pipeline for government and industry in New York.
Misso will be based at the university’s CASE offices, where he will build relationships between defense, academia, and venture communities.
“Accelerating Syracuse University’s research enterprise by hiring and retaining innovators, thinkers and educators with a passion for making an impact, perfectly complements NSIN’s mission,” says Ramesh Raina, interim vice president for research at Syracuse University. “This partnership is a direct result of teamwork between NSIN, CASE, and Syracuse University Government Relations. With CASE’s experience of over 35 years in industry outreach, research, and co-op student opportunities, we knew we had a terrific match. We believe this partnership will further propel our research efforts, as well as our students’ experience.”
CASE at Syracuse helps companies identify faculty collaborators, establish university research contracts, hire talented students, network with other high-tech businesses, locate and market technology to commercialize.
Misso’s appointment will expand Syracuse University’s partnership with the DoD through programs such as Hacking for Defense (H4D), X-Force, Capstone, and the Defense Innovation Accelerator (DIA).
“It is an honor to bring NSIN to Syracuse University. I grew up here, am proud to raise my family here, and I know the potential that our region has to contribute to NSIN’s transformation of defense innovation,” Misso expressed. “NSIN’s magic is its focus on developing people by helping them serve, helping them solve wicked defense problems, and helping them start and grow dual-use businesses right here in Central New York (CNY). Together, we will have an incredible impact on students, faculty, and the economy of CNY.”
Misso grew up in nearby Red Creek before graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and Harvard Kennedy School. He served for more than a decade on active duty as a naval flight officer, deploying twice in support of combat operations overseas. He also served as a defense legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives and as chief speechwriter to Admiral Michelle Howard, the first Black woman ever to earn the rank of four-star admiral in the nation’s history. While in uniform, Misso served as a leader within the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum, a reform-minded group of servicemembers and veterans advancing innovation and disruptive thinking from within DoD and as an advocate for survivors of military sexual assault. Since his honorable discharge from active service and prior to joining NSIN, Misso has worked for firms in both the defense innovation and nonprofit spaces, ran for U.S. Congress in CNY, and led a political action committee designed to help veterans and military family members run for public office. He and his wife, Christy, live with their two children on the east side of Syracuse, just a few blocks from campus.
About NSIN
NSIN is changing the way the Department of Defense solves problems. NSIN is building a diverse network from academia, entrepreneurial innovators and the defense community to leverage our nation’s greatest asset- people. NSIN is headquartered in Arlington, Va., and has 11 regional offices in commercial innovation hubs throughout the U.S.
About CASE
CASE is a NYSTAR-designated Center for Advanced Technology. CASE provides businesses from a wide range of industry sectors with expertise in all aspects of “big data,” from data mining and analytics, information fusion, and predictive analysis, to cybersecurity, autonomy, UAVs/drones, the “internet of things,” and much more. Visit us at case.syr.edu.
