Department of Defense, Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering Partner to Develop Innovative Solutions for National Security

The Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE) announced a new partnership with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), a Department of Defense program office that connects academia and startups to solve national security problems. NSIN has appointed Roger Misso as university program director for Syracuse University.

Misso will be based at the University’s CASE offices, where he will strengthen relationships between defense, academia and venture communities. This partnership gives students real-world opportunities to develop innovative solutions to national security challenges. Additionally, the partnership will strengthen the talent pipeline for government and industry.

“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, the University’s interim vice president for research. “This partnership is a direct result of teamwork between NSIN, CASE and Syracuse University’s Office of Government and Community 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, a NYSTAR-designated Center for Advanced Technology, helps companies identify faculty collaborators, establish university research contracts, hire talented students, network with other high-tech businesses and locate and market technology to commercialize.

Misso’s appointment will expand the University’s partnership with the DoD through such programs 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 says. “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. Together, we will have an incredible impact on students, faculty and the economy of Central New York.”

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 Central New York 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.