Michael B. Silevitch

Michael B. Silevitch is the Robert D. Black Professor and College of Engineering Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, holding dual appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering. He serves as Director of ALERT (Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence), SENTRY (DHS-funded research center), and PROTECT. His leadership spans NSF Engineering Research Centers including Gordon-CenSSIS. With over 40 years at Northeastern, he has directed major initiatives like the Center for Electromagnetics Research and the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program.

Education: BSEE (1965), MSEE (1966), PhD (1971) from Northeastern University. Recognized with IEEE Fellow status (2003) and the prestigious Gordon Prize for developing engineering leadership training programs.

Research focuses on subsurface sensing technologies for explosive detection, space plasma physics phenomena, and K-12 STEM education innovation through programs like CESAME and IMPACT. Key projects include ASHERD nuclear detection systems and the $400M Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (ASP) initiative.

Leadership roles include directing multi-institutional DHS-funded efforts (ALERT, SENTRY), co-PI on NSF's $20M PALMS education initiative, and PI for a $36M SENTRY surveillance system project. Awards highlight contributions to both technical innovation and educational leadership.

Grants include NSF Industry-University Center funding, Department of Homeland Security core grants ($3.6M/year for ALERT), and recent $4M AI Jumpstart program to support small businesses. Collaborations involve international scientists and industry leaders like Raytheon.