In February 2018, I presented at the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science Research and Development Showcase. My poster presentation featured my research on active shooter simulation up to that point. As a result, it outlined the background and methodology but did not have the results of the agent-based simulation.
As a remote student, this was the first time I had visited the GWU campus in Washington, D.C. The campus was beautiful but the best part of the trip was a late-night run through the national mall where the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument captured my attention. What a beautiful night!
Unfortunately, the presentation got off to a rough start, I had driven down in the freak Seattle snowstorm. I had a connecting flight in DFW and, along the way, Alaska lost my bag. Unfortunately, this left me without anything but my jeans and a t-shirt to go to and present my research. Luckily GWU had a nice button shirt that I was able to purchase before the presentation. Alaska eventually tracked down my bag and ended up reimbursing me for my shirt.
During the presentations, I had the pleasure of meeting my advisor Professor Thomas Mazzuchi in person as well as EMSE Professor Ekundayo Shittu who was an instant advocate for my research. The research proved to be popular especially as the CNN town hall with the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors captured headlines. I had the privilege of having a long conversation with Dean David S. Dolling who then brought President Thomas LeBlanc to hear about my research. Not bad for a distance student!
