SEN. WARNER PRESENT AT VMASC DEMONSTRATIONS APRIL 20

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) visited Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center on Wednesday, April 20.

Warner watched demonstrations of VMASC simulations and toured the facility, followed by a meeting with VMASC officials.

As Virginia Governor between 2002-2006, Sen. Warner played a key role in promoting the growth of the modeling & simulation industry in Hampton Roads, and was a strong supporter of ODU's VMASC program. As a U.S. Senator, he hosted a 2009 modeling & simulation conference to help local officials leverage M&S opportunities with the federal government, and he has been working with the bipartisan Congressional delegation to preserve key M&S functions as the Pentagon restructures U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Among the simulations demonstrated were the blood management model developed by Catherine Banks, research associate professor; the Hampton Roads transportation alternative model by Mike Robinson, research assistant professor; and the foreclosure contagion simulation co-developed by Andy Collins, research assistant professor.

The blood management model will help to train surgeons and anesthesiologists in the field of blood management during surgery, in an effort to reduce medical injuries due to blood loss.

The Hampton Roads transportation alternative model looks at different options to help alleviate traffic congestion in the region, ultimately recommending which additional infrastructure would have the greatest impact in reducing congestion.

The foreclosure contagion model, co-developed by Collins and Michael Seiler, professor of finance, looks at the so-called "contagion" effect of those who can afford to pay but who walk away from their mortgages - how it influences their neighbors' behavior, and how that in turn affects the real estate market.