Defining the optimal overhead ratio is a critical task for any company aiming to balance operational efficiency with profitability. The overhead ratio is a key financial metric that measures the proportion of a company's overhead costs relative to its revenue. Overhead costs typically include fixed expenses such as rent, utilities, administrative salaries, insurance, and depreciation that are not directly tied to production. A well-defined optimal overhead ratio ensures that a company is not overspending on its overhead while still maintaining the resources needed to run its operations effectively.

The overhead ratio is calculated by dividing total overhead costs by total revenue, and then multiplying the result by 100 to get a percentage. This ratio is essential for understanding how much of a company’s revenue is consumed by overhead costs. A lower overhead ratio indicates that a company is managing its indirect costs efficiently, while a higher ratio suggests that the company may be spending too much on non-direct expenses, which could hurt profitability.

To define the optimal overhead ratio, companies should first consider industry benchmarks. Different sectors have different overhead requirements. For example, a software company may have a relatively low overhead ratio because its production costs are primarily related to human resources, while a manufacturing company may have a higher ratio due to costs associated with equipment, maintenance, and utilities. Understanding industry norms helps companies gauge whether their overhead costs are reasonable or out of line with competitors. However, it’s important to remember that these benchmarks should be used as a reference point rather than a strict target, as each company’s situation is unique.

The optimal overhead ratio will depend on the company’s business model, growth stage, and strategic goals. A startup might have higher overhead costs as it invests in infrastructure, marketing, and technology to build a foundation, resulting in a higher overhead ratio. In contrast, a mature company with a streamlined operation and established revenue streams may aim for a lower overhead ratio to maximize profitability. A company’s goals—whether expanding operations, launching new products, or improving profitability—will also influence the acceptable range for overhead costs. A business prioritizing growth might be more willing to accept a higher overhead ratio if it leads to higher long-term revenue.

Once the industry benchmark and business goals are considered, a company can define its optimal overhead ratio by evaluating its internal cost structure. This requires a deep dive into both fixed and variable overhead costs to identify areas for potential savings. Companies can optimize their overhead ratio by implementing cost control measures, such as renegotiating supplier contracts, automating administrative tasks, consolidating office spaces, or outsourcing non-core activities. By reducing unnecessary overhead costs without compromising essential functions, companies can achieve an optimal ratio that supports both operational needs and profitability.

The optimal overhead ratio is not a static figure but should be periodically reviewed and adjusted as the business evolves. Changes in market conditions, business strategy, or external factors such as inflation or regulation may affect overhead costs. For instance, if a company expands into new regions or scales production, its overhead costs may increase, potentially impacting the overhead ratio. Regularly monitoring the ratio allows businesses to adjust their cost structure proactively and ensure that overhead expenses are aligned with overall financial health and business objectives.

Defining the optimal overhead ratio involves balancing the need for operational efficiency with the reality of business requirements. By considering industry benchmarks, evaluating internal costs, aligning the ratio with business goals, and continuously monitoring performance, a company can determine an appropriate overhead ratio that supports sustainable growth and profitability. An optimal overhead ratio ensures that resources are allocated effectively, allowing the company to maintain competitive pricing, invest in innovation, and achieve long-term success.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are critical tools for evaluating the success and efficiency of operations in any industry. In contract manufacturing within the biotech sector, KPIs help organizations track performance, ensure compliance, and optimize productivity. Since biotech contract manufacturing involves the production of pharmaceutical and biotechnological products under strict regulatory guidelines, it is essential to use KPIs that measure quality, cost-effectiveness, timeliness, and risk mitigation. Below are some of the best KPIs to use for contract manufacturing in biotech.

1. Product Quality (Right First Time)
In the biotech industry, product quality is paramount. One of the most important KPIs is the Right First Time (RFT) metric, which measures the percentage of products that meet all quality standards without requiring rework or adjustments. This KPI is critical in contract manufacturing, as it ensures that the products meet the client’s specifications and regulatory requirements on the first attempt. High RFT indicates effective processes and minimizes the risk of product recalls, which can be costly and damage a company's reputation. A high RFT rate directly reflects the ability of the contract manufacturer to produce products that are safe, reliable, and of high quality.

2. On-Time Delivery (OTD)
In contract manufacturing, meeting deadlines is crucial, especially when dealing with biotech products that have time-sensitive regulatory approval processes. On-Time Delivery (OTD) measures the percentage of orders that are delivered to clients within the agreed timeline. This KPI is critical for ensuring that production schedules align with market demands, regulatory submission deadlines, and client expectations. Delays can result in costly consequences, such as lost sales or delayed clinical trials, making this metric an essential measure of operational efficiency in contract manufacturing.

3. Yield and Efficiency
Yield measures the percentage of usable product produced relative to the total quantity manufactured. In biotech contract manufacturing, a high yield means that the production process is efficient and minimizes waste, which is particularly important given the high costs associated with raw materials and biological reagents. Efficiency can also be tracked through the yield-to-cost ratio, which compares the production output with the input costs, providing insight into both process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Both yield and efficiency KPIs help ensure that manufacturing processes are optimized, minimizing resource wastage and maximizing profitability for the client.

4. Cost per Unit
In contract manufacturing, especially in biotech, it is vital to keep production costs under control. The Cost per Unit KPI tracks the total cost of producing a single unit of product. This includes raw materials, labor, equipment, and overhead costs. By monitoring this KPI, manufacturers can identify areas where they can reduce costs without compromising quality. Cost control is especially important in the biotech industry, where production involves high-cost raw materials and specialized processes. Keeping this KPI in check helps ensure that the contract manufacturer remains competitive and can deliver products at a price that aligns with market expectations.

5. Regulatory Compliance and Audit Results
Biotech manufacturing is subject to stringent regulatory requirements set by agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or EMA (European Medicines Agency). The Regulatory Compliance KPI measures adherence to these standards, including successful audits, certifications, and the absence of any compliance-related issues. This KPI is essential for maintaining the reputation of both the contract manufacturer and the client company. A failure to meet regulatory requirements can lead to production stoppages, legal liabilities, or loss of market access, making it a critical measure of operational success.

6. Capacity Utilization
Capacity Utilization is a KPI that measures the extent to which the production capacity is being used effectively. This metric is calculated by comparing the actual output to the maximum possible output. In biotech contract manufacturing, underutilized capacity indicates inefficiency and a missed opportunity for maximizing profitability, while overutilization could lead to overworked facilities, quality issues, or delays. Maintaining an optimal level of capacity utilization ensures that production processes are neither stretched too thin nor inefficiently underused.

7. Customer Satisfaction and Feedback
Biotech contract manufacturers often work with various clients, ranging from biotech startups to large pharmaceutical companies. Monitoring Customer Satisfaction through feedback surveys and client reviews can offer invaluable insights into how well the manufacturer is meeting the client's needs, particularly in terms of communication, quality, and delivery timelines. Satisfied clients are more likely to continue partnerships and recommend the manufacturer to others, which is crucial for long-term success in the contract manufacturing business.

Conclusion
The biotech industry relies heavily on contract manufacturing partnerships that meet strict quality, cost, and regulatory standards. To ensure these partnerships are successful, it’s essential to track KPIs that cover various aspects of the manufacturing process. KPIs such as Right First Time (RFT), On-Time Delivery (OTD), Yield and Efficiency, Cost per Unit, Regulatory Compliance, Capacity Utilization, and Customer Satisfaction are all critical to managing performance, ensuring product quality, minimizing costs, and maintaining regulatory compliance. By consistently monitoring these KPIs, biotech companies and contract manufacturers can optimize their operations and deliver high-quality products on time, every time.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most prestigious and recognized credentials in the project management field. It demonstrates a deep understanding of project management principles, practices, and methodologies, and signifies an individual’s capability to manage projects efficiently. PMP certification is valuable across various industries, where project management is integral to achieving organizational goals, delivering value, and ensuring project success. Here, we explore some of the industries where PMP certification is most valuable.

1. Construction and Engineering

One of the most prominent industries where PMP is highly sought after is construction and engineering. Projects in this industry are typically large-scale, complex, and require tight coordination among various stakeholders such as architects, engineers, contractors, and local government entities. Project managers in this field must oversee timelines, budgets, regulations, and quality standards. A PMP-certified professional is equipped to manage the intricacies of these projects, ensure that they are delivered on time and within budget, and mitigate potential risks. PMP professionals are particularly effective in construction because they can navigate complex project schedules, adhere to building codes, and ensure the safety and compliance of the project.

2. Information Technology (IT)

The IT industry is another sector where PMP is in high demand. IT projects often involve intricate details, shifting deadlines, and evolving technologies. Whether it’s the development of new software, the deployment of network infrastructure, or a cloud migration project, IT project managers must possess a comprehensive skill set. PMP-certified professionals can manage risks, communicate effectively with diverse teams, and ensure that projects are aligned with business objectives. In a rapidly changing environment like IT, the ability to adapt while maintaining project control and direction is essential, making PMP certification particularly valuable.

3. Healthcare

The healthcare industry is another domain where PMP professionals add significant value. Healthcare organizations often embark on projects to implement new technologies, build or renovate facilities, or roll out new services. These projects require careful management due to their potential impact on patient care, compliance with regulations, and the coordination of various healthcare professionals. A PMP-certified project manager ensures that projects in healthcare are conducted in a structured and efficient manner, balancing clinical needs with business objectives. From managing hospital renovations to overseeing the introduction of new medical systems, PMP professionals are instrumental in delivering these projects smoothly and within regulatory constraints.

4. Finance and Banking

In the finance and banking industry, PMP certification is particularly valuable due to the complexity of projects involved in system upgrades, product launches, and regulatory compliance. Financial institutions often have large-scale projects that require strict adherence to timelines, budgets, and legal requirements. Whether it's integrating new technologies, enhancing cybersecurity, or implementing new financial products, PMP-certified professionals help financial organizations reduce risks, manage resources effectively, and deliver projects successfully. Given the highly regulated nature of the financial industry, PMP professionals also bring the expertise needed to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

5. Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry also benefits from the expertise of PMP-certified project managers. Manufacturing projects, such as new product development, factory expansions, or the introduction of automation systems, are typically large in scope and require detailed planning. PMP-certified professionals excel at managing these projects by ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, production schedules are met, and quality standards are upheld. Additionally, their ability to manage cross-functional teams—such as engineers, designers, and suppliers—helps in delivering projects that improve operational efficiency and product quality.
Conclusion

PMP certification is an asset across a variety of industries, including construction, IT, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Professionals with PMP certification bring valuable expertise in planning, resource management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication, ensuring that projects are completed successfully and deliver tangible business value. As the demand for skilled project managers continues to grow, the PMP certification remains a key differentiator, equipping professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive, ever-evolving marketplace.

Microsoft Project is a powerful project management software that helps users plan, manage, and execute projects efficiently. It offers a wide range of features that allow users to create schedules, allocate resources, track progress, and manage budgets. However, to make the most out of Microsoft Project, it’s essential to understand how to use its tools properly. Here are key steps and tips on how to properly use Microsoft Project for successful project management.

The first step in using Microsoft Project is creating a new project. Upon opening the program, you can start a new project by selecting “New” and choosing from templates or starting with a blank project. Before you begin entering tasks, set your project’s start and end dates. Go to the Project tab and select Project Information to define these dates. Additionally, choose the working time calendar (standard or customized) under Change Working Time. This is important for managing tasks accurately as it defines working hours and holidays.

Once the project is set up, the next step is to break it down into manageable tasks. Enter tasks in the Task Name column under the Gantt Chart view. Each task should represent a specific activity or milestone within the project. Ensure you enter clear, concise task names to avoid confusion. For each task, define the duration (how long the task will take), start and finish dates, and set dependencies between tasks. To create dependencies, link tasks by selecting two tasks and clicking the Link Tasks button on the Task tab. Dependencies allow Microsoft Project to automatically adjust task dates if one task is delayed.

After defining tasks, the next step is to assign resources. Resources can include people, equipment, or materials needed to complete the tasks. In the Resource Sheet view, you can enter the names of resources, their type (work, material, or cost), and their available units (such as hours or percentage of availability). To assign resources to tasks, go back to the Gantt Chart view and select the task. Under the Resource column, select the appropriate resource from the dropdown list. You can also allocate cost and work hours to resources, ensuring that the project stays within budget and resources are not over-allocated.

Once tasks and resources are in place, the next step is to manage the schedule. The Gantt Chart view provides a visual representation of the project schedule, displaying tasks on a timeline. As the project progresses, update the task completion percentage regularly. In the Tracking Gantt view, you can also track progress by comparing baseline and actual performance. To set a baseline, go to the Project tab and select Set Baseline. This establishes a reference point for measuring progress. Make sure to monitor critical tasks regularly using the Critical Path feature, which identifies tasks that directly impact the project’s timeline. If any critical tasks are delayed, take immediate action to mitigate any risks that could affect the project’s overall success.

To ensure the project is on track, it is essential to regularly track progress and adjust plans as necessary. Microsoft Project has various built-in reporting tools that help project managers generate comprehensive status reports. Under the Report tab, select from a variety of pre-built reports, such as project overview, resource usage, and cost tracking reports. Additionally, use Progress Lines in the Gantt Chart to visualize completed work and upcoming tasks. This provides an at-a-glance understanding of the project's status and helps identify any potential delays.

Lastly, communication is key in project management. Microsoft Project allows you to share the project schedule with stakeholders by exporting reports or project data to Excel, PDF, or other formats. Regular updates ensure that team members and stakeholders are informed and can provide feedback or adjustments.

In conclusion, using Microsoft Project effectively requires careful planning, resource management, and tracking throughout the project lifecycle. By setting up tasks, allocating resources, defining dependencies, managing schedules, and utilizing the software's reporting capabilities, project managers can ensure that their projects are delivered on time and within budget. Mastering Microsoft Project takes time, but with consistent practice and a methodical approach, it becomes an invaluable tool for achieving project success.

Accurate valuations are central to the success and strategic alignment of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In these high-stakes transactions, the ability to determine the true worth of a company can make the difference between a lucrative deal and a costly misstep. Understanding the importance of accurate valuations in M&A requires a deep dive into several critical aspects: financial integrity, strategic alignment, negotiation leverage, risk management, and post-transaction integration.

1. Ensuring Financial Integrity
Accurate valuations are crucial for ensuring the financial integrity of an M&A deal. The valuation process involves assessing the fair market value of a company based on various factors such as financial performance, market conditions, and future growth prospects. A precise valuation provides a realistic picture of the company's worth, which is essential for making informed investment decisions. Without accurate valuations, there is a significant risk of overpaying for a company, which can undermine the financial health of the acquiring firm and erode shareholder value.

2. Aligning Strategic Objectives
For an M&A deal to be successful, it must align with the strategic objectives of the acquiring company. Accurate valuations help in assessing whether the target company fits well within the acquirer’s strategic vision. This alignment involves evaluating not just the financial metrics but also the strategic benefits such as market expansion, technology acquisition, or talent acquisition. A precise valuation ensures that the strategic rationale behind the acquisition is supported by objective financial evidence, thus justifying the investment and supporting long-term growth objectives.

3. Enhancing Negotiation Leverage
Accurate valuations play a crucial role in negotiations during the M&A process. When both parties have a clear understanding of the company's worth, it levels the playing field and facilitates more effective negotiations. A well-supported valuation enables the acquiring company to negotiate from a position of strength, providing a solid basis for discussing terms and conditions. Conversely, a poorly conducted valuation can lead to disputes, protracted negotiations, and potentially even the collapse of the deal.

4. Managing Risks
The risk management aspect of M&A is heavily influenced by the accuracy of valuations. Inaccurate valuations can lead to unforeseen liabilities or overestimated synergies, resulting in financial losses or operational disruptions post-acquisition. Accurate valuations involve rigorous due diligence and comprehensive analysis, helping to identify and mitigate risks associated with the target company. This includes understanding hidden liabilities, assessing the quality of earnings, and evaluating the potential for integration challenges. By accurately valuing the target, the acquiring company can better anticipate and plan for these risks, improving the likelihood of a successful transaction.

5. Facilitating Post-Transaction Integration
Post-transaction integration is a critical phase where accurate valuations continue to play a role. Once the acquisition is completed, the integration process must align with the financial expectations set forth in the valuation. Accurate valuations help in setting realistic performance benchmarks and measuring the success of the integration efforts. They also provide a reference point for assessing whether the anticipated synergies and benefits are being realized. If the integration does not meet the projected value, it signals a need for adjustments and corrective actions to achieve the desired outcomes.

6. Building Trust and Credibility
Finally, accurate valuations build trust and credibility among stakeholders. Investors, board members, and regulatory bodies rely on accurate valuations to ensure that the M&A transaction is in the best interest of the company. A transparent and well-supported valuation process enhances confidence in the deal and demonstrates due diligence, reinforcing the acquiring company’s commitment to making sound financial decisions.
In conclusion, accurate valuations are fundamental to the M&A process, impacting financial integrity, strategic alignment, negotiation effectiveness, risk management, and post-transaction success. By providing a clear and objective assessment of a company’s worth, accurate valuations enable informed decision-making, strategic alignment, and successful integration, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the M&A transaction.

Free float, also known as "slack" or "total float," is a critical concept in project management that significantly impacts the success and efficiency of a project timeline. In project management, free float refers to the amount of time that a task can be delayed without affecting the subsequent tasks or the overall project completion date. Understanding and managing free float is crucial for effective scheduling and resource allocation, making it an essential element in project planning and execution.

1. Enhances Flexibility and Responsiveness
One of the primary benefits of free float is that it provides flexibility within the project schedule. With free float, project managers have a buffer that allows for adjustments in response to unforeseen issues or delays. This flexibility is invaluable in dynamic project environments where changes are inevitable. For instance, if a particular task experiences delays, having free float ensures that the delays do not cascade and impact the entire project timeline. This ability to adapt and make adjustments helps in maintaining project momentum and meeting deadlines, even when unexpected challenges arise.

2. Optimizes Resource Management
Free float also plays a significant role in resource management. When tasks have free float, it provides a window to reallocate resources effectively. If certain tasks are completed ahead of schedule, free float allows project managers to redistribute resources to tasks that might be lagging or need additional attention. This optimization of resources can enhance overall project efficiency, reduce idle time, and ensure that resources are utilized in the most effective manner.

3. Reduces Project Risk
By incorporating free float into the project schedule, managers can mitigate the risk of project overruns and delays. Free float acts as a safety net, absorbing minor setbacks without impacting the critical path. This risk mitigation is especially important for projects with tight deadlines or high stakes. Properly managing free float helps in identifying potential risks early and taking proactive measures to address them before they escalate into more significant issues.

4. Improves Scheduling Accuracy
Accurate scheduling is essential for project success, and free float contributes to this accuracy. By analyzing free float, project managers can identify which tasks are critical and which have some leeway. This insight allows for more precise scheduling and prioritization of tasks. Accurate scheduling helps in setting realistic deadlines, forecasting project completion dates more effectively, and ensuring that all project milestones are met in a timely manner.

5. Facilitates Effective Communication
Free float also facilitates better communication among project stakeholders. When project managers are aware of the free float in the schedule, they can communicate potential delays and their implications more effectively. This transparency helps in setting realistic expectations with clients, team members, and other stakeholders. Clear communication about the schedule and any adjustments needed helps in maintaining trust and ensuring that everyone involved is aligned with the project goals and timelines.

6. Supports Continuous Improvement
Finally, understanding and managing free float contributes to continuous improvement in project management practices. By analyzing how free float is utilized and its impact on project performance, project managers can learn from past projects and refine their scheduling and planning processes. This ongoing evaluation and adjustment help in enhancing project management methodologies, leading to more successful project outcomes in the future.

In conclusion, free float is a vital component in project management that significantly impacts flexibility, resource optimization, risk reduction, scheduling accuracy, communication, and continuous improvement. Effectively managing free float ensures that projects stay on track, adapt to changes, and meet their objectives within the specified timeframes. By leveraging free float strategically, project managers can enhance their overall project execution and deliver successful outcomes.

One of the keys to project management is the ability to effectively influence others without having direct authority over them. The extent of this need to influence can depend on the type of organization the project manager is working in. A functional structure, the most common of all the organizational structures, often presents the most significant challenges for project managers. Within this structure, each employee operates within his or her respective department and reports to a single functional manager within that department. As a project manager who needs to drive cross-functional efforts that require input from individuals in multiple departments, there is little that can be done to enforce or encourage actions to be taken.

Other organizational structures, including divisional and matrix variations, also offer their share of challenges. Regardless, anyone who assumes the role of a project manager must be able to effectively influence and indirectly manage the activities of various stakeholders to drive projects to completion in a timely and cost-effective manner. One major challenge that can inhibit a project manager from effectively driving projects to completion is an interpersonal conflict between internal stakeholders in different departments. Each department has its own deliverables outside of the project manager’s specific projects, and each internal stakeholder that a project manager indirectly manages brings a unique personality and set of intrinsic motivators. When conflicts arise between members of the team, it is up to the project manager to determine the correct course of action to mediate.

The simplest action would be to report the situation to the stakeholders’ functional managers. This allows for proper awareness and intervention within the direct line of authority for both individuals. However, this may not be the most effective option. Instead, it may be better for team morale to work on mediating the situation directly. Doing this requires a knowledge and awareness of the working relationship between the employees, the reason behind the conflict, and the possible avenues to resolve the conflict in a manner that both stakeholders are willing to accept without sacrificing the viability of the project or the continuity of the organization.

Project managers, especially ones in a complex industry such as pharmaceuticals or a different biotechnology discipline, need to strike a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Interpersonal conflicts between internal stakeholders can be very detrimental to project timelines, and failures to recover can impact the team’s morale and the viability of the business in the long run. This makes resolving these conflicts paramount, and as a project management professional it is key to utilize a broad array of hard and soft skills to ensure projects stays on-time and on-budget. Ensuring that interpersonal conflicts are resolved in a way that keeps team morale high can also have long-term benefits, as the team may work on future projects together.

​Founded in 1885 at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society (TBP) offers several benefits for college and university engineering students. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, TBP sponsors scholarships, fellowships, and other programs.

The organization also confers several professional advantages. A job fair at the annual convention and online employment listings provide access to leading engineering firms. Members also receive a 20 percent discount on preparation material for the FE/EIT and PE exams and participation in virtual presentations by other TBP members. The society also provides discounts on Dell and HP products.

Each year, TBP presents 250 scholarships to seniors for $2,000 for two semesters or $1,000 for one. Criteria for the awards include academic achievement, volunteer activities, and contributions to the field. In addition, TBP gives out as many as 32 fellowships for a year of graduate study. Having as few restrictions as possible, students who enhance the profession in some way become eligible for $10,000 fellowships.

Other TBP programs include the Distinguished Alumnus and other awards. The society also has created Engineering Futures, an initiative that develops members in non-technical skills. Finally, TBP sponsors K-12 MindSET, which emphasizes student, parent, and teacher development in STEM subjects and metrics for periodic evaluations.

​The Project Management Institute aims to improve project management. One of its many activities is providing professionals with a pathway to becoming certified through its Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

PMP Certification demonstrates that the professional has expertise in managing processes, people, and businesses during projects. However, to receive this certification, the person must meet certain criteria, in addition to passing the PMP 180-question exam. Project leaders created the exam while keeping other project leaders in mind, and structured it in a way that each question on the exam is applicable to real-world scenarios.

The certification lets employers and clients know that the professional has expertise in motivating teams throughout the entire process. It also indicates that the project manager is skilled in using diverse methods for finding best practices for each project. Finally, it also demonstrates that they can highlight project successes and impact.


Certification is accomplished in three steps: studying, applying for certification, and sitting for the exam. Those preparing for the exam have access to PMP resources, and the test is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. For more information on PMP Certification, please visit www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp.

​The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), located in Worcester, Massachusetts, provides its students with STEM education and research through experiential learning. More recently, the WPI received $594,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to research computer security.

An assistant professor and researcher, Shahin Tajik will help WPI ward off malicious attacks on their computer system through this research project. Tajik and his team will use the NSF funding to research technologies that prevent malicious attacks on computer hardware and chips.

The 5-year project includes a graduate course that Tajik will create related to micro-systems security. The course will also recruit undergraduate students.

Tajik likens research in hardware security to solving a puzzle, and then moving on to deal with more challenging problems that hackers cause. This work is important because it gives researchers a chance to explore and find solutions to hardware security weaknesses, an area that has long been overlooked.

The NSF award is part of its Faculty Early Career Development Program, which focuses on assisting faculty members at the beginning of their careers and helping them potentially become academic role models. So far, the NSF has awarded Tajik and another faculty member this award, with the other research project looking at ways to use bacteria to clean contaminated soil. For more information on the NSF grant or WPI research project, please visit wp.wpi.edu/stajik/.