Alex Endert is an Associate Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. His work on novel interaction techniques for visual analytics has direct implications to national security, as recognized by his recent induction into the Science Advisory Guide for Emergencies for the Department of Homeland Security and Technology Directorate in 2015.  In 2013, his work on Semantic Interaction was awarded the IEEE VGTC VPG Pioneers Group Doctoral Dissertation Award, and the Virginia Tech Computer Science Best Dissertation Award. His work has been funded by DHS, DOD, DARPA, MSR, DOE, and industry partners.