Dr. Lewis’ current work focuses on the design of
reconfigurable systems and infrastructures that are able to perform
optimally in a wide range of operating conditions, often
encountered in extreme event planning and response. Fundamental
research includes theoretical developments on reconfigurable
systems, control algorithms to ensure stable system
reconfiguration, optimization methods for multiobjective decision
tradeoffs, and modeling and simulation of decentralized decision
processes under uncertainty. His work with NYSCEDII includes
investigating how extreme event preparedness as well as mitigation
and response would be better enabled and facilitated through use of
simulation, immersive environments, and web-based systems.
NYSCEDII’s expertise in developing web-based collaboration,
simulation, and visualization infrastructures enables decision
support both before (e.g. facility design, evacuation planning,
reconfigurable systems design) and after (e.g., damage
visualization, distributed decision support) extreme events.
NYSCEDII’s research in coupling complex system simulation
with visualization and human-computer interfaces (HCI) supports the
development of interactive training simulations for first
responders and the assessment of extreme events. Previous
applications have included the simulation and visualization of
volcanic eruptions/flows and critical infrastructures within
hospitals.
