FB96 THE INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Boston College Fact Book, 1995-1996
Contact:  factbook@bc.edu 
Date Posted: Feb 15 1995
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THE INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Formed in 1954, the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR) is
the largest sponsored research center at Boston  College. With
annual funding peaking at four and a half million  dollars in
1992, the ISR has provided the Department of Defense and NASA
with a team developing data support  systems for numerous space
missions, as well as conducting theoretical research also in
space studies sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  
The work of the team includes the development of all elements
encompassed in a data management plan for a space mission. A
typical plan  describes the data processing efforts and
management  concepts required to generate databases for
researchers to  analyze flight results, including the
development of database structures, algorithms, software, and
validation  procedures.

ISR's professional staff holds advanced degrees in geophysics,
mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, engineering, and
applied statistics. Over the course of its history, the
Institute has utilized this diversity of knowledge to develop
highly sophisticated techniques for analyzing raw scientific and
engineering data and presenting it in meaningful and useful
ways. Using state-of-the-art analytical tools and technology
including computer-generated modeling, the Institute is a
forerunner in scientific data analysis and interpretation using
statistical data analysis, digital signal processing and image
processing; mathematical signal modeling; animated visualization
of real and simulated data; the manipulation and interpretation
of scientific images; and the design of specialized databases,
data management techniques, and interactive scientific software.
 Many undergraduate and graduate students have augmented their
academic knowledge through association with our team in this
research environment.
 
In furthering the development of scientific knowledge, ISR
employs the most sophisticated solution approaches -- fractal
geometry, chaos theory, wavelet analysis, and neural networks.
Recent advances in the way scientists look at nonlinear dynamic
systems are revolutionizing the way researchers view many other
kinds of evolutionary processes; in finance and economics and in
the physical and environmental sciences.

The ISR has the skills and resources to answer research needs
within the realm of earth and space sciences, environmental
studies, biomedical studies, and financial and economic
analyses.