At Signature Science, we understand that unlocking the full value of statistical approaches to scientific and technical endeavors requires integration of statistical thinking throughout the effort, starting from the very beginning. For that reason, we support National Security programs using fully integrated technical teams where our statisticians work side-by-side with subject matter experts in chemistry, biology, or other relevant technical disciplines to define the problem, develop the technical approach, and deliver a solution. By integrating statistical thinking into the process from the outset, we ensure we are asking the right questions, collecting a sufficient amount of the right types of data, and bringing appropriate data analysis methods to bear on the problem.

Our approach to statistical support draws upon our corporate expertise in applied statistics and measurement data analysis, coupled with many years of experience in the application of this theory and practice to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) sampling and analytical programs. Because our statistical support efforts are tailored to the specific needs and missions of individual programs, they include support in many different technical areas and for many different types of specific applications. These include functions such as experimental design, statistical data analysis, method validation and testing, data tracking and trending, and designing statistical sampling strategies for a variety of threat-monitoring and technology development programs.

Our demonstrated experience in enhancing a broad range of CBRNE programs and problems through the successful application of statistical tools and statistical thinking offers not only enhanced credibility in the eyes of both customers and other program participants, but also an unmatched range of experience on Department of Defense (DoD) programs that benefits our clients through “cross pollination.” Because of the cutting edge nature of the programs we support, we stay abreast of best practices throughout the CBRNE community, putting us in a unique position to integrate those best practices into new programs.

Our Staff
Signature Science has a group of professional statisticians experienced in using statistical methods to bring collection, measurement, and monitoring programs to the next level, providing the technically defensible conclusions that are critical for national security decision making. Our data management specialists, most of whom also have technical backgrounds in math or applied sciences, are experienced in developing, maintaining, upgrading, and querying various types of databases and knowledge management systems including Microsoft Access^®, Oracle^®, and SQL^®. Working together, and with other scientists within Signature Science’s multidisciplinary environment, our statisticians and data management specialists ensure that all of the necessary technical perspectives are brought to bear on the statistical support we provide to our clients. In this way, we are able to take our clients and other key stakeholders beyond blind “number crunching” to meaningful data interpretation.

Statisticians at Signature Science use the powerful computational and graphical capabilities of SAS^® and S-Plus statistical software capabilities, which permit rigorous statistical analysis of data sets of any size or complexity. The graphical capability of these industry standard software packages, coupled with the flexibility of their proprietary programming languages, allows for complex data visualization and exploration.

Applications

Signature Science staff began providing statistics support for the DoD in the early 1990s. Since then we have provided support for the National Guard Bureau Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Critical Reagents Program, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, the Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center, and a number of other DoD organizations. For 15 years prior to that, our staff supported a diverse assortment of environmental sampling and analysis programs. During that time period, Signature Science staff provided statistical support to programs for the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other government organizations, as well as numerous programs for private and commercial clients.