Within this talk, I discuss two broad areas of work. The first part of the talk will be devoted to wireless sensor networks, and will include discussion of challenges and opportunities in sensor network design and management, especially those related to power availability, reliability, accessibility and cost. The talk will then highlight a few designs and applications to which wireless sensors seem particularly well-suited to offer value.

The second part of the highlights the use of simulation modeling frameworks such as system dynamics, agent-based modeling and decision analysis for addressing complex policy and decision-making challenges, particularly in the area of health. We discuss opportunities for computer language engineering in enhancing such frameworks, analysis tools and the decision making that is based on them.

Nathaniel Osgood is a research associate and senior lecturer at MIT. He has worked in a variety of consulting and academic positions in software development and policy modeling and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. His current work includes software development to improve existing modeling tools, the formulation of model analysis techniques, and model applications in the health policy and telecommunications policy arena. He is also involved in the engineering, application and management of wireless sensor networks. [an error occurred while processing this directive]