Projects
MRAC has Experience with Academic Institutions, Corporate Industries, and Government Agencies
Applied Research
MRAC has expertise in developing, overseeing, and conducting multi-site research protocols in a variety of settings.
MdTF
Biometric Studies at the Maryland Test Facility
MRAC oversees human subjects testing at the Maryland Test Facility (MdTF) and other locations including responsibility for all Institutional Research Board (IRB) requirements, as well as human volunteer recruitment, screening, scheduling, study execution, data entry, and assisting with final reports.
FAST
Future Attribute Screening Technologies
The FAST program developed innovative, noninvasive technologies to screen individuals at special events, security checkpoints, and other secure locations. MRAC created a scientifically-based theory for the initiative, determined the sensors necessary to screen individuals, and created a research paradigm to evaluate the theory. MRAC also developed and coordinated all aspects of the research, including overseeing various research projects across the country.
Credibility Assessment Investigations
MRAC conducted a series of studies investigating psychophysiology, credibility assessment, and interviewing. A team of over 20 research staff members engaged in participant recruitment, screening, data collection, analysis, and final reports for multiple studies. MRAC consulted with other internationally recognized collaborators on methodologies and data analysis. MRAC assisted with data analysis and authored Government final reports and manuscripts for publication. In addition, MRAC oversaw various research projects across the country.
SP♠DE
The System for Prediction, Aggregation, Display, and Elicitation
SP♠DE was a collaborative effort between MRAC, Draper Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that employed novel aggregation techniques with the goal of outperforming traditional intelligence forecasting models. This was a federally funded, interactive, online research study sponsored by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).
Interviewing and Assessment Training
MRAC provides training and certification for Motivational Interviewing and clinical assessments.
MI
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing was originally created to increase motivation and decrease resistance when working with individuals with substance use disorders. Extensive research has been conducted on specific interview techniques that result in increased communication and decreased resistance in a variety of settings. Previous work has shown that individuals with various levels of experience can be trained to apply these techniques when interviewing individuals and facing resistance. MRAC has been providing MI training for over 25 years.
TAD
Treating Addictive Disorders
This treatment approach includes several evidence-based methodologies including Motivational Interviewing and Coping Skills Training for individuals with substance use disorders. This approach can be applied in individual or group settings. MRAC has provided this training for academic and government institutions.
TLFB
Timeline FollowBack
The TLFB is a method of collecting detailed histories of daily alcohol use over a specified period of time (e.g., previous 30, 60, or 90 days, since last assessment, etc.) MRAC has provided training, certification, and quality assurance to academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies for large scale clinical trials for over 25 years.