Episode 8: The Uncertainty Wrangler

In this episode of DARPA’s podcast series, Voices from DARPA, join program manager Fariba Fahroo of the Agency’s Defense Sciences Office as she discusses how important mathematics can be for, in her words, “keeping our models honest.” By characterizing the uncertainties inherent in the computer models and algorithms we develop to better understand complex phenomena, such as the flow of air over aircraft surfaces and through engines, as well as to design, engineer, and control today’s ever more complicated civilian and military systems, Fahroo tells us how she aims to cultivate modeling frameworks within which these systems can be built and deployed with unprecedented degrees of confidence and insight into their strengths and vulnerabilities.

Om Podcasten

DARPA’s podcast series, "Voices from DARPA," offers a revealing and informative window on the minds of the Agency's program managers. In each episode, a program manager from one of DARPA’s six technical offices—Biological Technologies, Defense Sciences, Information Innovation, Microsystems Technology, Strategic Technology, and Tactical Technology—will discuss in informal and personal terms why they are at DARPA and what they are up to. The goal of "Voices from DARPA" is to share with listeners some of the institutional know-how, vision, process, and history that together make the “secret sauce” DARPA has been adding to the Nation’s innovation ecosystem for nearly 60 years. On another level, we at DARPA just wanted to share the pleasure we all have every day—in the elevator, in the halls, in our meeting rooms—as we learn from each other and swap ideas and strive to change what’s possible.