Edward Parker

Associate Physical Scientist

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in physics, UC Santa Barbara; M.A. in physics, UC Santa Barbara; B.S. in physics, Brown University

One Page Bio

Overview

Edward Parker is an associate physical scientist at the RAND Corporation. He is broadly interested in the societal impact of disruptive technologies, and his current research focuses on emerging quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining RAND, Parker received his Ph.D. in theoretical solid-state physics at UC Santa Barbara, where he numerically modeled exotic magnetic materials that could be useful for building quantum computers. He has also published a research article on machine learning and interned at MIT's office in Washington DC, where he studied the optimal level of federal investment in alternate energy R&D.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Gavin Hartnett, Edward Parker, and Edward Geist, "Replica Symmetry Breaking in Bipartite Spin Glasses and Neural Networks," Physical Review E, 98, 2018

Danielle C. Tarraf et. al., The Department of Defense Posture for Artificial Intelligence, RAND Corporation (RR-4229-OSD)

Edward Parker, "Security Implications of Quantum Communications and Computing," Issues & Insights, 21(SR1), 2021

Publications

Draft
Modeling the Impact of Social Distancing and Targeted Vaccination on the Spread of COVID-19 Through a Real City-Scale Contact Network
Uses mobile device data to construct empirical interpersonal physical contact networks both before and after social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigates how the epidemic responds when part of the population is vaccinated.
Jul 13, 2021
Report
America's 5G Era: Gaining Competitive Advantages While Securing the Country and Its People
Researchers assessing the fifth-generation (5G) wireless ecosystem found important implications of 5G-era devices, networks, and services for securing data and protecting individual privacy.
May 24, 2021
Research Brief
The Department of Defense's Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations for Improvement
In this report, RAND Corporation researchers assess the state of artificial intelligence relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and provide recommendations for the future of the department's artificial intelligence posture.
Jan 26, 2021
Report
How Smart Cities Could Improve Open Data Portals to Empower Local Residents and Businesses: A Case Study of the City of Los Angeles and COVID-19
In this Perspective, the authors provide generalizable strategies that city leaders could adopt to improve the utility of their open data portals to facilitate local access to information and promote community-based problem-solving.
Jul 27, 2020
Report
The Department of Defense Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations
In this report, the authors assess the state of artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to DoD, conduct an independent assessment of the Department of Defense's posture in AI, and put forth a set of recommendations to enhance that posture.
Dec 17, 2019