The Radiation Effects Group (RER) at Vanderbilt University was established in 1987 and is the largest program of its kind in the U.S.  It is the only academic program actively involved in supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) in radiation effects for strategic applications, and one of a very few programs involved in microelectronics research for space applications.  In January 2003, the Radiation Effects Group established the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) in order to extend its capabilities to serve government and commercial customers.