Description:

The overall goal of this project is to create time-efficient mechanisms for classifying and querying multiple types of solar phenomena. There are several steps in our approach. The first step is to extract informative features from solar images. The second step is to build accurate classifiers for the solar phenomena. Finally, we plan to build an interface that allows querying of TRACE Solar Data repository, which uses the classifiers that have been produced. We are focused on development of querying mechanisms that allow the user to search through solar images based on the image of phenomena, in which he/she is interested.

Description:

The objective of this research is to develop a new document organization technique, which simulates human-like processing of the text information (we focus on the problem of multiple levels of abstraction occurring in our natural language). The proposed approach is driven by recent discoveries in the areas of (1) graph-based data mining, (2) hierarchical clustering, and (3) ontology-based data processing. We want to develop mechanisms allowing for a human-like, sense-based querying rather than to continue development of searches dependent solely on the frequency of matching terms. This should allow a broad range of computer users, who are not experts in the searched topics, to have similar searching capabilities, as the experts have.

Description:

Providing responsive and effective public safety requires highly coordinated and interoperable communications infrastructure and information systems. Achievement of these goals is particularly challenging in rural and sparsely populated areas, where the lack of communications infrastructure, large distances and difficult terrain contribute additional complexities. In this project, we explore the feasibility of using mobile ad hoc networks in rural areas for public safety related emergency communications. Specifically, we are evaluating existing standard ad hoc routing protocols using the real-life rural emergency scenarios and are developing a novel QoS aware protocol to meet all the performance requirements.

Description:

I am currently working on several projects in algorithms and bioinformatics (with one research funding from NSF and another one from NSF of China). One of the problems is to dynamically label a set of sites (to put a label indicating whether it is good for cross-country skiing), this is from GIS applications. For bioinformatics areas, I am currently working on realistic computation of genomic distances (like with gene repetitions), ancestral genome analysis based on PQ-trees, and protein structure alignment using the discrete Frechet distance.

Description:

We are currently investigating problems in protein surface structure prediction (using a novel algorithm for mapping the epitope surface of a protein) and computational methods for investigating the dynamics of gene regulation using DNA microarrays (joint work with Tomas Gedeon in the math department).

Description:

This project focuses on the emerging Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs). Cross-layer design is strongly needed for such a network due to its two special features: dynamic spectrum availability and spectrum heterogeneity. We are conducting a comprehensive study on cross-layer optimization for DSA WMNs, and designing networking protocols under its guidance. Specifically, we concentrate on the bottom four layers of the network stack and seek joint congestion control, routing, spectrum sharing, and power control solutions with the objective of maximizing throughput, achieving certain fairness, and providing QoS support.

Description:

Rick Sojda of the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and I are collaborating on this project. The work involves machine learning and data reformulation to automate the process of detecting birds in radar data. This information can then be used to help determine appropriate (and inappropriate) sites to place windmills. Currently, a master's student (Reggie Mead) is working with us.

Description:

We are engaged in studying algorithmic aspects of optical and wireless networking including proving that certain problems are theoretically difficult and devising new approaches to solving how to efficiently use network resources.

Description:

This project is in collaboration with Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), whose Montana Operations Center is located in Bozeman.  We will develop a Tactical Automation, Assessment, and Performance Support System (TAAP), a software system that will train, monitor, evaluate, and assist operators in complex environments.  An initial customer will be the US Navy.  The Navy will employ TAAP aboard Scaled Improved Performance Sonar (SIPS) ships for training, assisting, and evaluating sonar operators.  TAAP will automate simple and complex tasks, support operator task training and evaluation, and continuously monitor user and system performance in real-world applications and related processes.  In addition, the proposed system will provide recovery after system interruption, collect use and trend data, capture best-practice procedures based on identification and analysis of optimal task performance, and will provide a means to map system states.  This system will build on AAC's existing Navy-funded Phase II SBIR (N03-074), the Supportability Performance and Assessment System (SPAS).

Description:

The Webworks Laboratory, directed by Rocky Ross, is devoted to the design, implementation, and evaluation of teaching and learning resources that can be delivered on the web. Current work focuses on two major aspects:

1. The creation of active learning applets that can be embedded in a web presentation of a topic (e.g., the theory of computing) that allows the learner to interact with and manipulate dynamic models (e.g., finite state automata, context free grammars, etc.) in context.

2. The creation of hypertextbooks---web-based teaching and learning resources that incorporate text, graphics, active learning applets, sound, and video into a seamless whole---that can serve to augment or supplant traditional textbooks in courses.