NSF CAREER: Fully Adaptive, Physics-Aware RF-Enabled Cyber-Physical Human Systems
The long-term vision of the PI is to become a leader in interactive cyber-physical human systems enabled by radio frequency (RF-CPHS) though integrating artificial intelligence (AI)/ML into fully-adaptive RF transceiver operation to empower innovative CPHS applications involving autonomous vehicles, health monitoring, safety/security and HCI. This vision builds on the PI’s unique, multi-disciplinary background in radar signal processing, AI/ML, and human dynamics, and track-record in innovation, as exemplified by her patent for radar-based sign language recognition.…
Contributors: Erika Steele Sevgi Gurbuz (PI)
NSF RET Site: Engaging and Training Alabama STEM Teachers in Sensing Technologies
Ten (10) middle school teachers from west central Alabama will participate in 8-week summer research experiences (focused on sensing and measurement to align well with middle school science learning objectives) under the mentorship of faculty from the College of Engineering (CoE). Participating teachers will generate middle school science curricula based on their research experiences. Further, this project will advance knowledge of what research and professional development activities are effective at increasing teachers knowledge of engineering…
Contributors: Erika Steele Todd Freeborn (PI) Chris Crawford (Co-PI)
NSF CAREER: Fundamentals of Modeling Deformation Twinning in Polycrystalline Materials Driven by Diffraction-Based Micromechanical Data
The goal of this CAREER proposal is to systematically analyze experimental micromechanical data in order to formulate, implement, and validate a predictive phenomenological model governing deformation twin nucleation and growth at the grain scale, closing a gap that currently exists in crystal plasticity modeling of polycrystalline materials. Insights gained through this work will be integrated in undergraduate and graduate coursework, where students will be trained in the theory of advanced material behavior and state-of-the-art methods…
Contributors: Joan Barth Matthew Kasemer (PI)
NSF: Collaborative Research: Testing Tutor – An Inquiry-Based Pedagogy and Supporting Tool to Improve Student Learning of Software Testing Concepts
Most testing pedagogy approaches in computer science education either provide students with feedback in terms of raw coverage information (i.e., which statements or paths are not tested) or in terms of a list of instructor test cases that were missing from the student’s test suite. Both of these types of feedback are useful, but neither motivate the student to understand why their test suite is incomplete. An inductive learning approach is a better alternative (to…
Contributors: Joan Barth Jeff Carver (PI)
NSF: ART: Innovate UA – Fostering an Entrepreneurial Innovation Ecosystem in Alabama
Innovate UA aims to accelerate the capacity for translational research at The University of Alabama fortifying its role as a flourishing regional innovation ecosystem. Fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial culture on campus that leads to increased technology commercialization, one of the key objectives, will be accomplished through university led private-public partnerships (P3s). The latter amalgamate diverse academia, government, and industry stakeholders to drive technological advancements and address systemic/societal challenges through use-inspired research, thus, unleashing new…
Contributors: Erika Steele Joan Barth Nghia Chiem (PI)
NSF: Innovative Training Enabled by a Research Software Engineering Community of Trainers (INTERSECT)
This project offers workshops that provide training activities aimed at intermediate/advanced Research Software Developers. The goal of INTERSECT is to improve the software skills of those building the research software of tomorrow so that the software is more reliable, accurate, and sustainable. The result of this training will arm a subset of Research Software Developers with the skills and knowledge they need to enter into the growing CI Professional role of a Research Software Engineer…
Contributors: Joan Barth Kelsey Chappetta Jeff Carver (PI)
USDA: Building Adaptive Apparel Competencies into the Higher Education Curriculum
The objective of the project is to provide undergraduate students in the fashion design and merchandising program at UA and University of North Carolina-Greensboro experience with adaptive fashion design for people with disabilities. The project will develop new course modules on adaptive clothing design and marketing and develop a certificate program. This will be the first program of its kind in U.S.
Contributors: Joan Barth Kelsey Chappetta Xiao Tong (PI)
NSF REU Site: Cybersecurity for Emerging Networks in Energy and Intelligent Transportation Systems
The REU is a ten-week summer program during which eight students will participate in research in the security of emerging networks and related areas (3 years, ending in 2026). The program has the goals of recruiting students from institutions with a limited capacity to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students and increasing the numbers of women and underrepresented minorities in cybersecurity.
Contributors: Erika Steele Despina Stavrinos Ahmad Alsharif (PI) Mizanur Rahman (Co-PI)
CDC REACH: Expanding the REACH of the On Track to Wellness Program
The CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches for Community Health Program (REACH) aims to improve health, prevent chronic disease, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with highest risk or burden of chronic disease through community-based activities in the areas of 1) nutrition, 2) physical activity, 3) family healthy weight programs, and 4) vaccination programs. The purpose of this project is to incorporate and expand local level strategies and activities to prevent chronic disease…
Contributors: Sarah Dunlap Janet Brown (PI) Leigh Ann Bray Dayton (PI)
Worlds of Work Evaluation
Worlds of Work (WoW) is an annual career exposition for middle and high school students in West Alabama. The program is sponsored by West Alabama Works, a regional workforce development agency. The two-day event is designed to expose students to career opportunities in the region that are aligned with workforce needs in West Alabama, including manufacturing, education, healthcare, and more. Held at Shelton State Community College, students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on authentic…
Contributors: Joan Barth Stephanie Masters