Name

Program

Research Interests

Description

Potential Contribution

Akbar, Shahzad

sakbar@vsu.edu

Computer Engineering

Sensors, microelectronics, MEMS, wireless, fiber optics

Research on MEMS and fiber optical sensors interfaced to microelectronic circuits for control and wireless communication with a remote station. If we had a NEES shaker system, our present system for routine monitoring of the structural integrity of a bridge could be extended for use during earthquakes

With my expertise in sensors, GPS and fiber optics, I can set up a versatile wireless or wired sensor network capable of assessing the structural integrity of bridges and buildings forroutine maintenance status determination and for detection and communication during emergencies such as earthquakes and terrorist attacks.

Ansari, Jahangir

jansari@vsu.edu

Manufacturing Engineering

Structural Vibration, Modal Testing and Analysis, Finite Element Analysis, Structural Heath Monitoring

Studies of structure collapse behavior are very important in order to reduce the number of casualties that occur during earthquakes. The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been considered the main tool for studying structural buckling behavior.  Dynamic behavior of tall structures will be considered and detailed investigation will be made on the vibration behavior of such structures both by FEM and Modal Analyses.

Computational study on dynamic behavior of steel structures (bridges, tall buildings, plant equipments) subjected to seismic loads to identify the sensors locations on the structures. Study on simulation of seismic performance of steel structures. Establish undergraduate research on vibration behavior and structural health monitoring systems.

Chen, Hui

hchen@vsu.edu

Computer Science

Systems, networking, simulation, applied computing

Studied networking with focus on wireless networking. Designed caching and content delivering schemes aiming at mobile distributed systems interested in interdisciplinary research with Earth science published more than 10 refereed journal papers and more than 20 conference papers

Being a geophysicist turned computer scientist, I have worked in earthquake location/relocation and seismic tomography for years. I am interested in interdisciplinary research with Earth science, particularly, 1) using distributed system to data analysis and management, 2) using sensor networks to conduct in-network computation and facilitating data query.

Etop, Florence

fetop@vsu.edu

Physics

Material Science (Organics), thin films & Photonics (optics)

My research involves growth of organic thin films using organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD) technique. The films are studied both ex-situ and in-situ Ellipsometer for their optical properties. The goal of this research is to fabricate photonic and optoelectronic devices as well as fabricating optical sensors for radar detections.

Materials as well as sensors developed could be potential useful to understanding failures as well as structural defects of various building, bridges and well as earth quarks studies. The information generated from the study could potentially by valuable when the physics behind earth quarks is understood.

Javidi, Giti

gjavidi@vsu.edu

Computer Science

Visualization, Simulation Design, Virtual Reality, Education

My research interest spans two closely related areas: Visualization for (a) Educational Technology, and (b) Human (HCC). I am also interested in usability engineering. Currently, I am investigating the application of various  techniques to visualize and analyze scientific data and information.

The amount of data generated in earthquake simulations is quite substantial. Visualization of such data is still very challenging. I will investigate algorithms and use visualization techniques for data analysis of structures affected by earthquakes. I can also contribute to educational and outreach activities.

Kim, Yoon

ykim@vsu.edu

Computer Engineering

Wireless Sensor Networks Hardware and Software

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a wireless network consisting of spatially distributed autonomous sensor nodes including microcontroller, radio transceiver, and sensors. Dr. Kim is currently working on sensor node design including embedded microcontroller, high-speed data acquisition, sensor interface, low-level device driver coding, and application

Data acquisition of tri-axial vibration wirelessly using sensors and wireless networking technology.  Embedded systems hardware & software, low-noise instrumentation analog circuit design.  Research result: Yoon Kim, et al., "Vehicle Identification using Discrete Spectrums in Wireless Sensor Networks," Journal of Networks, vol.2, issue 6, 2007 (To appear)

Lai, Shuhua

slai@vsu.edu

Computer Science

Computer Graphics,  Visualization, Image Processing

My research aims at problems in modeling, rendering, computer aided design, computer animation, visualization, and digital imaging. More specifically, my research interests focus on developing algorithms and techniques for visualization and operations of any 3D objects. I have worked on several NSF funded projects, published some journal and conference papers.

I could contribute to the NEES Research Projects in the following areas: l Modeling and Visualization of collected earthquake related data information l Data processing and sharing l Virtual reality simulation of earthquake and its damages to civil infrastructure.

Sarkar, Abhijit

asarkar@vsu.edu

Physics

Statistical mechanics applied to biology

I use statistical mechanics to study biological systems. Examples include the study of biopolymers like dna and rna, analyses of biological networks, and neural network systems.

Mainly, I see collaborations that may help me design experiments related to my research, and develop material that I can use in teaching my introductory physics and advanced physics lab classes.

Sheybani, Ehsan

esheyban@vsu.edu

Computer Engineering

Wireless Sensor Signal Processing & Analysis

Applying modern digital signal processing and data analysis techniques to wireless sensors, networks, and visualization algorithms. Also, interested in educational (DE) and outreach activities at all levels.

Given the abundance of data gathered at NEES sites, the PI will apply modern DSP techniques to obtain useful information about the ways earthquakes affect different structures. The research will include effective use of sensors, sensor types, visualization of data, educational, and outreach activities.

Slaughter, Gymama

gslaughter@vsu.edu

Computer Engineering

Biosensors, sensors,  wireless networks and K-12 Outreach

An interdisciplinary research development plan focusing on the design, fabrication, and a wireless in-vitro characterization of an amperometric biosensor designed for therapeutic drug monitoring. Under-represented undergraduates and high school seniors participate in my research program, where they are prepared for successful careers in engineering through the integration of research and education.

To develop a plan to implement an integrated engineering bridge health research (one of our Capstone Design project) that is composed of the VSU undergraduates and high school students (HS through our pre-college program, RAPME). I will like to accommodate the diverse learning styles of the participants and incorporating active learning into NEES research.

Toni, Bourami

btoni@vsu.edu

Mathmatics

Differential Analysis, Dynamical Systems and Applications

Bifurcation of Critical Periods and Limit Cycles, Isochronicity, and Cyclicity of Isochronous Centers (In relation to Hilbert’s 16th Problem). Abstract Differential Equations in Banach spaces: Periodic, Almost Periodic, Almost Automorphic solutions to parameterized Evolutions Equations. Applications of Bifurcation Theory to Partial Differential Equations. Feedback Loops/Circuits Analysis using Signed Jacobian matrix. Nonlinear analysis in Biosciences including pharmacodynamics and medicine

I have experience working with applied researchers in biological systems applying Feedback Loops/Circuits Analysis using Signed Jacobian matrix, as well as with researchers in Physical Chemistry, Pharmacodynamics and Medicine. See attached CV. I would like to join any team with the above interests, including analysis of PDE systems.

Williamson, Keith

kwilliamson@vsu.edu

Mechanical Engineering

Friction Stir Welding and University/K-12 Partnerships

(a) Materials Science: Thermomechanical processing, modeling and characterization of materials. Properties and performance assessment of welded joints fabricated by fusion and thermomechanical stir processing. Mathematical modeling of wound-healing, stir welding, and phase change.  (b) Engineering Education: Integrated first year curricular, ABET 2000, cooperative learning strategies and socio-constructivist pedagogy. University / K-12 partnerships for teacher professional development and retention.

Investigating the effects of aging (materials degradation) on structural integrity.  Curriculum development