Dr. Emre Celebi, Professor and Chair of Computer Science and Engineering, gave a virtual invited talk entitled “Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Melanoma Using Artificial Intelligence” at the Math Awareness Week (April 4-7), organized by the Department of Mathematics at the Palm Beach State College, FL. The theme of the event was Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Addison pledged to match the first $500 donated to the AURS Fund *and* the first $500 donated to the STEM Student Fund. Double your impact and help our students grow!
Donate now at uca.edu/go/DOGAURS or uca.edu/go/DOGCNSMFund or scan the QR code to be taken directly to the CNSM featured funds page!
When you give, we grow! Want to know how your donation to the STEM Student Fund or AURS on Day of Giving help our students grow and learn?
Paul is an AURS recipient in his senior year with a double major in geography and music. When asked about the impact of his AURS award, he said: “Without the AURS fund, I would have never had the opportunity to perform undergraduate research on such a high caliber, especially during such an unprecedented time.” Participation in undergraduate research is a key component to student growth in CNSM! http://uca.edu/go/DOGAURS.#ucadayofgiving #cnsm
Dr. Azida Walker, Physics and Astronomy, has published a new textbook, Physics for Medical Professionals, through Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
“Physics for Medical Professionals is an algebra-based Physics text that can be used to help prepare students for careers in medical diagnostics. Each chapter teaches fundamental physics principles with the use of examples that are more relatable considering the student’s interest to be part of the healthcare industry. The unit chapters start with an introduction that captures the student’s attention and sets the stage for the importance of these concepts to the larger picture. The worked problems in the book show a step-by-step guide to problem solving. Students with absolutely no background in Physics will be able to follow along this process. The goal is the help the students think independently and critically as they apply their knowledge to other word problems. These skills are critical skills to develop to developing a logical approach to problem solving.”
Physics for Medical Professionals
Dr. Ahmad Alsharif, Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, has been awarded an NSF grant for his project entitled “CRII: SaTC: RUI: Towards Trustworthy and Accountable IoT Data Marketplaces.”The award amount is $169,635, and the performance period is 7/01/2022-06/30/2024.
Dr. Alsharif joined UCA in 2018. He teaches Cybersecurity classes such as Introduction to Cybersecurity (CSEC 2300), Introduction to Number Theory & Cryptography (CSEC 3300), Computer Forensics (CSEC 3320), and Cybersecurity Capstone (CSEC 4490).
Science Wednesday: The Science of Leadership – Jan. 26,2022
From love to sports to science fiction, Science Wednesday is where science meets society. Experts come from the Conway community and events are moderated by a University of Central Arkansas student.
Join us on Zoom for our first Science Wednesday of the semester! On Wednesday, January 26th at 6:30 PM, we’re bringing panelists together from across campus to discuss the Science of Leadership in all forms. The event is informal, and public discussion and questions are highly encouraged.
https://uca-edu.zoom.us/j/87844221511
UCA Geographers Awarded NASA Grant to Study Arkansas Delta Irrigation
Matthew Connolly and Marisol Filares measure the height of soybean crops. Photo contributed by Yaqian He and Matthew Connolly.
University of Central Arkansas geographers have received $40,000 from NASA to study how the Arkansas Delta’s declining fresh groundwater supply for irrigation can affect local climates and crop yields.
The study is led by Yaqian He, Ph.D., an assistant professor of geography, and Matthew Connolly, Ph.D, an associate professor of geography, who received the grant from NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Through their research, the UCA team is studying irrigation and climate patterns in the northern Arkansas Delta region, such as Jackson County, Arkansas.
The water supply is essential to life, and no industry knows that more than agriculture. This team of geographers is keen to study the area’s water supply because of its effects on crop production and the climate.
“Arkansas is facing a severe issue with groundwater depletion due to over-pumping for irrigation water,” said He. “We are using our backgrounds in waterways, climatology, and remote sensing, to see if we can find over-irrigation and potential best irrigation practices.”
Yaqian He and Marisol Filares take measurements with a GPS device. Photo contributed by Yaquin He and Mathew Connolly.
“It’s important to study this in the Delta because of its large agricultural productivity and the importance of agriculture on the state’s economy,” Connolly added.
The amount of water involved in irrigation is enormous, and the fertile fields of the Arkansas Delta are dependent on groundwater. About 80% of irrigation comes from under Earth’s surface, He said.
“As agriculture is continuing to develop and the population is growing, water resources may be limited. A sustainable irrigation strategy may be needed for Arkansas,” He said.
The main concern is overdraft that occurs when groundwater is pumped at a faster rate than it can be replaced.
Overdraft can have a dramatic impact on a host of activities. When pumps exhaust the fresher water that stays close to the surface, deeper water that contains higher mineral content and salt reach croplands. This leaves room for potential problems like lower crop productivity, as the salt concentration changes the soil chemistry.
Applying groundwater to crops also creates differences in the climate on a local level—called a microclimate. This happens as the temperature and moisture characteristics are distinctly different from the surrounding region. Groundwater for irrigation also reduces soil moisture and increases water available for evaporation into the atmosphere.
Through their research, He and Connolly are using satellite and drone technology to determine what phenomena are happening in the Arkansas Delta.
Crossing Jackson County, they identified farmland to study with the help of the University of Arkansas Extension Service in Jackson County. This collaboration connected the UCA team to farmers, allowing a more practical understanding of how often farmers irrigated their crops.
He and Connolly hired two undergraduate students, geography major Marisol Filares and environmental science major Caden Rhodes, to join the team. The grant allowed everyone to gain the Federal Aviation Administration’s remote pilot certification needed to fly the drone.
The team conducted fieldwork over the 2021 summer, studying crops on the ground and collecting imagery with satellites technology and a drone. As preliminary results become available, Rhodes creates an interactive map that disseminates information to collaborators. Ultimately, farmers will be able to use the study’s results to make strategic decisions on how often to irrigate farmland.
“One of the goals of this project was to try to help farmers to apply their water more judiciously, so that you’re not overwatering when you don’t need it,” Connolly said.
