Program Director

 

Justin_ZhanDr. Justin Zhan is an ARA Scholar and professor of data science at the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas. He is also a professor at the Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He has been the director of the Big Data Hub and a professor in the Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research interests include data science, biomedical informatics, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, information assurance, and social computing. He was a steering chair of the IEEE International Conference on Social Computing (SocialCom), IEEE International Conference on Privacy, Security, Risk and Trust (PASSAT), and IEEE International Conference on BioMedical Computing (BioMedCom). He has been an editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Privacy, Security and Integrity, and International Journal of Social Computing and Cyber-Physical Systems. He has served as a conference general chair, a program chair, a publicity chair, a workshop chair, and a program committee member for 150 international conferences; he has also served as an editor-in-chief, editor, associate editor, guest editor, editorial advisory board member, and editorial board member for 30 journals. He has published 230 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences and delivered more than 30 keynote speeches and invited talks. He has been involved in more than 50 projects as a principal investigator (PI) or a Co-PI, which were funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, National Institute of Health, etc.

Mentors

 

 

Mentors help students in understanding the overall research approach and theories related to advanced concepts. Mentors are usually Graduate and PhD students who are active researchers in the field of Computer Science and Engineering. These mentors guide the students in doing research from scratch and the necessary tools required for doing research related tasks.

Ben_LoweBen Lowe is a PhD computer science student at the University of Arkansas. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in computer science from University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) where he graduated in 2018. He is a research member of the Data Science Lab and his research interests include deep learning, security, and parallel programming. Ben has been a teaching assistant for operating systems, multiprocessor programming, and computer architecture at UNLV and a mentor for high school student researchers in the AEOP program.

 

 

Hadi_SalmanHadi Salman received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt in 2014 and the Masters of Science degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 2018. His work at UA Little Rock involved topics such as the Internet of Things (IoT), application of green IoT, low-power sensor networks, machine learning, clustering, and optimization.  In 2017, Mr. Salman was awarded outstanding Teaching Assistant award by the Systems Engineering department at UA Little Rock. In 2018, He was awarded Best Master’s Degree Graduate by the Engineering and Information Technology EIT. Currently, Hadi is pursuing Ph. D. in Computer Science at The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. His research interests include topics such as pattern recognition, signal processing, machine learning, neural network learning techniques, and optimization.

 

Alycia_CareyAlycia Carey is currently a candidate for a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and minors in Business Chinese and Mathematics. Alycia began her Bachelors’s degree in computer science in the fall of 2016 at the University of Arkansas with strong interests in networks, cyber security, and cryptography. Currently, Alycia is one of the research members in the Data Science Lab at the University of Arkansas.  Previously, she worked for the University of Arkansas as a Network Security Technician on the Network Engineering Team. In addition to her studies and research, Alycia competes on the University of Arkansas’ Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in cybersecurity with a focus in cryptography.

 

Carson_MolderCarson Molder is an undergraduate computer engineering student at the University of Arkansas. He began his bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2017 with interests in artificial intelligence, big data, and neural networks. Carson is currently a research member at the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas (UA). Previously, from 2017-18, he was a member of the Freshman Engineering Program at the UA where his paper and project both won “Best Overall”. Additionally, Carson is an Honors College Fellow and a member of the Razorback Marching Band.

 

 

Aneesh_KomanduriAneesh Komanduri began pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Computer Engineering and Applied Mathematics in the fall of 2017 at the University of Arkansas (UA) and is projected to graduate in the spring of 2021. Aneesh is passionate about mathematics and the role it plays in theoretical computer science. His interests lie in data science, machine learning, and software engineering. In his free time, Aneesh enjoys developing web and mobile applications and learning more about emerging technologies. Currently, Aneesh is one of the research members in the Data Science Lab at the UA. He has previously worked as a grader for upper level mathematics courses in the department of mathematical sciences. After graduation, Aneesh plans to attend graduate school to earn a Masters or PhD in Computer Science and thereafter work in the industry.\

 

Huy_MaiHuy Mai is an Honors College Fellow on his way to earning bachelor’s degrees in computer science and pure mathematics at the University of Arkansas. Throughout his years at the university, Huy has contributed to numerous programming projects, which includes J.B. Hunt’s Risk Assessment Dashboard website. Currently, with interests in machine learning and data science, he is one of the research members in the Data Science Lab at the UA. In addition to his studies and research, Huy is also a singer for the university’s Schola Cantorum.

 

 

Leonel_Trujillo_FuentesLeonel Trujillo Fuentes is an undergraduate pursuing bachelor’s degrees in applied mathematics and biochemistry at the University of Arkansas. He is currently working as a research assistant at the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab at UARK. His research interest include data science, turbulence theory, and artificial intelligence.

 

 

Noah_BallingerNoah Ballinger is a sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science along with minors in math, music and physics. Noah is a recipient of the Bodenhamer Fellowship and the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship. He is also part of the University of Arkansas Honors College. Noah has strong interests in neural networks, machine learning and artificial intelligence and discovering unique methods in which these can be applied. He recently participated in the J.B. Hunt Hackathon, sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery, and he and his team finished in 5th place. Outside of computer science, he has a wide variety of interests such as soccer, piano and chess. He is the Secretary of the University of Arkansas Chess Club.

 

Noah_JamesNoah James is an undergraduate currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with minors in mathematics and physics at the University of Arkansas. Noah is a member of the Honors College and is an Honors College Fellow with interests in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer graphics, and he is presently involved in visual classification research in the Data Science Lab. Recently, Noah participated in the 2019 J.B. Hunt Hackathon sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery in which his team’s project placed 5th. Aside from his academic pursuits, Noah works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for chemistry under the purview of the CLASS+ organization, and he serves as the Treasurer and web developer for the University of Arkansas Triathlon Club.

 

 

Lecturers

Lecturers help to develop, explain, and execute each teaching module in the UNITE Program. Lecturers are college students from all STEM fields especially with Computer Science/Engineering majors. These lecturers are closer in age than the traditional teacher and create a more relaxed atmosphere for learning. The main task of each lecturer is to provide basic-to-advanced programming theories and guide the students in practical lessons. The responsibilities of a lecturer are to be role models to the students, promote interest in high-level computer science related classes, and act as expert resources concerning college life and career pathways. Lecturers are selected for their technical experience, attitude, and teaching skills.