Research
Computer science faculty carry out active research in several areas described below, with business and life sciences applications.
CHOI Lab
Networks and Communications, Room E2261
Research in today's complex communication networks requires study of not only communication and networks but also quantitative modeling, systems science, and mathematical optimization. The lab provides industry-level experience to graduate students and prepares them for analysis, design, optimization, and development of communication networks. The lab's primary research goals include designing and implementing networks to: maximally exploit the nature of the network's medium; provide a certain level of survivability in the presence of fault or attacks; and minimize fault propagation. The lab's research spans three areas: optical networks; wireless networks; and IP networks.
CIOS Lab
Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, E2264
The purpose of the lab is to develop data mining and biomedical informatics tools. The lab has developed a wide array of diagnostic systems, knowledge discovery systems, and programs for computational biology. For example, model of organization and reorganization of the somatosensory cortex, biologically-inspired learning rules and models of spiking neurons. A host of machine learning and discretization algorithms have also be developed. Most recent efforts include development of various bioinformatics tools.
GAO Lab
High Throughput Genomics & Systems Biology, E2266
The lab operates an Illumina Genome Analyzer that can produce one billion base pairs per run in three days. The goals of the lab are to develop high throughput technologies and computational methods in order to advance the study of genomics and systems biology. Specifically, the lab is developing reliable methods to identify sequence variations in: a whole genome; certain regions of a genome; and within a set of genes or a set of specific sites in a genome. Currently, the lab is working on identifying mutations in human head and neck cancer and lung cancer, and in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's and Autism. The lab also conducts research in environmental protection through development of clean and renewable energy.
NAJARIAN Lab
Biomedical Signal and Image Processing, E2260 and E2262
The mission of the lab is to apply advanced signal and image processing, as well as machine learning techniques, to address complex problems. The lab focuses on problems in biomedical sciences such as computer-assisted decision making and biomedical signal/image processing. Complex problems in other applications, such as finance and banking, are also addressed and analyzed. The lab is funded by National Science Foundation and private Health System Organizations. Recent funded projects include two projects on computer-assisted trauma decision making systems. More information on some of these projects can be found at the link above.
This group is investigating the use of fuzzy data to represent subjective information within a relational database. The current project uses subjective terminology (broad, long, etc.) to describe facial features. A natural language interface is then used to retrieve pictures of people based on descriptions of their faces. Problems involved include: how to use learning techniques to correctly associate subjective terms with faces; how to integrate synonyms into the system; and building natural language interface into the DBMS.
PRIMEAUX Lab
Information Security, E2241
This group works in close collaboration with the Virginia State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory and with the National White Collar Crime Center. Our research is aimed at the exploration of forensically sound techniques to obtain information for investigative purposes. The primary goal of the group is the development of tools to address anti-forensics techniques such as steganography, storage on alternative devices, and data obfuscation. A complementary research focus for this group is computer security, for which the goal is the development of strategies and tools aimed at increasing the reliability of systems and information and at appropriately restricting access to system resources. Of particular interest are strategies and tools that build on computational intelligence technologies, with a focus on those threats to security that arise from within the firewall, whether those threats are malicious or unintentional.
WANG Lab
Wireless Networks and Embedded Systems, E2267
The mission of the lab is to develop new algorithms and solutions to address communication problems in large scale networks. The lab focuses on three primary research areas: (1) fundamental communication/networking theory, (2) embedded wireless systems, and (3) network security. The lab has developed simulation tools and wireless sensor device to evaluate efficient network protocols. The lab also conducts research in using wireless sensor networks in environment and infrastructure health monitoring. The lab is currently developing a network device for real time traffic analysis and intrusion detection/prevention.
