As an African American, and a woman, education is essential tool in gaining success in today’s society. Possessing knowledge is something that cannot be revoke but acquiring knowledge is only gained by one’s desire to know more about the world we live in. The importance of education is vital to my future goals and aspirations in the next ten years. By furthering my education this leads me to a successful growth and development in my future academic career and research career.  
My name is Unquiea B. Wade and I am a junior Computer Science major with a minor in GIS Remote Sensing at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  As an undergraduate student researcher for the Center for Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER), my main objectives are to acquire research and internship experiences that will contribute to my career in the field of computer science.   

When I began my undergraduate career, I was accepted in the Office of Naval research program. This program provided me with remote sensing training, career development seminars, and graduate school preparation. In addition, the program exposed me to various research opportunities, all of which tended to reinforce and solidify my intense interest in computer science. I have been afforded me to conduct five research projects while attending Elizabeth City State University.  

In the summer of 2007, I was an intern in the Undergraduate Research Experience through CReSIS (Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets) at the University of Kansas. The project was entitled: “Investigations of Power Sources for the Polar Seismic Tetwalker.” The objective of my project at CReSIS was to merge the TETwalker platform and technology with seismic surveying to acquire polar seismic data in an innovative fashion. The first objective of this project was to identify reliable power sources for a swarm of TETwalkers. 

During the 2006-2007 academic year, I conducted a research project entitled “Correlations Between the Concentrations of Chlorophyll α in Surface Waters and Dissolved Oxygen in Bottom Waters of The Northern Gulf of Mexico.” The objective of this project was based on the hypothesis that there is a linear correlation between the concentrations of chlorophyll a in surface waters and dissolved oxygen in bottom waters.

During the 2005-2006 academic year, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Experience at Elizabeth City State University led by Dr. Linda B. Hayden. I conducted a project using Linux based program called "Ubuntu” .The project entitled “Using a passive network discovery to fingerprint vulnerabilities within Ethernet broadcast frames was to increase awareness of vulnerabilities effecting URE program server”.  In the summer of 2006, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Experience through CReSIS (Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets) at the University of Kansas. The project was entitled: “Airborne Measurement of Snow Thickness Over Sea Ice”.  The objective of my project at CReSIS was to process the airborne measurements of snow thickness over ice, using data compiled from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer onboard NASA’s Aqua satellite.  

Having these research opportunities will assist me in my future endeavors of becoming a professor and scientist. Planning and preparing myself for graduate school is one of my main objectives here at Elizabeth City State University. By primarily focusing on computer science, I will be able to enhance my analytical skills.  With a secondary focus in research, this enables me to explore various opportunities in the field of science and technology.

Upon completion of receiving my B.S in computer science at Elizabeth City State University, I hope to attend graduate school in the fall. I plan to enroll in a Ph.D. program where I will study computer science with a concentration in research. One of my objectives is to strengthen my skills in the area of research and development. Later I would like to work in the area of research and development for private industry. It is in research & development that I believe I can make the greatest contribution, utilizing my theoretical background and creativity as a scientist.