As an African American woman an education is an essential tool in gaining success in today’s society. Possessing knowledge is something that cannot be revoked 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 for the next ten years. By furthering my education this leads me to a successful growth and development in my future academic and research career.  

My name is Unquiea B. Wade and I am a senior Computer Science major with a minor in Geographic Information Systems/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 the opportunity of conducting five research projects while attending Elizabeth City State University. 

During the summer of 2008, I was a research assistant in the Summer Research Opportunties Program through Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) at the Pennslyvania State University. The research project was entitled "A Comparison of Passive Microwave Derive Melt Extent to Melt Intensity Estimated From Combined Optical and Thermal Satellite Signatures over the Greenland Ice Sheet For 2002". The objective of this research was to compare passive microwave satellite data to optical-thermal satellite data, this comparison was establish to determine if there is a correlation between surface melt extent and surface melt intensity (E-melt) across the Greenland ice sheet. In the summer of 2007 I was an intern in the Undergraduate Research Experience through Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) at the University of Kansas. The project was titled: “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 titled “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 α 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 was titled “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 at the University of Kansas. The project was titled: “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. My main objective at ECSU is to prepare myself for graduate school. By primarily focusing on computer science I will be able to enhance my analytical skills. A secondary focus in research will enable me to explore various opportunities in the field of science and technology. Upon receiving my B.S. in computer science from 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.