CERSER 2016-2017 :: Tatyana Matthews

Enhancing Interactivity and engagement to the Science Gateway Community Institute Workforce Development Site

Keywords: SGCI, Science Gateways Community Institute, Bootstrap, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, Liferay, widgets, components
Mentor: Jeff Wood
Spring 2017
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1617/teams/mmt/index.html
Abstract
The Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) on the campus of Elizabeth City State University is currently partnering with the San Diego Supercomputing Center and the Science Gateways Community Institute (SGCI). One of the five areas of SGCI is the Workforce Development led by Dr. Linda Hayden, the CERSER Principal Investigator. The Workforce Development aims to increase the development pipeline of young professionals and engage the potential of students from underrepresented groups.

As science today grows increasingly computer based, it poses challenges and opportunities for researchers. Scientists and engineers are turning to gateways to allow them to analyze, share, and understand large volumes of data more effectively. The existence of science and engineering gateways and the sophisticated cyberinfrastructure (CI) tools together can significantly improve the productivity of researchers. Most importantly, science gateways can give uniform access to the cyberinfrastructure that enables cutting-edge science. The goal of the web development team was to increase the interactivity of the SGCI Young Professionals site to attract potential members and disseminate information. This was completed utilizing WordPress Widgets to provide graphical and interactive components. Bootstrap components (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) were also researched for their inclusion into the current WordPress Content Management System (CMS) and the future Liferay CMS.

Software Engineering Intern at Apple in Cupertino, California

Manager: Hong Zhu
Summer 2016
http://nia.ecsu.edu/sp/1617/matthews/internship.pdf
Abstract
During the summer of 2016, I worked as a software engineering intern for Apple in Cupertino, California. This project consisted of developing a web application utilizing JavaScript, REST API, and tools such as Redux and React. The experience was provided through a scholarship program designed between a partnership with Apple and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), known as the Apple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars Program. The scholarship opportunity provided recipiants wtih an Apple HBCU Immersion experience in Cupertino and a 12-week summer internship with Apple. The award also provided a need-based scholarship award, various development activities to help prepare for post-graduate careers, mentorship under two experienced Apple employees, and the chance to serve as Apple Ambassador during senior year on one's HBCU campus in order to build awareness for the Apple and TMCF HBCU initiative.

My department chair, professors, and peers who strongly encouraged me to apply for the wonderful opportunity introduced the program to me. The application process involved a series of questions pertaining to background and technological interests, writing an essay, and submitting a resume as well as an unofficial transcript, and an interview with Apple employees. Out of 1,600 applicants, 32 HBCU students were selected to join the program in the inaugural class of scholars.

Quantifying Sargassum Boundaries on Eastern and Western Walls of the Gulf Stream Protruding Near Cape Hatteras into Sargasso Sea Bermuda/Azores

Mentor: Andrew Brumfield
Spring 2016
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1516/teams/sargasso/
Abstract
The Sargasso Sea has been an ocean life habitat for millions of years, yet accurate assessment of the boundary area and detection of these relatively small sea surface features using Landsat series and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments have been found to have difficulty or even be impossible due to lack of spatial resolution, coverage, recurring observance, and algorithm limitations to Identify pelagic species of Sargassum. Sargassum rafts tend to be elongated, curved in the upwind direction and warmer than the surrounding ocean surface. Long weed 'trails' extending upwind from the rafts are evidence of plants dropping out and being left behind. Satellite data Utilizing a simple ocean color indexes such as the floating algae Index and Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) have been established to detect floating algae in open environments using MODIS instruments. Floating Algae Index (FAI) has shown advantages over the traditional NDVI and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) because FAI is less sensitive to changes in environmental and observing conditions (aerosol type and thickness, solar/viewing geometry, and sun glint) and can see through thin clouds. The baseline subtraction method provides a simple yet effective means for atmospheric correction. The algorithms assisted in identifying the boundary area of the Sargasso Sea and the path of this floating algae past Cape Hatteras into the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the fact that similar spectral bands are available on many existing and planned satellite sensors such as Landsat series observations satellites, the NDVI and FIA concept was extendable to establish a long-term record of these ecologically biological dependent ocean plants.

Investigating the Security Risks and Vulnerabilities of an Android System

Keywords: Android System, malicious attacks, vulnerabilities, Android System security
Mentor: Dr. XiaoFeng Wang
Summer 2015
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1516/summerinterns/matthews_Android_poster.pdf
Abstract
Android System is a mobile open-source operating system (OS), developed by Google, utilized by a large community of users from around the globe. Due to its free and vast ecosystem, users with good intentions as well as criminals have taken advantage of the OS, unfortunately, implementing malicious attacks on many of Android’s vulnerable applications. Because of security risks and exposures facing Android OS, the primary concern has been exploring methods that enable Android to remain open-source and sustain a high level of security. As a result, this research investigates the recent vulnerabilities and security risks of Android System, in addition, utilizes one of vulnerabilities explored (CVE-2014-3500) to design and conduct an attack via application on Android mobile device. Essentially, this study will produce familiarity with how Android System security is approached and operated to keep the operating system secure for its users.

Remote Sensing Archaeological Sites through Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Imaging

Keywords: archaeology, aerial imagery, DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, drone, remote sensing, UAV
Mentors: Edward Swindell, Dr. Malcom LeCompte
Spring 2015
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1415/teams/uav/
Abstract
Advances in technology and lowering cost make drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), appealing platforms for remote sensing. Data acquired through these technologies have broad appeal and widespread application across many industries and disciplines. Archaeologists have used aerial imagery derived from many sources as a means of identifying sites and ancient landscapes, yet this imagery has traditionally been acquired through satellite and aircraft platforms making cost and time a primary concern. For this reason, the availability of inexpensive UAVs afford archaeologists access to obtaining their own data at a fraction of the cost. However, are they effective? For the purposes of this study, the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ UAV, along with supporting software, was evaluated for its ability to create visible light imagery and elevation datasets useful in remote sensing archaeological sites. To test its effectiveness, a site was chosen in Bertie County, North Carolina discovered in 2007. The Salmon Creek site (31BR264), as it is known, is partially understood from previous archaeological studies as the location of a 16th Century Native American village. This previous work provided a foundation which our results could be tested and evaluated against and proved important to our interpretation of the data. The project not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the UAV to acquire usable datasets, but contributed to the ongoing research.

Apache Big Data Stack

Keywords: Apache Big Data Stack, Chef, FutureGrid, Big Data
Mentor: Scott McCaulay
Summer 2014
http://cloudmesh.github.io/reu/projects/bigdata.html
Abstract
As the amount of data generated around the world continues to accelerate by the second, the more the term Big Data finds its way into scientific conversation. Because of this tremendous surge, it has become imperative that such mass data use “computing power and space” for it to be processed, analyzed, and serve other purposes. Hence, in order to meet head-on the enormous challenges rendered by Big Data, open source software from the Apache Foundation is evaluated as a “Big Data Stack” to support scientific computing. The approach to handling the complications surrounding Big Data involve installing and testing as many open-source software packages from the Apache Big Data Stack as possible on FutureGrid machines and later making those packages accessible utilizing Chef. The packages will be built into projects and from that point Chef will be used to transform the infrastructure of each project’s code, making it agile and accessible through a network of servers. Essentially, this research will demonstrate how the Apache Big Data Stack can be used and applied to solve complex problems regarding Big Data.

Configuring and Customizing the HUBzero Experience

Keywords: HUBzero, gateway user experience
Mentors: Je'aime Powell, Justin Deloatch
Spring 2014
http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1314/teams/hubzero/
Abstract
HUBzero is an open source software package used to construct websites for scientific research and educational activities. HUBzero was originally created by researchers at Purdue University in conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSF) who sponsored the Network for Computational Nanotechnology to support nanoHUB.org. The HUBzero platform currently supports over 40 hubs across a variety of disciplines, including cancer research, biofuels, climate modeling, water quality, education, and more.

The team investigated how HUBzero features are utilized for research, education, and scientific collaboration. The project involved configuring and customizing the user experience on a new hub. The team also learned how to work with simulation workspaces, plus the process of allowing groups to collaborate. Finally, the team learned how to publish the hub so that it could be viewed publicly and how to use the new database component.

To accomplish this, the HUBzero team members used data collected by the 2013 Research Experience for Undergraduates Pasquotank River Watershed Team who completed tests of five tributaries and the river itself. Streams tested were Newbegun Creek, Knobbs Creek, Areneuse Creek, Mill Dam Creek, and Sawyers Creek. The team uploaded test data to a database to determine how HUBzero handles databases.