Computer science students develop smartphone apps

Students in the Computer-Based Honors Program have been working to create and develop smartphone applications. The apps the students are working on are classified as beneficial because they will help those who have health issues or physical disabilities. They range from assisting those with diabetes to helping the visually impaired or blind.

“The smartphone and mobile development space is really interesting,” said Jeff Gray, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science. “Many folks have their own mobile devices, and on more than one occasion, almost everyone thinks ‘I wish I had an app that did XYZ.’ We are seeing this area as a way to motivate and encourage students to learn more about technology in a way that hits their own special interests and taps into their creativity.”

Associate professor of electrical and computer engineering Edward Sazonov has been working with two students on apps relative to physical health.

“We are solving very practical problems here – one is monitoring of food intake,” Sazonov said. “The application that we are developing will be able to detect food intake, compute caloric content of the meal and keep track of daily food intake. The second is monitoring of physical activity.”

Kyle Redding, a senior majoring in computer science, has been working on the Diet Diary app for Android with Sasonov. The Diet Diary app will help users keep track of calories and food intake using sensors.

“The app will be a research tool for Dr. Sazonov,” Redding said. “He is interested in Bio-medical research, specifically using Bluetooth sensors for health monitoring.  The app will help in this area by allowing users to track their caloric intact through manual input or, hopefully, Bluetooth sensor.”

Sazonov said, “We use shoe-based sensors that talk to a cell phone to recognize what the person is doing – for example, sitting, standing or walking – at any given moment of time. Shoe sensors can also be used to accurately predict caloric energy expenditure. Combine that with the food intake monitor, and you have an app that tracks your diet and physical activity for body weight management.”

Michael Robson, a senior majoring in computer science, has been working on an app for people with type 2 diabetes. He began working on the project with UA graduate Samantha Lindsay, associate professor Patricia Wood and former director of instructional technology for eTech Julia Hartman.

“The app is designed to help people with type 2 diabetes, mainly with low health and general literacy levels, learn more about their condition and how to take care of themselves,” Robson said. “Diabetes care is almost 95 percent self-management, and so it is critical that people with diabetes are doing certain things like checking their blood sugar and feet daily in order to insure their health.”

The diabetes app has three parts – a reminder system, “Diabetes Dictionary” and interactive DVD.

“I hope that this app can have a great impact on the University population,” Robson said. “While we are primarily targeting individuals in rural Alabama with low literacy levels, anyone with diabetes or who is curious about the disease can benefit from this application.”

Seniors Leah Boling, Melissa Bowman and Andrea Torske, alongside junior Elizabeth Williams, have worked on the “Digital Eyes” app. The smartphone app was designed to assist those who are visually impaired or blind to get around buildings. Information regarding rooms in the building is spoken aloud after using the smartphone to scan a tap at the entrance of the building.

The students and faculty working on these apps say they hope they will prove to be beneficial to those in the community.

“I have really enjoyed the creative process and learning the new technology,” Redding said. “It has been an incredible, challenging and rewarding experience.”

Gray said, “There is something deeply empowering in knowing that a smartphone app idea has the potential to really help others, as opposed to typical projects in the past that primarily served an academic or course need but really did not have a connection to the community.”

According to Sazonov, some of the apps that have been developed through the CS department are now being used by several research groups around the country.

“I hope that with further development and enrichment of capabilities,” he said, “these apps and wearable sensors will be used in research, clinical practice and even consumer applications.”

print/web 7.20.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/07/20/computer-science-students-develop-smartphone-apps/

Alabama in Cuba Study Abroad Program, a Rare Opportunity for Students

After almost 10 years, the Alabama in Cuba study abroad program continues to provide UA students and faculty with the opportunity to travel and learn in a nation many Americans are not allowed to enter.

Every spring semester, the program, which is directed by UA professor Michael Schnepf, consists of students who are educated on different subjects inside and outside of the classroom.

“We would take cultural excursions outside of Havana, and in Havana too, so we could get the whole picture of Cuba,” said Shelby Calambokidis, a spring 2011 participant.

Calambokidis said they took four classes – two of them University Cuban culture classes, one taught by Schnepf and one Cuban relations class from a Cuban perspective.

“Not a lot of students know about [the Cuba study abroad program],” Calambokidis said. “But, it’s so amazing and such a unique opportunity because it is a country that we don’t have relations with. They have the richest culture. It was an amazing opportunity, and I’m so glad that I did it.”

Carmen Burkhalter, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences senior and senior information officer, said universities and colleges such as The University of Havana are based more on humanity subjects, and participants can learn the similarities between Americans and Cubans.

Burkhalter, who got involved in the program while working in the modern language department, said she hopes the program will continue to grow each year. There will be a big push for recruitment and spreading knowledge about the program early in the fall semester for students of all majors and minors, ranging from political science to music to Latin American studies.

Because of the differences between the democratic U.S. and communist Cuba, participants in the program have to receive national permission to be allowed to travel to the country. Burkhalter said she feels programs like Alabama in Cuba could eventually help ease relations between the two countries.

“I believe that, eventually, travel between the United States and Cuba will be open and free,” Burkhalter said. “In Cuba, [the students are] ambassadors for the Cubans, so that when there is a lifting of the regulations, there will be enough ambassadors from both countries that the transition will be much smoother.

“It may not happen today, it may not happen tomorrow, it may not happen five years from now, but I think eventually it will happen, because I see the young people. The future is in college-aged students, so I think as they get older, they’ll recognize the importance of the relationship of the two countries.”

“It’s such a rare opportunity that you get to visit a communist country and see what that is like,” Calambokidis said. “This is the only country that we’re not legally allowed to visit. If you’re presented with this opportunity, why not take advantage of it? It’s so close to us and it’s such a different, amazing culture.”

To learn more about the program, contact Schnepf at mschnepf@bama.ua.edu or 205-348-4238 or visit as.ua.edu/cuba.

web/print 7.13.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/07/13/alabama-in-cuba-study-abroad-program-a-rare-opportunity-for-students/

Phi Psi Teams Up With Boys and Girls Club

Amid the damage to the West Alabama chapter of the Boys and Girls Club sustained on April 27, the Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Psi has organized a relief and support fundraiser to help rebuild the organization.

Chapter President Conner Barnes and Vice President Ryan Snyder worked to put together a plan that would spread to the fraternity’s national level.

“The original plan was to pitch the idea to our other chapters around the nation and see what they could do to help out,” Barnes said. “When our nationals got word of what we were doing in Tuscaloosa to help out, they wanted to take the idea and spread it to all of our chapters in attendance at a conference this summer, as well as the alumni in attendance.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America are Phi Psi’s nationwide philanthropic partner. Barnes said after they explained their plan to help out the Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama, those at the national headquarters helped make the fundraiser national instead of solely local.

“The damage done to the Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama by the tornado has given Phi Psi an opportunity to focus the efforts of our chapters and Alumni Associations on one Boys and Girls Club,” stated Tryon Hubbard, Alabama alum and national president of Phi Kappa Psi.

Stephen Miller, UA alum and senior unit director at the West Alabama Boys and Girls Club said, “I think it’s important for students to always give back. And, the fact that you have a group of greek guys that want to come out and adopt us as their local philanthropy, I think it means a lot to our kids, to the community, as well as the campus of UA. It speaks volumes about college students that are not only here to get an education, but to give back in the process.”

With the help of UA grad Bo Latham, Snyder and Barnes put together a video telling about their help with the local Boys and Girls Club that is now featured on the national website, phikappapsi.com. Barnes said the video was also featured at the fraternity’s national conference, and an article about their work will be printed in the next issue of the national magazine.

“Our whole goal is to aid those who have been a part of this tragedy,” said Shawn Collinsworth, executive director of Phi Kappa Psi. “Our hearts go out to them…it really affects all of us. We want to make sure that we, as Phi Psi men, are here to help where we’re needed and where we can.”

Hubbard said, “The result of the campaign will be a better facility for the Boys and Girls Club and more focus by our chapter on working with the club in the future. The children served by the club will be the ultimate beneficiaries, not only of the facility, but of the hands-on service by our chapter down the road.”

To support or donate to Phi Psi’s efforts to rebuilding the Boys and Girls Club, visit phikappapsi.com/Today/BoysandGirlsClub.

web/print 7.13.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/07/13/phi-psi-teams-up-with-boys-and-girls-club/

Players staying in shape for lockout’s end

After nearly four months, there is still a National Football League lockout and no professional football in session.

As NFL team owners and the NFL Players’ Association ponder on forming an agreement, players themselves are still putting in work on the field. Former UA football players that are now in the NFL have been working out on their own in preparation for the season once the lockout ends.

James Carpenter lines up against Auburn last season.
UA Athletics

Seattle Seahawks rookie offensive tackle James Carpenter has been working out in Duluth, Ga., at Competitive Edge Sports. He said it’s different doing things on his own, without a coach or teammates present all the time.

“It’s different because I’m used to having coaches pushing me, making sure I get up, but now I have to get up myself,” Carpenter said. “I was always a hard worker, so I have no problem with it, but nobody’s giving me a set time to get up now.”

The New Orleans Saints held team practices without coaches for six weeks, according to Yahoo! Sports report. In an interview last month with ProPlayerInsiders.com, Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram talked about his workouts with his teammates.

“Everybody’s trying to stay in shape and keep the team chemistry there,” Ingram said. “Everybody’s out here working hard and training and getting together, even though we’re locked out. All of the guys, I think, look forward to this, and it’s good to get out here, work with the guys and get to know them.”

As also stated on Yahoo! Sports, players on other teams have been holding meetings, self-organized practice and things of the like. There has been no decision reached between the owners and Players’ Association as of yet, while the first preseason game is set to kick off on Aug. 7.

Other UA alumni players, including Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and punt return specialist Javier Arenas, have been in Tuscaloosa during the lockout. Arenas has been working out, as well as helping out with tornado relief efforts while in Tuscaloosa.

Like many NFL players, Carpenter said he has no idea how close the league is to reaching an agreement, and he’s looking forward to its end.

“I hope it gets done pretty soon, because I’m ready to get to my coach and learn as much as I can and to work out with my teammates.”

Ingram said in the ProPlayerInsiders.com interview, “I think it’s smart [to continue working out] because you don’t know what’s going to happen with the lockout situation. I think, just the fact that most of the guys are training and taking initiative to get themselves in shape is good, because the lockout can be lifted at any time. Just to know that the guys are ready, I think that’s good.”

A recent ESPN report stated that there is belief that an agreement could be reached during the July 21 league meetings that will be held in Atlanta. Some of the issues the two sides are debating are rookie wages and contract lengths. There have been 41 UA alums drafted by the NFL in the past nine years. Five players were drafted this year.

web/print 7.13.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/07/13/players-staying-in-shape-for-lockouts-end/

Student learns to walk again after tornado injury

After suffering a spinal cord injury during the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa on April 27, UA junior Chelsea Thrash is getting back in full physical form and learning to walk again.

Thrash was at Charleston Square Apartments when the EF-4 tornado was pummeling through the city.

Chelsea

“We had tornado warnings all that week, so I didn’t think much of the April 27 one,” Thrash said. “I thought, ‘OK, I’ll go to the bathroom.’”

Then she saw the door of the apartment fly off. The next thing she remembers is waking up in the courtyard of the apartment complex and not being able to feel her legs.

First responder Derek DeBruin and his wife Susan found Thrash lying in the courtyard, receiving assistance from Mayer Electric workers. After placing Thrash on a makeshift stretcher made from a table, they began walking to the triage before a man in a pick-up truck stopped to help.

“These are the people who pretty much saved my life before I got to the hospital,” Thrash said. “I wish I knew who the man in the pick-up truck was so I could thank him.”

Thrash left the triage by ambulance for DCH hospital, where she was diagnosed with a shattered vertebrae and an unprotected spine that was out of place.

She was taken to the UAB hospital and endured 12 hours of surgery before being placed in the Intensive Care Unit.

Since the surgery, after spending 36 days in the hospital, Thrash’s days have included rehabilitation and therapy. She is currently doing rehab sessions at the UAB Spain Rehab Center, where she is making progress towards walking without assistance and is set to begin full therapy sessions soon.

Thrash’s mother Kelle Thrash said Chelsea is doing extremely well and is only weaker on her left side.

Chelsea Thrash has been considered an inspiration to many because of her positive attitude and outlook, including members of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta.

“Chelsea is an amazing, inspiring young woman who has inspired her sisters not only from the moment we learned of her life-altering injuries, but from the minute she pledged herself a sister of Gamma Phi Beta,” said Lauren Whitten, president of the sorority. “Chelsea has bounced back, but until the day she is able to join us again, chatting during chapter or hanging out in our chapter house, she will be flooded with messages of inspiration and encouragement from her sisters and continue to be an inspiration to us all.”

Kelle Thrash said Gamma Phi Beta, the University and many other people have provided assistance to Chelsea and her family financially and emotionally.

“Everybody has been so supportive – all of her friends, her professors, and the university have been extremely supportive,” Kelle Thrash said. “We are so thankful and appreciative for that. It’s overwhelming. We feel so blessed.”

The UA Acts of Kindness relief fund has helped the Thrash family. The Chelsea Thrash Medical Relief Fund was set up at Wells Fargo Bank to help the family with medical bills and costs. The relief fund has a Facebook page for all interested donors.

On healthblog.ua.edu, Susan DeBruin praised Chelsea Thrash’s strength, character and bravery when they encountered her the day of the tornado.

Chelsea Thrash said she looks forward to returning to school in the fall and having another great year at the Capstone.

“I thank everybody for their support and their prayers, because they’ve been heard, and they’ve been granted,” she said. “I’m really excited to get back.”

CBS News will feature Thrash’s story after filming her through her recovery process.

“I feel so completely blessed,” Kelle Thrash said. “I’ve got a very special kid here. She was saved for some particular reason, and I can’t help but just thank God for that and praise him for being there for us and for saving her, and I know that he’s got wonderful plans made for her because she’s such an awesome kid."

web/print 7.6.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/07/06/student-learns-to-walk-again-after-tornado-injury/

Alabama in Bangladesh program wins award

The Alabama in Bangladesh study abroad program, which is through Capstone International Academic Programs, has won the GoAbroad Innovation Award for Best Student Video. The video features UA students at a Bangladesh school, among other photos, and can be found on the program’s website and on YouTube.

Holly Buckner, coordinator of Capstone International Programs, said she was notified of the GoAbroad awards early in the spring semester and encouraged the Alabama in Bangladesh director to apply. Buckner found out in early May that the program was a finalist and accepted the first place award while in Vancouver for the national NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference.

“I was very, very excited,” Buckner said. “I think that these programs really do signify that there is an extraordinary impact on people’s lives when they study abroad, and there is a lot of creativity in international programs right now. There are many amazing faculty doing very unique and interesting programs for students, and this is just one of them.”

The Alabama in Bangladesh program was also a finalist for the GoAbroad Innovative New Program award.

“I am so excited about both our most innovative program nomination and our win for innovative student video,” said Rashmee Sharif, Alabama in Bangladesh program director. “I feel that the immense interest in the Bangladesh program demonstrates a shift away from the traditional study abroad destinations of Europe to developing countries. Studying in a country like Bangladesh really shakes one’s paradigm, and the sights, moments and sounds experienced influence the student’s perception of the world for the rest of his or her life.”

George Guarino, a former graduate assistant at CIAP, assisted in making the video with Tyler Morgan, who participated in the program in 2010. Guarino said it is a great honor to win the GoAbroad award and said it was a pleasure working with Sharif to create the video.

GoAbroad was founded in 1999. The website, goabroad.com, provides extensive information on traveling and all subjects relative to studying abroad or out of the country.

“The unique programs honored by GoAbroad demonstrate advancements in study abroad programming and signify the extraordinary impact international programs have on people’s lives and the creativity of our colleagues in the field,” Buckner said.

Other GoAbroad Innovative Award categories include innovative use of social media and innovation in marketing.

Buckner says she hopes the CIAP continues to provide students with top-notch study abroad programs.

“I hope we continue to offer academically, interesting, unique and varied programs for our students,” she said. “Wherever those programs are, award or no award, I hope they continue to be good, academically-sound and creative programs.”

Students participate in the Grameen Bank’s Basic Training Program while enrolled in the Alabama in Bangladesh summer course. The program, named after the Nobel Peace Prize winner, is designed to teach students the fundamental philosophies and skills to replicate the Grameen Bank model. For more information on other UA international programs, visit international.ua.edu or email studyabroad@ua.edu.

web/print 6.29.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/06/29/alabama-in-bangladesh-program-wins-award/

Alum to teach in Japan in exchange program

Ryan Hicks, a 2011 graduate, has been chosen to participate in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program.

 “I feel very fortunate to be able to graduate and actually have a full-time job waiting for me in this economy,” said Hicks, who majored in geography and minored in Japanese. “JET is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a freshman, so it’s still sinking in that I’m actually going to Japan. I still don’t believe it.”

Hicks will be working as an assistant language teacher in Saka, a city in Nagano prefecture. At one of the public junior high or high schools, he will be “team-teaching” with a Japanese teacher to help students learn English. This provides students with the opportunity to learn from a Japanese teacher as well as a native speaker.

“The main intent of the JET Program is to promote grassroots international exchange between Japan and other countries,” Hicks said. “My job will basically be to promote international exchange/understanding activities in the area.”

The JET program, which is sponsored by the Japanese government, provides Hicks with the opportunity to take Japanese classes and learn more about Japanese society from a different point of view. More than 5,000 U.S. citizens applied to participate in the JET program this year, according to Jessica Cork, advisor for educational and cultural affairs at Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta.

“It’s really competitive to get into the JET program,” Cork said. “The fact that he was accepted into the program is incredible. We only have 46 people leaving from the southeast area. It’s a very prestigious and competitive program.”

Cork said one of the advantages of the JET program is that participants have the opportunity to get immersed in the culture of the country. Hicks is looking forward to seeing a part of Japan that he’s never seen before. Nagano is known for its Japanese Alps and ski resorts.

“I’ve never been to Nagano or Saku, so I’m hoping to see a different side of Japan than the highly-urbanized areas I grew accustomed to last time,” Hicks said. “I’m really interested in checking out some of the active volcanoes in the region and doing some climbing as well.”

This is the 25th year that the JET Program has taken place. The program lasts for one year, and then participants have the choice to stay for up to five years.

This will be Hicks’ second time traveling to Japan. Last year, he interned for the U.S. Department of State at one of the consulates in Japan.

web/print 6.29.11

http://cw.ua.edu/2011/06/29/alum-to-teach-in-japanin-exchange-program/