�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ - College of Science - News - �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ signs MOU with Dassault Systèmes to bolster workforce development for high-demand technology and manufacturing sectors

2024-12-12T08:17:28-06:00

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ) will provide its students and faculty with world-class applications for product design, simulation and collaboration through an MOU with Dassault Systèmes

Bailey Shaffer to earn degrees in sociology, biology from �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ on road to medical career

2024-12-10T08:17:28-06:00

A family health emergency early in life pointed Bailey Shaffer toward a medical career path. She’s set to reach a major milestone on Dec. 16

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ scientists help unveil dynamic gamma-ray emissions in tropical thunderclouds

2024-12-06T08:17:28-06:00

Researchers from the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ) have partnered with atmospheric scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to make groundbreaking discoveries about gamma-ray emissions from thunderstorms.

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ will award an estimated 994 degrees during commencement ceremonies Dec. 16 at the VBC

2024-12-03T08:17:28-06:00

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ) will award an estimated 994 degrees during its fall commencement ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 16.

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ atmospheric researchers find disadvantaged urban populations are subject to greater heat stress, poor air quality

2024-11-21T08:17:28-06:00

Researchers at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ) have employed a NASA open-source program to reveal that disadvantaged populations may be subject to greater heat stress and poor air quality.

Pavani Suresh Wins Second Place at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ's Three-Minute Thesis Competition for Research on Machine Learning and Environmental Applications

2024-11-14T13:12:32-06:00

Pavani Suresh, a graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, recently received second place in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ).

Suresh, who presented on "Decoding Nature’s Palette: Machine Learning for Hyperspectral Image Segmentation," was awarded a $200 cash prize in the competition.

The Three-Minute Thesis Competition offers graduate students the opportunity to develop communication and presentation skills while also providing a valuable platform for research students to network, collaborate, and discuss their work in a supportive environment.

“Decoding Nature's Palette—Machine Learning for Hyperspectral Image Segmentation," uses machine learning models to classify environmental components by analyzing hyperspectral satellite images. Hyperspectral imaging captures information across hundreds of spectral bands, allowing each pixel to reveal unique spectral signatures that can distinguish vegetation types, soil composition, and other environmental factors.

“By applying segmentation algorithms, I aim to classify these components accurately, with potential applications in early forest fire detection, optimized crop selection, and hopefully conservation strategies,” Suresh explains.

Suresh is originally from Bangalore, India, and decided to attend �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ after her uncle, an alumnus, attended and had a great experience. “His recommendation turned out to be great and there’s been no looking back,” Suresh says.

When asked why she decided to study computer science, Suresh says she wanted a break from a monotonous IT job. She found computer science “fresh and challenging.” “Pursuing a master’s felt like the perfect way to do that while exploring a new part of the world. Moving to the U.S. was a chance not only to grow academically but also to experience life from a new perspective,” she explains.

After graduate school, Suresh says she plans to apply her thesis to solve real-world challenges. “I’m especially passionate about using technology to support wildlife conservation, help the agricultural sector with crop prediction and soil analysis, and contribute to environmental preservation.”

“There’s a lot of potential to make an impact through machine learning, and I want to be part of that,” she says.

For potential students who are interested in pursing careers in computer science, Suresh advises them to work hard and value their time. “[Time] is a resource you can never get back,” she says. “In a field as dynamic as computer science, starting early opens doors to endless learning opportunities and growth.”

Suresh decided to enter the competition as a way to make her work accessible to a broader audience, particularly those without a computer science background. “ I hoped it would be a strong platform to demonstrate the practical impact of my research, connect with industry professionals, and gather insightful feedback to guide further refinement,” she explains. Suresh says she viewed the competition as an opportunity to explore potential applications for her work, while seeing insights and industry perspectives to enhance its real-world relevance.

“In the end,” she says, “It was everything I’d hoped for and more, fulfilling exactly what I set out to achieve.”

�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ plasma researcher follows up first-of-its-kind study of Alfvén waves with groundbreaking new findings, possibly key to mystery of solar corona heating

2024-11-13T08:17:28-06:00

Syed Ayaz, a researcher at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ), has published a paper in Scientific Reports that builds on an earlier first-of-its-kind study that examined kinetic Alfvén waves.

Dr. Bramwell Brizendine Presents Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Research at DEF CON

2024-11-12T16:31:30-06:00

Bramwell Brizendine, an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department in the College of Science at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ, recently presented at DEF CON and Black Hat Arsenal, two of the top cybersecurity conferences in the world.

Shiva Shashank Kusuma, who graduated with a Master's in Computer Science in May 2024, joined Brizendine at DEF CON and co-presented with him. Brizendine has presented five times at DEF CON, and Kusuma has co-presented twice.

The conferences draw tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe and are held simultaneously in Las Vegas. While thousands of individuals apply to present at DEF CON, only a select few are chosen. While not an academic conference or a traditional venue for publishing academic research, academic speakers often showcase their work at the conference and later find a formal academic venue for publication.

Brizendine explained the highly competitive process for presenting research at DEF CON. “As DEF CON routinely attracts up to 30,000 people each year, you might be speaking in a room with up to a 1000 people or more,” he says. “So if your research is high quality, but too niche or esoteric to attract an audience, it likely wouldn't be selected for DEF CON. As DEF CON attracts thousands of submissions, the review process is extremely competitive, often more so than top academic journals. While DEF CON is not a traditional venue for publishing academic research, academics often showcase their work there and later find a formal academic venue for publication."

“For someone working in cybersecurity, it is always an aspiration to be at Black Hat and DEF CON, to be present and engage with the dissemination of cutting-edge research in the community,” states Brizendine.

Brizendine and Kusuma presented on "Techniques for Creating Process Injection Attacks with Advanced Return-Oriented Programming." This presentation was related to their on-going research with code-reuse attacks and Return-Oriented Programming (ROP), a computer security exploit technique.

“Much of my work has focused on code-reuse attacks,”explains Brizendine. “Think of it like a stereotypical ransom note, where each letter is cut from different pages of magazines or newspapers to compose a message. In code-reuse attacks, the goal is typically to achieve arbitrary code execution and perform unintended actions by repurposing small snippets of existing code.”

Brizendine explained that ROP is commonly used to bypass security measures, particularly in Microsoft Windows environments. “In our research,” he says, “We aimed to push the boundaries of what can be done via ROP, by performing a highly complex set of actions involving numerous Windows API (WinAPI) calls to achieve highly sophisticated, malicious functionality.”

Specifically, the research leveraged more than 30 distinct WinAPI functions to explore multiple methods of process injection, a technique that injects code into a running program to execute it. “For instance, an attacker could compromise Microsoft Word and use it to inject malicious code into another process, such as Discord,” says Brizendine.

The research focused on software exploitation introduced a practical methodology for achieving process injection through a range of innovative techniques. Operating at a low level, every possible way to invoke each Windows API (WinAPI) function using Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) was mapped out. For some WinAPIs, there were as many as a dozen distinct methods for invocation, many of which had never been previously discovered or documented. This contributed to highly novel offensive security research, filling significant gaps in the field.

“The outcome is that if someone wants to attempt process injection via ROP, much of the previously undocumented process has now been established,” explains Brizendine.

Brizendine says he pioneered a method to effectively create custom ROP gadgets, enabling much more complex operations and making process injection achievable via ROP. “In short, we pushed the boundaries of what is feasible to be done purely via ROP in a highly protected, Windows environment. Ordinarly, one might simply try to bypass DEP, allowing shellcode to be executed. We eliminated the need for shellcode or to bypass DEP, allowing for advanced arbitrary functionality to be performed.”

When asked how students benefit from the conference, Brizendine explained that students who watch the conference videos online may develop a stronger interest in cybersecurity courses, potentially more so than they would have without the exposure. “I sometimes bring my cutting-edge research into the classroom, which students get very excited about, though much of my research is fairly advanced and not always easy or practical to incorporate.”

“This work also benefits �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ students like Shiva, who participate in the research and then go on to present at these top conferences themselves. This can significantly enhance a student's profile. For example, many people in Las Vegas at Black Hat and DEF CON were very interested in what Shiva had accomplished by presenting at two DEF CON conferences, providing him with a network of contacts to pursue opportunities after graduation."

Having presented 18 times at top cybersecurity conferences around the world, Brizendine says he believes it’s very important to participate in the top conferences. He has also presented at Hack in the Box and Virus Bulletin.

“I have continuously tried to push the limits of what is possible with software exploitation—some of which is publicly known and some not—and to introduce new innovations and techniques in reverse engineering,” he says.

“I strive to bring this excitement to students—both those who work with me and those in the classroom—to instill a sense of wonder and encourage them to go significantly beyond the boundaries of traditional coursework. Historically, this has led to my students presenting their own work at Black Hat, with or without my assistance, or pursuing a Ph.D. they would not have otherwise considered without my encouragement.”

Bridging the Recycling Gap: The Story of �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ’s Student Recycling Initiative

2024-11-11T10:22:30-06:00

In spring 2023, Kathryne Bellingrath, a University of Alabama in Huntsville junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry, recognized a need on campus when she learned of a disconnect between existing facilities and effective recycling solutions.

After a proposal assignment in her technical writing class, Bellingrath consulted with her former economics professor and laid the groundwork for what would become the Volunteer-Based Recycling (VBR) program. Over the following year, the initiative flourished. The group expanded its reach and membership while adapting to the evolving needs of campus. During this time, Dr. Themistoklis Chronis, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, took on the role of the Faculty Advisor for the group.

“On the Lab side, Bellingrath explains, “We have Dr. Huseynov as the [Principal Investigator] for The VBR Lab working with the Head of the Polymer Processing Initiative, two rotating morning Material Prep teams, the afternoon Materials Prep team, a Grind team, two Polymer Processing teams, and the Equipment Management Team under them.”

“We also have a rotating team of volunteers who collect from the recycling bins around campus, which is considered a gray area between the Business and Lab sides.”

Bellingrath, who is from New Hope Alabama, says she believes the biggest threat facing human survival is plastic pollution. “While we should strive to decrease our production of plastic, that can only do so much,” she says.

As she continues to explain the goals of the organization, Bellingrath says, “We must start chipping away at the accumulated plastic in our environment.” The VBR has a strategic plan to increase �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ’s Landfill Diversion Rate for Type 1 plastic to 29 percent by taking primarily disposable sources and reprocessing them into more permanent fixtures within the campus community.

Through doing this, Bellingrath says the Polyethylene Terephthalate, which is a synthetic fiber used in plastics and clothing, can be kept out of landfills. “We hope to achieve the 29% Landfill Diversion Rate and fully implement non-harmful polymer breakdown methods by 2031.”

Benjamin Williams, a junior chemistry major with a biology minor, says recycling is also about reprocessing. “Recycling is interesting to me because I like the idea of reusing materials for other purposes instead of just disposing of them.”

Jalynn Whitfield, the VBR Vice-President, who is a junior double majoring in sociology and communication with a minor in psychology, says she became interested in recycling as a way to protect the environment. “It is a small but great way to take care of the world we are living in and ensure that it continues to be here for future generations,” she says.

Whitfield, who has lived in Huntsville for the past 12 years, says sustainability is a big factor in the recycling process. “Sustainability processes are slowed down when there aren’t means to make them happen. In conversations with classmates, friends, and even professors, I’ve heard people express a desire to help create more sustainable options or participate in sustainable programs.”

The organization aims to eventually build a collective Green Fund program, similar to the ones seen at other universities. “Mississippi State is an example of a university that has had a successful Green Fund going for years, and it has allowed MSU to make great strides in creating a sustainable campus and raise awareness of their existing sustainability programs and departments,” Whitfield explains.

Bellingrath says the VBR plans to have a “Sip and Speak with the VBR,” event where other students can learn more about the organization. “We’ll be posting more about it and all of our event, members, and equipment modifications on our Instagram @uah_vbr,” she says.

Huntsville recycling expert Moriah Fordham, says she appreciates the group for working toward a more sustainable campus. “Recycling items like paper products, aluminum cans, and glass is a powerful way to conserve natural resources by reusing materials and reducing the need for virgin resources like timber, water, and minerals. It also requires less energy to create new products, making a meaningful difference for our planet.”

“Every small choice we make—such as using a reusable water bottle, opting for digital materials, or sorting recyclables—adds up to a significant reduction in waste. By consciously choosing sustainability in our daily lives, we can build a cleaner, greener community and inspire those around us to join in. A recycling program on campus not only helps reduce waste but also cultivates a culture of sustainability, empowering students and faculty to make a positive impact on the environment and embrace their responsibility for our planet’s future—an opportunity we can all celebrate and prioritize.”

National Space Club taps �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ Eminent Scholar Dr. Gary Zank to receive 2024 Distinguished Science Award

2024-11-05T08:17:28-06:00

The National Space Club (NSC), Huntsville Chapter, has selected Dr. Gary Zank at �鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ (�鶹��Ʒ��Ƶ) to receive the 2024 Distinguished Science Award.