For the program’s 2023 offering, IoT-SITY hosted 8 undergraduate students from different parts of the country. During the 8 week program, participants performed research related to IoT for smart communities. Participants attended and participated in several undergraduate research symposiums for summer programs not just within UC Irvine, but across the Southern California region.
Learn more about previous participants:
2023
Anton Dmitriev
Anton Dmitriev is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Nalini Venkatasubramanian at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Faculty Mentor: Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Ph.D.
Project Title: Smart Water Data Exchange
Hector Anaya
Hector Anaya is a sophomore at San Diego State pursuing a degree in computer science & AI. This summer he worked with Professor Ian Harris at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science & AI
Home Institution: San Diego State
Faculty Mentor: Ian Harris, Ph.D.
Project Title:
Ilana Nguyen
Ilana Nguyen is a sophomore at Brown University pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she worked with Professor Nalini Venkatasubramanian at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Brown University
Faculty Mentor: Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Ph.D.
Project Title: Senior fall risk assessment using machine learning
Isabella Vallarente
Isabella Vallarente is a sophomore at Virginia Tech pursuing a degree in industrial & systems Engineering. This summer she worked with Professor Solmaz Kia at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Industrial & Systems Engineering
Home Institution: Virginia Tech
Faculty Mentor: Solmaz Kia, Ph.D.
Project Title: Robot Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance in a Neural Radiance World
Jayci Wimmer
Jayci Wimmer is a sophomore at Ball State University pursuing a degree in Computer Information Technology. This summer she worked with Professor Julie Rousseau at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Information Technology
Home Institution: Ball State University
Faculty Mentor: Julie Rousseau, Ph.D.
Project Title: CareDEX- Disaster Preparedness ToolKits
Rebecca Agyapong
Rebecca Agyapong is a sophomore at the University of California, Irvine pursuing a degree in software engineering. This summer she worked with Professor Sergio Gago-Masague at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Software Engineering
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sergio Gago-Masague, D.Engr.
Project Title: Smart Watches
Swagnik Roychoudhury
Swagnik Roychoudhury is a sophomore at New York University pursuing a degree in computer science and data science. This summer he worked with Professor Sharad Mehrotra at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science and Data Science
Home Institution: New York University
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Project Title: Tipper Dashboard
Justin Chen
Justin Chen is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a degree in computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Sergio Gago-Masague at the University of California, Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sergio Gago-Masague, D.Engr.
Project Title: WearBAC
2022
2021
Caleb Johnson
Caleb Johnson is a third-year student at San Diego State University pursuing a degree in computer science. He is currently involved with research at SDSU with Professor Shangping Ren’s lab, as well as here at UC Irvine with IoT-Sity. He plans to enter the workforce after He graduates and comes back to pursue a master’s degree in computer science
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution:San Diego State University
Faculty Mentor: Nalini Venkatasubramanian and Shangping Ren, Ph.D.
Project Title: Integrating IoT within Wastewater Treatment Processes
Project Description: Wastewater Treatment facilities currently do not have a safe or easy way to share data amongst themselves or with other water domains. The SWADE project aims to solve this issue and create a framework for the three water domains (wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water) to share data. The goal of this project is to integrate IoT within wastewater treatment facilities in order to improve operation and data collection within their respective treatment processes, with the aim of using this work with SWADE in the future.
Brianna Hernandez
Brianna Hernandez is a third year Electrical Engineering student, with a communications specialty, at the University of California, Irvine. This summer she is working with Professor Sharad Mehrotra and Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian at the University of California, Irvine on a research project that compresses data selection from sensors.
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Home Institution: University of California Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Ph.D.
Project Title: Compressed Data Collection from Sensors for ZotBins
Project Description: ZotBins is a student lead research project at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) that creates SmartBins with sensors that collect data, like pictures of the trash, fullness, and weight, to help make waste management more efficient and promote zero
waste. The purpose of this study is to find a more efficient form of communication between the SmartBins and the server to allow them to be
able to collect data on a long term basis.
Keirelys De Jesús Aponte
Keirelys De Jesús Aponte is a third-year student at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. She is currently involved with research at UC Irvine with IoT-SITY, mentored by Professor Marco Levorato and Ph.D student Anas Alsoliman on Vision-Based Two-Factor Authentication & Localization Scheme for Autonomous Vehicles Project. She plans on getting a master’s degree in Software Engineering after she graduates from Computer Engineering.
Major: Computer Engineering
Home Institution: Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
Faculty Mentor: Marco Levorato, Ph.D.
Project Title: Optical Camera Communication Testbed Using a Single Optical Channel
Project Description: In this project we are implementing Visible Light Communication, Optical Camera Communication and Computer-Vision tools to potentially send and extract data. With this we expect to create a new data send-receive system that could work as a security enhancement in the future. This is phase one, and the most important one, of a larger project.
Yocelyne M Hernandez
Yocelyne M Hernandez is an incoming senior at the University of California Irvine, pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she will work with Professor Nikil Dutt at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Nikil Dutt, Ph.D.
Project Title: Context-aware Emotion Detection Framework for Improving Mental Health
Project Description: Mental health affects a person’s cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. Due to the importance of mental health we are building an app to monitor the emotional wellbeing of users using environmental and phone sensors to improve the individual’s mental health. This presentation focuses on addressing and improving accuracy concerns within our data collection. The goal of this project is to increase our accuracy in detecting an emotion.
Justin Yue
Justin Yue is a current sophomore studying computer science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Advised by Professor Sharad Mehrotra, Justin currently researches smart algorithms for databases in the hopes of applying the results to the Zotbins project at UCI.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Project Title: Privacy-Preserving, Region Aware Search Mechanism for Zotbins
Project Description: Zotbins is a smart space initiative at UCI aimed at encouraging zero waste management on campus. This project focuses on the map screen feature of our mobile app, where users can search for the nearest appropriate bin to dispose of their trash. To that end, this project focuses on developing said search mechanism.
Isabel Rowe
Isabel Rowe is a junior at Marquette University pursuing a degree in Data Science. This summer she worked with Dr. Kuo-lin Hsu and Dr. Phu Nguyen at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Data Science
Home Institution: Marquette University
Faculty Mentor: Phu Nguyen, Ph.D.
Project Title: Does an Increase in Hurricane Elsa’s Precipitation Correlate with an Increase in Milwaukee’s Precipitation?
2020
Carlos Colon
Carlos Colon is a sophomore at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Eli Bozorgzadeh and Tootiya Giyahchi at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo
Faculty Mentor: Eli Bozorgzadeh, Ph.D.
Project Title: Software Configurations in Edge Computing
Yae Ram Byon
Yae Ram Byon is a sophomore at the University of California Irvine pursuing a degree in computer science and engineering. This summer she worked with Professor Sharad Mehrotra and Dr. Roberto Yus at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Home Institution: University of California Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Project Title: TIPPERS User Policy Management UI
Anna Lubienski
Anna Lubienski is a sophomore at Indiana University-Bloomington pursuing a degree in computer science and math. This summer she worked with Professor Sharad Mehrotra and Dr. Roberto Yus at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science and Math
Home Institution: Indiana University- Bloomington
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Project Title: Defining Smart Spaces as JSON Objects
Christina Youn
Christina Youn is a senior at the University of Notre Dame pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she worked with Dr. Venkatasubramanian at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Notre Dame
Faculty Mentor: Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Ph.D.
Project Title: Sensor Placement for Stormwater Networks
Alpine Tang
Alpine Tang is a junior at the University of California Irvine pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Sharad Mehrotra and Dr. Roberto Yus at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Project Title: Sensor Detection Applications with TIPPERS System
2019
Rayan Altab
Rayan Altab is a senior at the University of California Berkeley, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Mehrotra at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California Berkeley
Faculty Mentor: Professor Sharad Mehrotra
Project Title: SemIoTic: Interoperability In Smart Spaces
Rishit Arora
Rishit Arora is pursuing a degree in computer engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This summer he worked with Dr. Magda El-Zarki at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Engineering
Home Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara
Faculty Mentor: Magda El-Zarki, Ph.D
Project Title: MineBike: Creating an Intelligence System Using Real-Time Heart-Rate Data
Bin Ru (Sophie) He
Bin Ru (Sophie) He is a senior at Cornell University, pursuing a degree in electrical and computer engineering. This summer she worked with Professor Nikil Dutt at the Unversity of California Irvine.
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Home Institution: Cornell University
Faculty Mentor: Professor Nikil Dutt
Project Title: Unite Smart, Connected, and Coordinated Maternal Care for Underserved Communities
Yocelyne M Hernandez
Yocelyne Hernandez is a sophomore at MiraCosta College, pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she worked with Dr. Ian Harris at the University of California, Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: MiraCosta College
Faculty Mentor: Ian Harris, PhD
Project Title: Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks Against An Internet of Things (IoT) Security Camera
Katelyn Itano
Katelyn Itano is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she worked with Fangqi Liu at the University of California, Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Vanderbuilt University
Faculty Mentor: Fangqi Liu
Project Title: Drone Applications for High-Rise Building Fires
Modeste Kenne
Modeste Kenne is a senior at Iowa State University, pursuing a degree in computer engineering. This summer he worked with Nailah Saleh Alhassoun at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Computer Engineering
Home Institution: Iowa State University
Faculty Mentor: Nailah Saleh Alhassoun
Project Title: Smart Mini Assisted Living Environment (SMALE)
Andrew Pilon
Andrew Pilon is a senior at the University of San Francisco pursuing a degree in physics. This summer he worked with Dr. Jayakrishnan at the University of California Irvine.
Major: Physics
Home Institution: University of San Francisco
Faculty Mentor: R. Jayakrishnan, PhD
Project Title: Investigating the THEA Connected Vehicle Pilot
Rahul Thapa
Rahul Thapa is a junior at Villanova University pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer he worked with Professor Levorato at the University of California Irvine
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Villanova University
Faculty Mentor: Marco Levorato
Project Title: Predicting Capture-to-Control Delay in an Automated UAV System
Cynthia Wang
Cynthia Wang is a senior at the University of California Irvine pursuing a degree in computer science. This summer she worked with Professor Mehrota, Dr. Yus, and Dr. Bouloukakis at the University of California, Irvine.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Sharad Mehrota, Roberto Yus, PhD; Georgios Bouloukakis, PhD
Project Title: Location Scheduling with TIPPERS Smart Space
2018
Mounia Berrada
Mounia Berrada is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, pursuing a degree in computer science. Her research interests lie in designing embedded systems, wireless networks, and machine learning. This summer she is working with Professor Levorato at the University of California at Irvine on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Among other things, the research entails improving network connections and communication between ground control statins and UAVs, taking into consideration the congestion in urban areas. Mounia is specifically working with videos processing, classification, and neural networks.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago
Faculty Mentor: Professor Marco Levorato
Project Title: Neptune: Multi-Class Object Detection Edge Assisted UAV Systems
Carter Buckner
Carter Buckner’s research project focuses on using a Tiny Arduino (miniature computer) to map eye movement in patients with an ocular prosthetic. The goal is to allow for a more natural movement among ocular prosthetic implants. Carter is a sophomore from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville majoring in Computer Science and Music Performance. His future career goals include plans to pursue a Master’s and a Law degree and eventually work in Technology and Cyber Law.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Faculty Mentor: Professor Ian Harris
Project Title: IoT Bluetooth Tracking and a Digital Eye: Alternatives to Ocular Prosthetics
Nicolas Casilli
Nicolas Casilli is an Electrical and Computer Engineering major, minoring in Physics, at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. This summer, he is working with Dr. Nikil Dutt at the University of California, Irvine on a research project that uses adaptive-reflective middleware to measure system performance and create benchmark readings to test how certain systems perform while running certain applications. Nicolas Casilli’s research interests lie in network security, lossless compression, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. His future goals include obtaining a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and, later, a Master’s in Business Administration. Eventually, he wants to work in industry, either for a security firm or as management in a technological firm.
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Home Institution: Northeastern University
Faculty Mentor: Nikil Dutt, PhD
Project Title: Core Resource Allocation and Power Management Optimization Using PARSEC Benchmark and MARS Framework
Emiliia Dyrenkova
Emiliia Dyrenkova is a sophomore Computer Science major at Mira Costa College, Oceanside. This summer she is working with Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian at the University of California, Irvine on a research project that uses data analysis to estimate missing data from the sensors in IoT emergency notification systems. Emiliia’s future goals include transferring to one of the schools in the UC system to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science as well as continuing education in a graduate school.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Mira Costa College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian
Project Title: Estimating Missing Sensor Data in Smart Firefighting
Trinity Key
Trinity Key is a rising sophomore and aspiring Electrical and Computer Engineering major at the University of Pittsburgh. As an executive board member of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) and the diversity-inclusive Pitt EXCEL program, she enjoys research that includes medical and smart systems electronics, bioinformatics, and video game design. She is currently assisting Professor Magda El Zarki in her research laboratory at the University of California, Irvine. Trinity plans to pursue a PhD. in bio-engineering, attend medical school, and have a career in industry at a research and development position in the future.
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Home Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Faculty Mentor: Professor Magda El Zarki
Project Title: Minebike: Time-Series Data and Machine Learning Algorithmic Analysis
Aditya Krishnan
Aditya Krishnan is a third-year Computer Engineering Major at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. This summer he is working with Professor Sharad Mehrotra on research involving improvement within the smart building system of the TIPPERS (Testbed for IoT-based Privacy-Preserving PERvasive Spaces) application suite in order to bring about better resolution, efficiency, and usability of the application and software system. Other research also involves framework implementation of the TIPPERS application suite that enables its usability within a distributed amount of buildings about the campus. Aditya’s research interests are in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, CyberNetwork Security, and Quantum Computing. He plans to pursue an advanced degree in computer engineering to eventually work in research and development and in academia.
Major: Computer Engineering
Home Institution: Santa Clara University
Faculty Mentor:Professor Sharad Mehrotra
Project Title: Sensor Data Attestation Based on Contractual Policies
Gabriel Lahman
Gabriel Lahman is a third-year student at Indiana University studying Computer Science with a specialization in Intelligent Systems and a minor in Cognitive Science. His research is focused on cooperative robotics, in which he will work on cooperative localization of human agent geolocation using the ROS (Robot Operating System) and a Kinect sensor. Gabriel’s research interests include bio-inspired computing, deep learning, and intelligent systems. In the future, he plans on earning his Ph.D. in Computer Science and performing industry or academic research.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Indiana University
Faculty Mentor: Solmaz Kia, PhD
Project Title: Indoor Target Localization Using Passive RFID and a Single, Dynamic Reader
Evanjelin Mahmoodi
Evanjelin Mahmoodi is a third year Mathematics and Computer Science double major at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She began doing research at DANSER labs at UCSC, focusing on developing Virtual Reality games for stroke survivors and people with physical disabilities. Her research has led her to find a passion for helping people and using technology for a good cause. In addition to her research at UC Santa Cruz, she is currently working under Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian at the University of California, Irvine to measure air pollution in cities using IoT (Internet of Things) applications. After her graduation, Evanjelin hopes to continue school and expand her areas of research to further help society.
Major: Computer Science, Mathematics
Home Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian
Project Title: Using Simulation Tools and IoT Data to Predict Fire Spread
Kyle Norland
Kyle Norland is a fourth-year systems engineering student at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. At the U of A, he works with Dr. Neng Fan on optimization of power grids under cyberattack and dynamic optimization techniques. This summer, Kyle is working with Dr. Sharad Mehrotra on topics related to the Semantic Web. He plans to pursue a PhD in optimization or operations research, and eventually work in a national lab or as a consultant on critical optimization problems.
Major: Systems Engineering
Home Institution: University of Arizona in Tucson
Faculty Mentor:Dr. Sharad Mehrotra
Project Title: Neural Graph Formulation for Visitor Activity Summarization
2017
Angel Castro
Angel Castro is a part of TIPPERS, which is a smart building system at University of California, Irvine that focuses on preserving privacy in an Internet of Things environment. His research interest are embedded systems, computer architecture, computer networks, and machine learning. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in computer science.
Major: Computer Engineering
Home Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Sharad Mehrotra, Professor, Roberto Yus, Postdoc, Computer Science
Project Title: Iot Health: Sensor Monitoring System Research Project Link
Stanley Davis
Stanley Davis’ research project examines the uses of ultrasonic frequencies for the use of data transmission. Stanley’s research interests lie in electric power, wireless power transmission, and energy conversion. His future goals include earning a dual master’s degree; a M.S. in electrical engineering and engineering management that he can then apply to the world of industry.
Major: Electrical Engineering
Home Institution: Hampton University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Magda El Zarki, Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: Iot Gaming platform utilizing ultrasonic data
transmission Research Project Link
Sharika Hegde
Sharika Hegde’s research project examines the effect of the Internet of Things on mobility and parking efficiency. Sharika’s research interests include smart city infrastructure, the Internet of Things, and intelligent transportation systems. Her future goals include earning a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering.
Major: Civil Engineering
Home Institution: Carnegie Mellon University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nalini Venkasubramanian, Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: IoT Event Based Assignment Algorithm for
Parking Control Research Project Link
Arian Reyes
Arian Reyes’ research project focuses on helping individuals become more aware of fraudulent callers. The goal is to decrease the percentage of phone scams that take place within the United States. Arian’s research interests lie in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and robotics. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Her future career goals involve earning a management position for a software-based industry or become a part of a startup company.
Major: Computer Engineering and Business Administration
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ian Harris, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: Fraud Detection System Research Project Link
Tishauna Wilson
Tishauna Wilson’s research project is able to detect social engineering using audio. Tishauna Wilson’s research interests lie in Social Engineering, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Her future goals include earning a Joint Master Degree in Computer Science with a research interest and Business Administration and becoming a CEO of a fortune 500 technology company.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Florida A&M University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ian Harris, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: The Importance of Detecting Social Engineering Research Project Link
Reinaldo Christian (Chris) Reina
Reinaldo Christian (Chris) Reina is a fourth-year electrical engineering student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. A member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), his research interests are in embedded systems, control systems, and signal processing. Chris is currently conducting research in Professor Dutt’s Research Group at the University of California, Irvine. He plans to pursue a PhD in electrical engineering, and eventually become a professor.
Major: Computer Engineering and Business Administration
Home Institution: University of California, Irvine
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nikil Dutt, Chancellor’s Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Project Title: Bio-signal Acquisition System
Development for Early Warning Score Research Project Link
Moyosore Akinrinmade
Moyosore Akinrinmade’s research project is based on transforming a data pipeline into an effective data exchange system to support multi-source communication of data. Moyosore’s research interests lie in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Internet of Things. Her future goals include earning a Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science and becoming a professor at a research university.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Texas, San Antonio
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: A Data Exchange Messaging System For Internet Of Things Systems Research Project Link
Jaelin Jordan
Jaelin Jordan’s audio detection system is able to detect hazardous scenarios in environments such as gunshots. Jaelin’s research interest is in software engineering, networking, and machine learning. His future goals including taking actuary exams for the actuary profession as well as pursing a Masters in either Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: Hampton University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nalini Venkasubramanian, Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: Audio Environment Gunshot Detection System Research Project Link
Fangfang Fu
Fangfang Fu is working with Dr. Sharad Mehrotra, Dr. Roberto Yus and Peeyush Gupta at the University of California, Irvine on part of the TIPPERS (Testbed for IoT-based Privacy-Preserving PERvasive Spaces) project to build a database benchmark to test the new database compared with the current popular databases. Her interests include database, cloud and distributed computing, and mobile and web development. She plans to pursue an advanced degree in computer science, and eventually work in research and development.
Major: Computer Science
Home Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sharad Mehrotra, Professor, Computer Science
Project Title: TIPPERS – IoT Database Benchmark