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May 2005 - A year ago, one Trinity University student presented a paper in the field of computer science at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR.) But this spring, nine computer science students presented papers on a range of topics at the 2005 NCUR. Many of these students also appeared at the Academic Showcase during Trinity’s Spring Family Weekend held on campus in early April. Seven of the nine graduated on May 14, and one is a candidate for graduation in December.

Ryan Acosta ’05, of Coppell, Texas, majored in computer science and math. He graduated cum laude with honors in computer science. He presented a paper that looks at radiation exposure in a systematic way in order to create better treatment plans for cancer. The chairman of the computer science department, Maurice Eggen, who is also Ryan’s adviser, said, “The research he’s doing has the potential to improve the quality of radiation therapy for cancer patients.”

Joseph Bertles ’05, of Lakeland, Fla., majored in computer science. He graduated cum laude with honors in computer science. His research is on expanding the use of cellular automata. Professor Eggen noted, “Cellular automata have applications in a wide variety of areas. However, they have been restricted to people in math and computer science. His work opens the use of cellular automata to members of other scientific fields.”

Eric Garza ’05, of San Antonio, is another computer science major who graduated with honors. He also studied cellular automata but applied his research to the field of computer games under the direction of Mark C. Lewis, assistant professor. The project notes that as computer games take place in the virtual world, designers will look for ways to design buildings, cities, and entire civilizations automatically and in real time.

Stefan Parker ’05, of Cupertino, Calif., also majored in computer science. Under the direction of Yu Zhang, assistant professor, he developed a project on forming resource-sharing coalitions in relation to a swarm intelligence approach for agent teams.

Mike Roberts ’05, of San Antonio, is a computer science major also working with Professor Zhang. He graduated magna cum laude. Mike studied decision making through the use of intelligent agents, also known as software that can learn from situations, such as a person’s music preferences, and make recommendations.

Scott Schwartz of San Antonio, a candidate for graduation in December, is a major in math and computer science. Working with Professor Eggen, he studied the ability of robots to react to their surroundings in real time. Professor Eggen commented, “The ultimate goal of this research is to create a self-directed robotic automaton capable of independent action. Robotics has been limited in the past by ties to human controls.”

Paul West ’05, of San Antonio, and another major in both computer science and math, researched expression templates and large integers with Professor Lewis. The project seeks to find more efficient ways to do computations on very large numbers, potentially changing how computer security is handled. Paul graduated with honors in computer science.

Clay Weston ’05, of Burnet, Texas, graduated with honors in computer science, and he worked with Professor Eggen. Clay created simulations in which virtual robots can navigate efficiently on their own through unfamiliar terrain, through valleys and around hills. This capability would be invaluable for space exploration, hazardous situations, or for military applications.

Victoria Winbow ’06, of Houston, is majoring in computer science and physics. Working with Professor Lewis, she measured wake peak separations in the Encke Gap, which is located near the outer edge of Saturn’s A ring. It is kept relatively free of particles by a shepherding satellite called Pan. Based on theoretical models about how Pan perturbs the nearby particles, we can simulate their behavior. These measurements can be checked against data from NASA’s Cassini probe as it becomes available.

© 2006 Trinity University