General Information

Research Assistant Professor

Robots

• Mobile robots:

  	We have 11 Pioneer 3DX mobile robots and 1 Pioneer AT. In addition to the standard on-board computer, all the robots are equipped with a dual-processor box used for visual processing and computational intensive algorithms. The robots have Sony PTZ cameras, grippers and laser rangefinders. The robots are currently used for our projects on intent understanding, learning by demonstration, multi-robot control, and human-robot interaction.
  	We have 10 Create robots, which are all equipped with a 1.2GHz CPU. Our goal is to use these robots to extend our research heterogeneous multi-robot control and also for educational purposes on our Autonomous Mobile Robots class.

• Legged robots:

  Our Sony Aibo is currently used for our research in human-robot interaction. We plan to extend using the robot on our intent understanding and learning by demonstration projects.

• Humanoid robots:

  	In 2007 we purchased 10 Robosapien robots to be used for both research and education. In particular, they will be used on the projects on human-robot interaction and intent understanding and as a platform for an advanced seminar on robotics.
  	We currently have Marie, a NAO humanoid Robot from Aldebaran Robotics, and we have recently purchased a second one to keep Marie company. The robot is used on our research in Intent understanding and Human-Robot Interaction.

Research Funding

• Intent Recognition for On-Water Dynamic Maritime Domains, Office of Naval Research, PI (Co-PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Terry Huntsberger - JPL), Amount: $685,355, March 2016 - February 2018.

• Humanoid Platforms for Human-Robot Collaboration, Office of Naval Research, PI (Co-PIs: Mircea Nicolescu, David Feil-Seifer), Amount: $312,500, June 15, 2014 - June 14, 2015.

• Cluster of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI (PI: Kam Leang, Co-PIs: George Bebis Alan Fuchs, Miles Greiner, Yanyao Jiang, Ghassan Jabbour), 3 Faculty positions for Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering and Chemical and Materials Engineering, 2013.

• Distributed Visualization of Spiking Networks, University of Nevada, Reno, Undergraduate Research Award (Student: Alexander McArther), Amount: $1,500, May 2013 - April 2014.

• Vision-based robot localization for SPHERES, University of Nevada, Reno, Undergraduate Research Award (Student: Jared Rhizor), Amount: $1,500, May 2013 - April 2014.

• Understanding Intent Using an Activation Spreading Architecture, Office of Naval Research, PI (Co-PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Sushil Louis), Amount: $590,992, July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2015.

• Advanced Computer Vision, Robotics, and Visualization Algorithms For Improving Planetary Exploration and Understanding, NASA, Co-PI, (PI: George Bebis, Co-PI: Thomas Jackman), Amount: 629,872, September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2015.

• High Throughput Tissue Microarray (TMA) Construction and Interpretation to Facilitate Biomarker Discovery - phase 2, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI, (PI: Sanford Barsky, Co-PI: Emil Geiger), Amount: $20,000, 2012.

• High Throughput Tissue Microarray (TMA) Construction and Interpretation to Facilitate Biomarker Discovery - phase 1, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI, (PI: Sanford Barsky, Co-PI: Emil Geiger), Amount: $3,000, 2012.

• Differential Fees Application - Robotics, University of Nevada, Reno, PI, Amount: $4151.68, 2012.

• Research Experience for Undergraduates, National Science Foundation, PI, Amount: $8,000, January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2011.

• Context-Based Intent Understanding for Autonomous Systems in Naval and Collaborative Robotics Applications, Office of Naval Research, PI (Co-PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Sushil Louis), Amount $543,280, August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2012.

• Cyberinfrastructure - part of Nevada EPSCoR "Climate Change" proposal, National Science Foundation - EPSCoR, Senior Personnel (PI: Sergiu Dascalu, 2,293,893), 2008 - 2013.

• Autonomous Intelligent Rover Design, National Science Foundation, PI, (Co-PI: Eric Wang, Jeffrey Lacombe), Amount: $29,080, August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008.

• An Enhanced Hands-On Learning Experience in Computer Science and Engineering, UNR Student Technology Fee Distribution, University of Nevada, Reno, PI (Co-PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Sergiu Dascalu), Amount: $11,580, June 1 2007 - October 31, 2007.

• Research Experience for Undergraduates, National Science Foundation, PI, Amount: $12,000, January 15, 2007 - December 31, 2010.

• Special Projects - NevadaSat: University Rover Challenge, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), Co-PI (PI: Eric Wang, Co-PI: Jeffrey Lacombe), Amount: $28,501, January 1 2007 - June 30, 2009.

• Special Projects - NevadaSat: Workforce Development, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), Co-PI (PI: Eric Wang, Co-PI: Jeffrey Lacombe), Amount: $62,500, January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008.

• Large-Scale, Synaptically Realistic Models of Cortical Microcircuit Dynamics, Office of Naval Research, Co-PI (PI: Phillip Goodman, Co-PI: Fred Harris, Rene Doursat, Henry Markram), Amount $877,000, October 1, 2006 - September 31, 2009.

• NevadaSat: Workforce Development, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI (PI: Eric Wang, Co-PI: Jeffrey Lacombe), Amount: $62,500, October 1, 2006 - June 31, 2007.

• A Computational Model for Intent Understanding, National Science Foundation, Co-PI (PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Co-PI: Sami Fadali, Linda Hayes, Alireza Tavakkoli), Amount: $75,600, July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2008.

• Integrating Computer Vision and Robotics Teaching Programs, UNR Instructional Enhancement Grant, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI (PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Co-PI: George Bebis), Amount: $1,400, July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007.

• Understanding Intent Using a Novel Hidden-Markov Representation, Office of Naval Research (ONR), PI, (Co-PI: Mircea Nicolescu), Amount: $619,584, June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2009.

• An Integrated Teaching Infrastructure for Computer Vision and Robotics, Student Technology Fee Distribution, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI (PI: Mircea Nicolescu, Co-PI: Yaakov Varol), Amount: $23,200, June 1, 2006 - October 1, 2006.

• Video Games and Robots: A Level Playing Field, Instructional Enhancement Grant, University of Nevada, Reno, Co-PI (PI: Dwight Egbert), Amount: $3,000, June 2006 - May 2007.

• Research Experience for Undergraduates, National Science Foundation, PI, Amount: $12,000, January 15, 2006 - December 31, 2010.

• NevadaSat: Nevada Student Satellite Program I, NASA, Co-PI (PI: Jeffrey C. LaCombe, Co-PI: Eric L. Wang) Amount: $15,000, February 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007.

• NevadaSat: Nevada Student Satellite Program II, NASA, Co-PI, (PI: Eric L. Wang, Co-PI: Jeffrey C. LaCombe), Amount: $15,000, February 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007.

• Bacterial sample preparation and pattern recognition development, Phase I, Nevada Nanotech Inc., Co-PI (PI: Eric Marchand), Amount: $10,000, February 1, 2006 - October 31, 2006.

• Design and Evaluation of Methods for Robot Learning by Demonstration, National Science Foundation, Early Career Development Award (CAREER), PI, Amount: $410,000, January 15, 2006 - January 14, 2011.

• Enhanced Pattern Recognition of Target Chemicals and Bacteria Species with a Compact Chemical Vapor Detection System, National Science Foundation, PI (Co-PI: Joseph Cline), Amount: $76,322, January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007.

• Utilizing Fuzzy Logic for Gene Sequence Construction from Sub Sequences and Characteristic Genome Derivation and Assembly, National Science Foundation, Co-PI (PI: Gregory Vert, Co-PI: Alison Murray), Amount: $76,322, January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007.

• Autonomous Intelligent Rover Design, National Science Foundation, PI (Co-PI: Eric Wang, Jeffrey Lacombe), Amount $76,322, January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007.

• Virtual At Sea Training, Office of Naval Research, Co-PI: Monica Nicolescu (PI: Sushil Louis, Co-PI: Sergiu Dascalu), Amount: $416,584, October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2008.

• Infrastructure Initiative for Cognitive Information Processing, National Science Foundation, Senior Personnel (PIs: George Bebis, Kwang Kim, Darko Koracin, Sushil Louis, Roberto Mancini, S. Sing, Yaakov Varol, Melanie Wetzel, W. Yim), Amount $200,000 (budget to Monica Nicolescu for robotic equipment out of total of $2,602,350), October 2005 - September 2008.

• Enhanced Pattern Recognition of Target Chemicals and Detection and Selection of Bacteria Species with a Compact Chemical Vapor Detection System Utilizing Multifunctional Sensor Arrays and Selective Materials, NA-22, PI (Co-PI: Eric Marchand, Joseph Cline), Amount: $100,000, October 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007.

• Desorption Mercury Vapor Detection, Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc & UNR, Co-PI (PI: Joseph Cline), Amount: $20,000, August 1, 2005 - May 31, 2006.

• Robotic Platform for Security and Service Applications, Office of Naval Research, DURIP, Co-PI (PI: Philip Goodman), Amount: $210,593, May 1, 2005 - April 30, 2006.

• Open Robotics Reference Platform, University of Nevada, Reno, Undergraduate Research, PI, Amount: $1,000, May 1, 2005 - April 30, 2006.

• Detecting the Chemical Signatures of Nuclear Proliferation with Coated, Self-Sensing Microcantilever Arrays, NA-22, Senior Personnel (PI: Jesse Adams), Amount: $450,000, October 1, 2004 - May 31, 2005.

• Adaptive Intelligent Swarms for VAST-COVE: Virtual Training of Conning Officers in Ship Self Defense Against Small Boats, Office of Naval Research, Co-PI (PI: Sushil Louis), Amount: $220,241, July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2006.

• Natural Interaction and Learning for Service Robotics, Junior Faculty Research Award, University of Nevada, Reno, PI, Amount: $15,000, June 1, 2004 - May 31, 2006.

• Enhanced Robotics Curriculum for the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Student Technology Fee Distribution, University of Nevada, Reno, PI (Co-PI: Yaakov Varol), Amount: $12,000, January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004.

• A Hands-on Introduction to Robotics Using LEGO Robot Kits, Instructional Enhancement Grant, University of Nevada, Reno, PI, Amount: $3,000, January 1, 2004 - June 1, 2004.

Alumni

PhD Students

• Richard Kelley, Models of Intention for Human-Robot Interaction, defended 05/14/2013.

• Bradford Towle, Using an Auction Behavior-Based Robotic Architecture in Order to Fulfill Necessary Functionality for Service Robotics, defended 05/09/2013.

• Christopher King, Efficient Object Detection and Tracking Using a Novel MSER-Based Approach, defended 11/21/2013, co-advised with Mircea Nicolescu.

Master of Science Students

• Banafsheh Rekabdar, An Unsupervised Spike Timing Method for Learning Spatio-temporal Patterns, co-advised with Mircea Nicolescu, graduated May 2015.

• Mohammad Taghi Saffar, Intent Recognition Using an Activation Spreading Architecture, advisor Mircea Nicolescu, graduated April 2015.

• Liesl Wigand, Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Multilabel Prediction Using RGBD Data, graduated 05/06/2014.

• Katie Browne, Learning to Generalize from Demonstration, graduated 05/05/2013.

• Daniel Bigelow, Intent Recognition in Multi-Agent Domains, graduated 05/04/2013.

• Marek Hajek, System Architecture for Weather, Road Condition, and Vehicle Data Telemetry via Low Bandwidth Radio Network, graduated 4/24/2012.

• Richard Kelley, Mind Reading for Social Robots: Stochastic Models of Intent Recognition, graduated 04/23/2009.

• Jayashree Konda, Identification of Protein Coding Regions in Microbial Genomes Using Unsupervised Clustering, graduated 10/28/2009.

• Austin Stanhope, A Control Architecture for Dynamic Execution of Robot Tasks Trained in Real-Time Using Particle Filters, graduated 11/30/2009.

• Asya Nikitina, Design and Implementation of Pattern Recognition Algorithms for the Detection of Chemicals with a Microcantilever Sensor Array, graduated 11/07/2007.

• Adam Olenderski, Aspects of Behavior Design for Learning by Demonstration, graduated 08/08/2007.

• Xavier Palathingal, A Framework for Long-Term Human-Robot Interaction, graduated 04/18/2007.

• Pablo Rivera, Development of an Autonomous Rover for the Nevada Student Satellite Program, graduated 08/08/2007.

• Bradford Towle, Combining Role Playing Game Constructs Toward Real Time Strategy Games, graduated 11/28/2007.

• Christopher King, Vision and Laser-Based Perception for Real-Time Autonomous Robotic Applications, graduated 12/03/2007 (co-chair with Mircea Nicolescu).

• Christian Rayburn, Field Demonstrated Autonomous Robot Control for CanSat Rocket Payload Retrieval, graduated Fall 2005.

Undergraduate Research Students

• Jared Rhizor (2012-2013)

• Alexander McArther (2012-2013)

• Cynthia Sherman (2009-2012)

• Qandeel Sajid (2012-2103)

• Liesl Wigand (Spring 2011)

• Katie Browne (Fall 2010)

• Sebastian Smith (2005-2006)

Intern Research Students

• Yatin Chandar (Davidson's Academy)

• Miranda Cross (Davidson's Academy)

• Tristan Brodeur

• Alexandre Trinidade (exchange student, Brasil)

• Henrique Azevedo (exchange student, Brasil)

• Connor Richard Novak (Davidson's Academy)