Tag Archives: research

Facilitating a smooth technological transition for citizens returning from prison

By | August 16, 2019
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silhouette of man in window

Formerly incarcerated individuals—or returning citizens—struggle to find work and reintegrate due to a lack of digital literacy, according to a recently published article by U-M researchers. “For some returning citizens, there’s a ‘Rip Van Winkle effect’ when they are offered digital technology upon reentry,” said Kentaro Toyama, senior author of the study. Many returning citizens rely heavily on… Read More »

U.S. universities confront a security storm in Congress

By | August 9, 2019
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Sol Bermann, U-M’s chief information security officer, is quoted in a recent article in “Science” magazine about legislation moving through Congress that aims to prevent foreign entities from taking unfair advantage of the traditionally open U.S. research system. Both House and Senate bills focus heavily on enhancing cybersecurity, seen as an essential tool in protecting intellectual property and… Read More »

“Mind reading” study connects spatial problem solving with computer science

By | August 6, 2019
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programmer at computer with headset connected to neural transmitters

A group of researchers led by engineering professor Westley Weimer and grad student Yu Huang used real-time fMRI readings to look inside coders’ brains while they program. This “mind reading” project studied whether manipulating data structures in a program (like balancing a tree) uses the same parts of the brain as spatial reasoning (rotating a map or turning… Read More »

Jenna Wiens named new Precision Health co-director

By | July 4, 2019
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Jenna Wiens

Effective September 1, 2019, Jenna Wiens, assistant professor of computer science and engineering, will become a Precision Health co-director. She succeeds Eric Michielssen, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, who is stepping down to take sabbatical leave. Wiens is transitioning to co-director from a successful role as a co-lead for Precision Health’s Data Analytics & IT Workgroup,… Read More »

UMSI students help make civic tools work for Detroit residents

By | July 3, 2019
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diverse group of people sitting in room talking

The City of Detroit has a lot of data to share. The challenge is making this data accessible to residents. So, the city partnered with Data Driven Detroit to solve the problem. Together, they formed a user testing group, CUTgroup Detroit, and enlisted the School of Information (UMSI) to contribute the user testing acumen necessary to ensure the voices of Detroit… Read More »

New tech explored at BRCF Genomics Showcase

By | June 20, 2019
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On June 13, 2019, more than 300 people came together at the Biomedical Research Core Facilities Genomics Showcase to learn more about the rapidly evolving technologies, applications, and platforms available in the genomics space. Cores are centralized facilities or labs that offer shared services, shared equipment, resources, and expertise to biomedical researchers and investigators on a fee-for-service basis.… Read More »

Explore new technologies at the BRCF Genomics Showcase

By | May 29, 2019
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attendees registering for event

Join the BRCF for a Genomics Showcase to explore the rapidly evolving technologies, applications, and platforms available in the genomics space, including single cell analysis, ATAQ-Seq, epigenetics, high-throughput sequencing applications, and more. Thursday, June 13, 2019Palmer Commons, 4th FloorSpeaking sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Lunch and information tables open at 11:30 a.m. The Showcase will explore multiple topics,… Read More »

Read the 2019 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report for higher ed

By | May 2, 2019
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The EDUCAUSE Horizon Project continues to identify and describe higher education trends challenges, and technology developments that are likely to have an impact on teaching, learning, and creative inquiry. This year, EDUCAUSE releases a new, reflective section of the Horizon Report, a section that revisits several forecasts from 3-5 years ago and provides the audience with context from… Read More »

Michigan Meeting explores living in the digital age, May 9-10

By | May 1, 2019
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close up of hands texting on cell phones.

A group of U-M faculty members have set out to ask critical questions about how today’s digital environment affects personal and societal well-being, perceptions and livelihoods. In other words, what does it mean to be alive in the digital age? That question is the focus of “Living a Digital Life,” the 2019 Michigan Meeting scheduled for May 9-10… Read More »

All things could be part of the Internet of Things with new RFID system

By | April 15, 2019
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U-M researchers say a new RFID-based technology they’ve helped develop is key step toward creating a truly immersive IoT experience. The system, called IDAct, bridges the gap between the estimated 14.2 billion “smart” electronic devices that are currently part of the Internet of Things and the hundreds of billions of everyday non-smart objects left out of the picture.… Read More »

Online civic engagement is not always a positive experience

By | April 4, 2019
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man holding phone and angry face emoji icon

Online civic engagement is generally viewed as a positive way for individuals to improve the quality of life in their community. But new research led by School of Information associate professor Libby Hemphill suggests that online civic engagement doesn’t always feel good, and it doesn’t always improve the community. Hemphill and her team interviewed 40 nonprofit employees and… Read More »

Healthcare and Big Data

By | March 20, 2019
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composite image of medical and information technology icons and devices

Jenna Wiens, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, leads the Machine Learning for Data-Driven Decisions research group. Her work focuses on developing the computational methods needed to help organize, process, and transform patient data into actionable knowledge. The Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation recently interviewed Wiens about her research and its practical implications for… Read More »

UMSI researchers recognized with 3 Best Paper awards at 2019 CHI Conference

By | March 18, 2019
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CHI 2019

U-M School of Information faculty and PhD students have earned three Best Paper and five Honorable Mention designations at the 2019 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Best Paper awards go to the top one percent of accepted papers at ACM CHI, the premiere international conference on Human-Computer Interaction. This year’s conference takes place May 4-9 in… Read More »