CEHC Students Share Research Endeavors at Fall 2022 Showcase

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Dec. 6, 2022) — Hundreds of students from the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) gathered at the ETEC atrium last Thursday to share their research and creative work with the campus community.

CEHC’s Fall 2022 Showcase included interactive displays and poster presentations from a record 463 undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines such as cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, homeland security, informatics, intelligence analysis, school library and software development.

The full-day event also featured a career fair with 20-plus public and private sector organizations. A virtual showcase option offered fully online students and others who could not attend an opportunity to present as well.

“We had an amazing turnout from our students who were eager to show off their efforts this semester,” said David Adkins, CEHC’s undergraduate director of cybersecurity and chair of the events committee. “It was impressive to see them explaining their work to fellow students, faculty and staff, as well as external reviewers that represent organizations and employers across the region.”

Robots, Drones and Unmanned Systems

Robert Shepherd, a junior Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (EHC) major, brought a pop-up drone tent to the event to share the research and experiential learning opportunities that are available through CEHC’s drone lab. The 1,700-square-foot testing grounds, in the basement of Page Hall on the Downtown Campus, offer a controlled indoor environment for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight training, along with land-based robotics research. 

The pop-up tent was equipped with several DJI Mini SE drones, a DJI Robomaster and Sphero STEM robots.

“Our idea was to recreate the drone lab on campus to show off what students can do there,” said Shepherd, who is an intern at CEHC’s campus makerspace. “There’s a growing demand for experienced drone pilots across different applications, including emergency operations. For example, just a few months ago FEMA hired contractors at high hourly rates to use thermal imaging drones to get a closer look at hurricane-related damage. 

“CEHC is giving students unique, hands-on training in this space. It has been an amazing opportunity for me.”

Role-Playing Game Design

Noelle Capodieci, a freshman Informatics major, minoring in game design and development, spent the semester developing her first role-playing game (RPG) called Hidden Rival. The game focuses on a protagonist who is sent on a mission to another world where they must save it from destruction. The player is the only one who can save the world.

Capodieci built the game using a platform called RPG Maker, a series of programs used for the development of role-playing video games with story-driven elements.

A beta version was shared on the big screen during Thursday’s showcase.

“This was my first time using RPG Maker, but once I got over the learning curve, it became pretty easy to map everything out,” Capodieci said. “Ideally, I would love to be a game designer for a video game development company, focusing on the art aspect. This project allowed me to customize my characters and all the other visual aspects of the game. It has been a fun and rewarding experience.”

3D Printing Technology

Joseph Ruberto, a junior Informatics major, minoring in cybersecurity, has focused this semester on bringing objects to life using 3D printers in CEHC’s campus makerspace.

Located in the basement of ETEC, the campus makerspace is full of new technologies including 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons and a variety of other tools and hardware that are at-the-ready for students to use to create, invent and learn.

Ruberto downloaded an app called Polycam, a scanning technology that can be used to create 3D models of objects before they are sent to the printer. He has been using it to print items at UAlbany, including the bronze Damien head statue located in the Campus Center.

The makerspace 3D printers were brought to showcase, along with some of Ruberto’s favorite Damien printouts.

“You can use 3D scanning technology for a lot of stuff like animation, gaming, or the manufacturing of products,” said Ruberto, a transfer student from Westchester Community College. “It’s also accessible technology. All you need to do is download the app to your phone, take pictures, and head to the printer.

“The hands-on access to technology like this is what really drew me to UAlbany, ETEC and CEHC. I’ve really enjoyed my experience here.”

Photos: Brian Busher