Recent Research Projects:
"Regression Testing"
The senior thesis research of Matthew Rummel '04, focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of a technique that could re-order the tests within a test suite so that faults are found earlier in the testing process. A comprehensive series of experiments demonstrated that Rummel's test prioritization approach could efficiently improve the fault detection capability of JUnit test suites. Rummel's senior thesis research also led to the publication of a full paper at the ACM SIGAPP Symposium on Applied Computing (SAC 2005).
Matthew Rummel and Instructor Gregory M. Kapfhammer traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico in March of 2005 and Matthew presented his research to a standing room only audience. Rummel's senior thesis research enabled him to develop a strong foundation in computer science and software engineering. These skills have served him well as a software developer at Raytheon Corporation in State College, PA.
"Collaborative Research Experiences for Women"
In 2002 a team of three students -- Tiffany Bennett, Jennifer Hannon, and Elizabeth Zehner -- obtained funding from the Computing Research Association's "Collaborative Research Experiences for Women" program to conduct research into genetic algorithms for finding improved shellsort sequences. Meeting weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters, the students researched, designed, and tested an algorithm that uses a hybrid, or memetic, genetic algorithm to generate novel increment sequences for use by shellsort. They had an opportunity to meet computer science professionals and undergraduate researchers from other schools at SIGCSE 2002 and to present the results of their research as a poster at GECCO 2002.
"Imitating Nature: Creating Images using Biological Models"
Joseph Zumpella '04 focused on creation of images using biologically-based pattern formation techniques---think 'zebra stripes' or 'leopard spots' or 'giraffe-like coloration'---first proposed by Alan Turing. He then evolved these "reaction-diffusion textures" using genetic algorithms to create more interesting and intricate designs. Joe and his advisor, Dr. Andrew Thall, attended ACM's SIGGRAPH '04 conference in Los Angeles and presented his work at a poster-session, where it appeared alongside posters from Brown University and the University of Waterloo.
