PASSION FOR TECHNOLOGY: THREE UH WOMEN
HONORED
Math Professor and Two Students Recognized by Association for Women
in Computing
HOUSTON, June 22, 2005 – Repairing aneurysm-damaged arteries,
analyzing computer code patterns and improving hardware imaging
techniques recently earned three University of Houston women top
honors from the Association for Women in Computing (AWC).
At the annual AWC gala, Mathematics Professor Suncica Canic received
one of the “Top Houston Women in Technology” awards
for 2005, and two UH students were each awarded a $10,000 Kathi
Bowles Scholarship. Intended to promote advanced education in the
field of science and technology, the scholarships were given to
Irene Cooperstein Cole, a math and computer science senior in the
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Barbara Nishae
Brooks, a technology leadership and supervision junior in the College
of Technology.
Canic was selected as an honoree for her significant career achievements
and leadership roles in Houston’s technology and computing
arenas. Joining the UH faculty in 1998, Canic has been working on
research to improve stents to treat arteries damaged by aneurysm.
She is involved in collaborations with researchers from the Texas
Medical Center and uses complex mathematical models to improve stent
design. (See related release at http://www.uh.edu/media/nr/2004/02feb/021604canic_heart.html.)
“Sunny Canic is a talented mathematician, scientist and educator,
and her research is aimed at solving some very important problems
related to the treatment of cardiovascular disease,” said
John Bear, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
“I was delighted to be on hand at the event to see UH do so
well with these prestigious honors bestowed at both the faculty
and student levels.”
For exhibiting exemplary performance in their fields of study,
Cole and Brooks each were awarded a Kathi Bowles Scholarship, established
in 1988 to honor the memory of one of the AWC Houston Chapter members.
Bowles was regarded as an outstanding professional among her peers
and also was very active in volunteering.
“The AWC addresses the critical need for more students to
enter what is known as STEM – science, technology, engineering
and mathematics – career fields,” said William Fitzgibbon,
dean of the College of Technology. “It is gratifying to see
our students receive awards of this caliber that nurture and encourage
the development of critical STEM skills that play a vital role in
technology today.”
Brooks’ most recent project consisted of determining a way
to create an image of a hard drive and distribute it across a variety
of hardware, known as a hardware independent image. This can become
a tedious task because a separate image must be created for each
type of platform, even if the same operating system and applications
will be used on all systems. By discovering a way to make one image
usable on all types of computers, she was able to save the IT department
hours of tedious image building.
“Every day a new technology is unveiled, bringing about new
opportunities for wisdom,” Brooks said. “With the ever-changing
world of IT, and my appetite to learn, I know that I will fit in
nicely. This scholarship is truly a blessing.”
Last summer, Cole participated in a research internship with the
computer science department of Oregon State University. There, she
worked with a team of graduate students and professors, all cooperating
on various portions of a larger project spanning several universities.
The project allowed her to apply abstract mathematics skill to the
task of analyzing patterns in spreadsheet layouts. She also was
able to gain experience with research and testing methods, as well
as contribute to a research paper that was presented at the International
Conference on Software Engineering this May.
“The excitement of new technology, a love of programming
and the ability to creatively express myself are all factors that
inspire me to pursue computer science,” said Cole, who expects
to graduate in May 2006. “The thing that excites me most is
the sheer, raw power inherent in our computer technology and the
potential of computers to grow still more efficient.”
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
About the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with nearly
400 faculty members and approximately 4,000 students, offers bachelors,
masters and doctoral degrees in the natural sciences, computational
sciences and mathematics. Faculty members in the departments of
biology and biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, geosciences,
mathematics and physics have internationally recognized collaborative
research programs in association with UH interdisciplinary research
centers, Texas Medical Center institutions and national laboratories.
About the College of Technology
The UH College of Technology is focused on key areas in technology
and merchandising that have the power to improve products and operations
and that are in high demand by businesses and organizations around
the world. These include construction, computer, mechanical, electrical
power, logistic and information system technologies, as well as
consumer sciences and merchandising, technical leadership and training
and development. Because of the high demand for these skills in
today’s marketplace, more than two thirds of our students
are employed in their field before graduation.
To receive UH science news via e-mail, visit www.uh.edu/admin/media/sciencelist.html.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
|