2024 LSAMP SCHOLARS
The Video Game Dilemma
David Akanbi, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
Do the reasons for playing games (e.g., entertainment, challenge, social interaction) correlate with the popularity of certain genres or platforms? Can the demographic profile of video game players predict the success of future video games? Video games have been a staple in entertainment for decades, and finding out about the future of gaming would be essential in advancing our current forms of entertainment. In this research, the similarities and differences between two different data sets will be explored. To address this question, the analysis will leverage Python through both Google Collaboratory and Anaconda Notebook to properly sort and find the data needed in particular to select specific information. Also, using Kaggle will supply this analysis with the multiple datasets needed to investigate the question of this project. Utilizing advanced data analysis and visualization libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Altair, and Matplotlib the research will analyze the specifics of decades' worth of game ratings, developer reputations, and consumer feedback. In this process, finding how genres affect the rating of a game, how many people rated the games, how the ratings from the consumers and the critics differ, and predicting the future of gaming through past events. This project aims to conduct a thorough analysis of the complex dynamics of the video game industry by looking at the relationships between user preferences, demographic traits, game attributes, and industry trends. While comparing them to people's favorite games, what they play the most, and their age.
Leveraging Large Language Models for Structuring and Querying Unstructured Data
Eric Barton, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joaquin Carbonara
This research project delves into the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) to efficiently structure unstructured data and facilitate information retrieval through natural language queries. The study focuses on harnessing the power of LLMs to enhance the comprehension of web data by leveraging their contextual understanding and language processing capabilities. The project adopts a practical approach by utilizing Python and the OpenAI API to develop a Flask application. The application is designed to scrape data from the Buffalo State webpage, and using LLMs, transform the unstructured information into structured formats. This innovative approach enables the comparison of different structuring techniques, shedding light on how LLMs interpret and organize data. Key components of the research include the implementation of a systematic process that integrates the OpenAI API key to fetch data from a specified webpage URL. The data is then processed and structured in various ways to facilitate meaningful comparisons of results. The goal is to discern the nuances in how LLMs read and interpret information, providing insights into their strengths and limitations in handling diverse types of data. By employing natural language queries, the research assesses the ability of LLMs to comprehend and respond to user-generated questions based on the structured data. This methodology not only contributes to the understanding of LLMs' natural language processing capabilities but also explores the potential of these models in creating user-friendly interfaces for information retrieval. The findings from this research contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the practical applications of LLMs in structuring and querying unstructured data. The developed Flask application serves as a valuable tool for testing and evaluating LLMs in real-world scenarios, offering a foundation for future advancements in natural language understanding and data processing.
Connexin Mutants Associated With Skin Disease
Oghenetega Eruotor, Biology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Martha Skerrett
The hereditary skin disease erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) is characterized by transient patches of red, thickened skin. This disease is caused by mutations in genes critical for skin function, including mutations in the gene that codes for a gap junction protein known as Cx30,3. This research is focused on better understanding the molecular changes that take place because of these mutations with focus on two missense mutations that cause animo acid substitutions in the Cx30.3 protein. The first mutation of interest is S20Y which results in tyrosine replacing serine at position 20. The second mutation of interest in ME0L which results in leucine replacing methionine at position 190. Bioinformatics was used to review the location and properties of altered amino acids Since Cx30.3 i5 known to form gap junctions, the Xenopus oocyte expression system is being used to study gap junctions and associated hemichannels that are formed by Cx30.3 and the mutant proteins.
Logic Circuit Structures
Diamond Hamilton, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Goldberg
For my research, I would like to dive deeper into understanding the inner workings of logic circuits as well as their packaging. I hope that the audience finds interest in the electrical and mechanical aspects of the project, seeing how the different gates alter the voltage and current throughout the system. Specifically, this project will encompass how and-gates and or-gates are made with the two different types of transistors, BJT transistors from the TTL logic family and the MOSFET transistors from the CMOS family. A BJT transistor can be used to function like a switch, which controls the current flow based on the input signals. A MOSFET transistor is the most common type and is used to control the flow of electricity within the system. The results and observations discovered during this project will explain how these two types of transistors are used within a circuit and how their functions differ from each other.
Analyzing Suicide Rates Amongst Men
Jayden Heath, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
This research project attempts to analyze the complex issue of suicide rates among men, aiming to uncover patterns and potential factors contributing to this phenomenon. The questions driving this investigation are as follows: What mental health conditions or disorders are most associated with suicide? Is there a correlation between substance abuse and suicide rates? What is the overall trend in suicide rates over the years covered by the dataset? What demographic groups are most affected by suicide? To answer these questions, background information regarding the prevalence of suicide, particularly among males is provided. With data collected from countries all over the world, the effects of mental health over the years and its correlation to substance abuse and disorders will be displayed. The methodology involves Python programming using Google Colab and utilizing datasets sourced from the source Kaggle. Matplotlib is a comprehensive library for creating visualizations in Python and Seaborn is a Python visualization library based on Matplotlib that will be used in this project. Pandas is a popular Python library and will be used to manipulate and structure the data. All three of these libraries integrate well with each other allowing the best statistical visualization. By employing exploratory data analysis and visualization tools, this research project aims to identify correlations and patterns within the data. Preliminary findings reveal geographical variations in suicide rates among men, along with potential correlations with economic indicators and mental health resources availability. These insights provide a foundation for further analysis and exploration.
Development and Evaluation of Advanced Network Intrusion Detection System
Woodlen Jean-Baptiste, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
This project centers on the development and evaluation of an advanced Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) to address the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by organizations. In today's digital landscape, the proliferation of network-based cyber-attacks poses significant risks to organizational data, systems, and operations, necessitating innovative intrusion detection solutions. The proposed NIDS solution leverages custom algorithms, real-time monitoring capabilities, and integration with existing security infrastructure to enhance network security posture and mitigate security risks. The methodology involves integrating packet sniffers, traffic analyzers, machine learning algorithms, and rule-based detection engines within the organization's network infrastructure. Through extensive testing and evaluation, the performance, accuracy, and scalability of the NIDS solution are assessed under various network conditions and attack scenarios. Preliminary results demonstrate promising improvements in detection accuracy and response time. The anticipated outcome of this project is the development of a robust NIDS solution capable of proactively detecting, responding to, and mitigating network-based cyber threats. By strengthening organizational cybersecurity defenses, the NIDS solution aims to safeguard critical assets and ensure business continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats. In conclusion, this project represents a significant step towards enhancing organizational cybersecurity in today's complex threat landscape. By leveraging advanced intrusion detection techniques and real-time monitoring capabilities, the developed NIDS solution aims to empower organizations with the tools and capabilities needed to effectively combat cyber threats and protect sensitive data and assets.
Lyn’s Rover - Robotics Project
Christopher Lyn, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gang Hu
As the world constantly evolves, technology must rapidly advance to keep up with it. To adapt, technologists must find ways they can advance their knowledge and understanding of technology. This project seeks to deepen the understanding of serial communication and robotics by building a rover and programming it to be remote controlled through the Raspberry Pi and Arduino. This project is inspired by the NASA rover project, in which a rover called Perseverance was built and launched to Mars in 2020 to explore and collect data for NASA . What this rover project seeks to do is evaluate and broaden the understanding of serial communication with a small rover and learn how data can be bounced back between the rover’s Arduino and the computer. Additionally, this project will help improve programming skills and open doors for future robotics projects. The equipment needed for this project includes an Arduino and a Raspberry Pi to program the robot. A Bogie Runt Rover assembly kit is used to build the shell of the robot. Electrical motors connected to an h-bridge and a battery enable control over all the wheels on the rover. The specific skills needed to complete this project are knowledge of circuitry, soldering, wiring, and knowledge of both python and Arduino code. The expected result of this project is a rover that can be remote controlled to move around the room. Communication will be evaluated by trying to control the robot’s movements, meaning whether turns left or right and accelerates or decelerates.
Characterization of Connexin 30.3 F189Y: a Mutant Associated with Erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV)
Ettan Saiwala, Biology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Martha Skerrett
Connexin proteins are highly expressed in the human epidermis where they form gap junctions. A connexon is a transmembrane channel composed of six connexin subunits. Characteristically, two connexons form an intercellular gap junction channel. However, connexons can also function as transmembrane channels both physiologically and pathologically. Connexin30.3 (Cx30.3) is one of several connexins expressed in the stratum granulosum layer of the skin. Point mutations in the Cx30.3 gene (GJB4) cause a rare skin disease categorized as erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) involving areas of erythema (reddening of the skin) and hyperkeratosis (thickening of the outer layer of skin). Using site-directed mutagenesis we created the Cx30.3 mutant F189Y associated with EKV and expressed this mutant in Xenopus oocytes. F189Y-injected cells died quickly compared to Cx30.3-injected cells. They did not however appear to be more permeable to water, as shown through oocyte bursting experiments. Electrophysiological characterization using whole-cell voltage clamp revealed an increase in membrane conductance in oocytes expressing F189Y. This conductance was likely mediated by F189Y as it was blocked by divalent cations. We also observed gap junctions formed by Cx30.3 and Cx30.3 F189Y in paired oocytes and will discuss the properties of these junctions.
Electronic Resource Center (ERC)
Elmer Santos, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
This project aims to address the challenge of efficient electronic resource management by developing the Electronic Resource Center (ERC). ERC provides a centralized platform for storing and accessing information about electronic resources offered by various organizations. By integrating user-friendly interface, robust search functionalities, and security measures, LERC promises to streamline resource management processes and enhance accessibility for users across different domains. The large number of resources poses a challenge to efficiently manage and access relevant information. The Electronic Resource Center (ERC) project is being created to provide a solution to this problem by offering a centralized platform for storing, organizing, and accessing resources data electronically. This project is essential to address the growing need for streamlined resource management in the school, this application can also be used by other organizations. The development of Lafayette Electronic Resource Center (LERC) will utilize Visual Basic (VB) programming language for its user interface design and prototyping. The project will leverage data validation mechanisms to ensure the accuracy and consistency of resource information. Additionally, ERC will integrate file handling capabilities, enabling users to save and load electronic resource data for enhanced data persistence and portability. Upon completion, the Electronic Resource Center (ERC) project will offer users a user-friendly interface for efficient electronic resource management. Users can expect robust search functionalities, enhanced data validation, and improved accessibility to electronic resource information. By providing a centralized platform for resource management, ERC aims to streamline processes and empower users across various domains.
Full Stack Web Application: To-Do Tracker
Brandon Vasquez, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
The primary focus of this research project is to develop a comprehensive to-do list tracker as a full-stack web application, encompassing both front and back ends. The main goal is to create a highly beneficial tool tailored specifically for college students, acknowledging the crucial role of time management and task prioritization in academic and real-world contexts. The aim is to provide a robust solution that enhances productivity and organization. To address the need for an efficient task management system, a variety of technologies will be leveraged, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL (Structured Query Language), EJS (Embedded JavaScript), Git, and potentially APIs and security measures. The front end will utilize HTML, CSS and EJS, while the back end will rely on PostgreSQL. The server-side will be implemented using JavaScript, Node.js, and frameworks like Express.js from Node Package Manager (NPM). Development will be facilitated by Visual Studio Code as the IDE, with GitHub/Git managing version control and repository management, and pgAdmin handling database operations. Expected outcomes of this project will primarily include a fully functional full-stack web application where users can create accounts, log in, and efficiently manage their to-do lists. Users will have the capability to create, edit, delete, and prioritize tasks, empowering them to effectively organize their responsibilities. To ensure user privacy and data security, secure user authentication mechanisms will be implemented.
2023 LSAMP SCHOLARS
Antibacterial Properties of the Pyrazine-Piperazine Derivatives
Jadelene Adams, Biology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Olga Novikova
With the rise of the bacterial resistance to antibiotics in the population, there has been a great effort to address this global health issue by innovating new antibacterial compounds that can combat the resistance with precisive bacterial targets. This current study aims to evaluate the potency of the synthesized compounds against gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. The core of the compound, pyrazine-piperazine (PYZ_PY), was synthesized using the Buchwald Hartwig Amination reaction. The compound was further diversified at the N-terminus by coupling with different heterocyclic carboxylic acids. The MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of the resultant analogs was measured by high-throughput assay against bacteria, S. aureus, and E. coli, using standard protocol measuring optical density (OD) on the plate reader. For each trial, antibiotic chloramphenicol was used as a control treatment, while untreated bacterial cultures were used as the negative control. The MIC experiments were followed by plating of the cultures and direct colony count to verify OD observations. Additionally, we performed a Kirby Bauer assay following established standard protocol. Our preliminary data suggest that at least one of the compounds, the derivative furoic acid PYZ_PY, exhibits potential antibacterial qualities against the gram-positive S. aureus. In the future, the experimental compounds will be demethylated at the hydroxyl ends and tested against S. aureus and E. coli to determine their effectiveness.
Converting Analog to Digital: An FPGA and Raspberry Pi Adventure!
Lawrence Bailey, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Goldberg
The goal of this research project is to control an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), which is an important electronic device that converts real-world sensor data, such as temperature and pressure, into digital form, where it can be processed and displayed. The ADC will be controlled over a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) using both a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) circuit and a Raspberry Pi single-chip computer. Analog test signals will be fed to the ADC, and the digitized values will be sent to the controller using the SPI protocol. The controller will then display the original analog information. This project will involve designing the FPGA circuit and programming the Raspberry Pi using Python programming language. The FPGA on an Altera DE1 Development and Education Board will be used and programmed by the Quartus II software tool. The MCP3004 Integrated Circuit (IC) chip will be used as the 10-bit ADC to convert the analog signals to digital signals. The expected results will be compared to the actual results and analyzed using test equipment such as an oscilloscope and digital voltmeter.
College Connect App
Khallid Barber, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarbani Banerjee
College Connects is a mobile application that connects users with local service providers, who are mostly college students, for lawn care and snow shoveling. Users can input their address, zip code and the date of service. The app will provide a list of local service providers. Once the user selects a provider, the app will give them a quote based on the service needs. By using College Connects App, users can save time and money in searching for service providers and can rest assured that they will be getting quality service. The main goal is to develop an App compatible on both Android and iOS smartphones so that clients can easily upload required information and get same day quotes for their service. This App will be designed and debugged using Flutter open-source UI. Flutter is a mobile application development framework developed by Google that allows developers to build high-performance, visually appealing, and feature-rich mobile applications for multiple platforms using a single codebase. Flutter uses the Dart programming language, which is designed for cross-platform development and enables developers to write code that can be compiled to native machine code for multiple platforms. The Dart language is well-suited for building scalable and flexible applications with features that make it easy to work with asynchronous code. Overall, Dart and Flutter provide an efficient and powerful solution for building cross-platform mobile applications.
Walking the Rover
Eric Barton, Computer Information Systems
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gang Hu
This research project aims to develop a more intuitive and efficient control system for the Rover. In prior research, a remote-control system with a graphical user interface has been implemented successfully. Current research will focus on implementing a laser-pointer-based control system using computer vision techniques. Specifically, the project proposes to use the OpenCV library to detect the laser point and move the Rover accordingly. A camera mounted on the Rover will be used to detect the laser-point and navigate to a given destination. The image processing pipeline involves converting the video frame to the HSV color space and applying a color filter to extract the laser-point. To reduce noise, the mask, frame, and HSV layers are compared and will look for the color filter on these video frames. The coordinates of the laser point will be saved in an array and used to create gestures such as spin or reverse. The coordinates are taken from the laser point and used to control where and how the Rover moves. Python packages such as OpenCV, Numpy, and Pyfirmata will be utilized. The proposed laser-pointer-based control system offers a more natural and streamlined interface compared to traditional controls. With the laser-point controls it resembles walking a well-trained dog on a leash. The laser-pointer-based control system serves as an introduction to controlling the Rover using computer vision, with the goal of achieving fully autonomous travel.
Manganese Oxides for Selective Oxidation Reactions: Stoichiometric vs Catalytic
Jonathan Grant, Chemistry
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sourav Biswas
Manganese oxides are prevalent materials for catalyzing selective oxidation reactions, stemming from their affordability and performance. The catalytic properties of manganese oxides are strongly related to the easily tunable redox properties due to easily exchangeable multiple oxidation states of Mn and their oxygen reducing ability. However, to obtain reasonable performance, a stoichiometric (could range anywhere from 2 times to 5 times the amount of the reactants) amount of commercially available manganese oxides is often required for selective oxidation reactions. In this study, we synthesize different structural forms of manganese oxides by sol-gel redox process and identify the potential catalytic Mn oxide materials for selective oxidation reactions. Our major focus is on OMS (octahedral molecular sieves) series of manganese oxides, which have been known to be prepared in various structural forms with tunable physicochemical properties. Selective oxidation of benzoyl alcohol to benzaldehyde is used as a probe reaction with potential expansion to oxidative C-H functionalization.
Inexpensive Voltmeter and Digital Trainer Using the Arduino Electronics Platform
Diamond Hamilton, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Goldberg
This research involves the implementation of a Digital Voltmeter and Digital Circuit Trainer using the Arduino Microcontroller system. The Arduino is an inexpensive open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. The voltmeter and trainer can be used by students in the freshman circuits class, as well as by home hobbyists, to monitor analog circuit voltages, and to provide test inputs and indicators for digital circuits. To obtain a voltage reading of a circuit node, the node can be connected by wire to one of the Arduino Analog input channels. The Arduino’s analog sensor is able to convert the given voltage into a digital value that is comprehensive to the Arduino’s microcontroller. The digital value can then be processed and displayed by the microcontroller. The Arduino is connected to a PC and so the values obtained from the Analog readings can be viewed on the PC monitor. The system will be designed to have clear well-documented information sent to the PC monitor. For digital circuits, the Arduino Digital Write and Digital Read functions can be used to test the circuits. The digital output pins of the Arduino can be used as inputs to the student’s digital circuit. The Arduino digital input pins can connect to and monitor the outputs of the student’s circuit so that students can compare their actual outputs with expected results.
Application of Cyber Physical Systems in Automation Control
Gedion Melesse, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilya Grinberg
The 4th industrial revolution, also known as Industrie 4.0, is being promoted by the newly emerging research in the field of cyber physical manufacturing systems, which integrates computer science with manufacturing science and technology. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) generally focuses on the integration of the physical world with cyberspace. It is the incorporation of physical components with data acquisition, control, and communication in an automation environment. At present time, CPS is the point of interest for numerous academia, governmental and industrial sectors. Empowered by the recent development in the Internet of Things and cloud computing technologies, CPS are evolving as a major contributor during and post the product manufacturing process. Cyber products now have a virtual space in addition to their real physical space. A product's virtual space is a digital duplicate that is connected to it so that manufacturers and their consumers may better manufacture, supervise, maintain, and utilize it over the course of its life cycles. Although the development of production technologies and CPS has undoubtedly benefited manufacturers, they have also had to address the risks that these interconnected systems pose to their operations. The manufacturing industry as a whole is well aware of this threat, and many manufacturers claim that cyber security is an essential part of their automated operations. This research project seeks to provide the findings from studies on the use of cyber physical systems in automation and the creation of such systems for intelligent manufacturing. The ever-growing need for implementation of cybersecurity and other protective systems will also be discussed. The cyber physical systems architecture and its application in manufacturing will also be explored in this project. This project will also emphasize the importance of cloud computing and the Internet of Things in industrial manufacturing and factory automation. The final product will consist of a paper and brief powerpoint presentation. The findings of the research will be thoroughly discussed in the paper and the presentation will briefly cover the results.
Research Aspect of COSMOS III
Makaih Rivas, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilya Grinberg
DC motor control is a critical aspect of many industrial and automation systems. The ability to precisely control the speed, torque, and direction of a DC motor is essential for a wide range of applications, from robotics and manufacturing to automotive and aerospace systems. DC motors are widely used due to their high efficiency, reliability, and ease of control. However, controlling a DC motor can be complex, as it requires precise control of the voltage, current, and position of the rotor. In recent years, advances in power electronics, microprocessors, and control algorithms have led to significant improvements in DC motor control systems. Various control techniques such as PID control, fuzzy logic control, and model predictive control have been used to improve the performance of DC motor control systems. Moreover, the development of digital signal processing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology has enabled the implementation of sophisticated control algorithms in real time. This literary paper/presentation provides an overview of DC motor control, including the principles of operation, different types of DC motors, and various control techniques. The advantages and limitations of different control strategies are discussed, along with the factors that affect the performance of DC motor control systems. Finally, recent developments in DC motor control systems are presented, highlighting the challenges and future directions for research in this field.
Different Control Strategies for Variable Frequency Drives
Joshua Van Lew, Engineering Technology
Buffalo State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilya Grinberg
This research project deals with scholarly literature reviews of different control strategies for variable frequency drives (VFD). The goal is to select state-of the art scholarly papers describing various control methods and how they influence VFD performance. Currently I am familiar with four control strategies, such as voltage-frequency control without an encoder, with an encoder, closed-loop vector control, and open-loop vector control. In-depth investigation of these methods as well as other methods involving artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), will allow to identify optimal control strategies for VFD and make recommendations for users how to select most appropriate control technique for their specific applications.