The California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, or Calit2, is a UC Irvine-UC San Diego Partnership. Calit2 comprises one of four California Institutes for Science and Innovation within the University of California. In its recently opened 120,000-square-foot tech-savvy facility, Calit2 at UCI conducts collaborative research in areas as diverse as the environment, transportation, emergency management, health care, global economics, education and entertainment, seeking innovative information technology approaches that will benefit society and ignite economic development. For more information visit www.calit2.net.

Using Technology to Enhance Emergency Response

Sharad Mehrotra, a computer science systems professor, directs Project ResCUE, which stands for Responding to Crises and Unexpected Events. Project researchers are studying ways to enhance emergency responders’ ability to gather, manage, use and disseminate information to other responders and to the public. Mehrotra also researches Internet technology and systems software. Mehrotra can be reached through Shellie Nazarenus at 949-824-9622 or snaz@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Stephen Jenks, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, is expanding the capabilities of the Highly Interactive Parallelized Display Wall at Calit2. The HIPerWall is the world’s highest-resolution grid-based display for visualizing and manipulating massive sets of data. The 50-panel, 23-foot-by-9-foot wall provides a resolution of 200 million pixels that bring to life biomedical images, climate datasets and geographical data. Researchers used the wall to display satellite and aerial images of New Orleans pre- and post-Hurricane Katrina, advancing research that one day will allow emergency responders to react to crises more quickly. Jenks can be reached through Shellie Nazarenus at 949-824-9622 or snaz@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Designing, Assessing and Monitoring Infrastructure

Maria Feng, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, studies experimental mechanics, structural analysis and design, structural dynamics, and vibration control. Her work focuses on the science and technology of earthquake and wind protection, structural health monitoring and damage detection methods for civil infrastructure systems. She is developing optical fiber sensors to monitor the soundness of bridges and other structures. Feng is leading research in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey that monitors the Calit2 building at UCI  for movement in response to earthquakes or other ground activity. Feng can be reached through Shellie Nazarenus at 949-824-9622 or snaz@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology

Jason Mednick
949-824-5951
jmednick@uci.edu