Amela Sadagic, PhD: Portfolio (1987

PORTFOLIO (1987 - present)

Amela Sadagic, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Naval Postgraduate School
The MOVES Institute

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		3D Display and Capture of Humans for Live-Virtual Training web: project web page description: We are carrying out research, development, and evaluation of work in both 3D display and sensing, initially aimed at Mixed/Augmented Reality-based live-virtual training, but with potential for broader impact. The first component of the work is aimed at a new idea for creating physically present virtual humans in 3D, without the need for HMDs or special time/phase/wavelength glasses. Our basic approach is to extend our earlier work in projector-based Shader Lamps to dynamically remap the shape and appearance of virtual or real humans onto human-shaped display surfaces. The second component of the work is aimed at a new idea for hybrid global/body-relative and cooperative estimation of full kinematic body and weapon posture, supporting multiple individuals working in close proximity during training exercises, for both kinetic and non-kinetic scenarios. The third component of the work is aimed at obtaining a thorough understanding of a relevant training domain, its actors, and their specific needs (both current and projected). This involves the investigation and reporting on the basic elements of their acting in related environment in the context of the 3D display and sensing efforts. MOVES segment: domain analysis of three different training environments/domains (fire drills on ships and submarines, urban warfare operations, tactical cultural awareness training), and a series of user studies in a domain of Shader Lamps-based physical avatars. sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR) collaborating institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) - lead, and Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) my role: co-PI on joint project (FY09 - FY12: four years project)

		Behavioral Analysis and Synthesis for Intelligent Training - BASE-IT web: project web page , concept figure description: A primary objective is to develop a state-of-the-art intelligent training system for pre/in/post evaluation using behavior analysis, review, and behavior synthesis as well as a set of training approaches, aimed to support a wide range of training and operational needs in preparing for and conducting the training in MOUT facilities. Our proposed approach is to use an in situ network of automatically-controlled pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras, and personal position and orientation sensing devices, to create static three-dimensional (3D) environment models, dynamic 3D participant models, and dynamic multi-dimensional participant pose tracks that can be viewed from any perspective. The system will include automatic semantic parsing of the dynamic models and tracks, with interactive and automatic configuration, event detection, and annotation to increase the usefulness and effectiveness of reviewed material. We also plan to devise a novel set of training and instructional approaches specially designed for this set of systems and tools. sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR) collaborating institutions: Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) - lead, Sarnoff Corporation and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) partners: TECOM, PM TRASYS, TTECG other NPS faculty members involved: Dr. Chris Darken, Dr. Neil Rowe, Dr. Mathias Kolsch and Delta3D team my role: PI for the three institutions team (FY08 - FY11: four years project)

		Studying the Synergy of Virtual Training Simulations and Novel Training Methodologies for Training of the Ground Officers, and Evaluation of Training Effectiveness web: / description: This research effort engages the faculty and students in tackling two groups of research issues: firstly it is a design of novel training approaches, instructional strategies and pedagogies specially created to be used in a conjunction with the virtual training simulations with the goal to maximize the likelihood of getting positive training results in those systems, and secondly the scientifically based investigation of the effectiveness of the same methodologies when used with selected virtual training simulations and with specific user population. The nature of our research, the form of investigation and the data collected in the study will be designed in a way that ensures the applicability of the same results to all DoD services (Navy, Marine Corps, Army) and for a wider family of virtual training simulations. sponsor: Navy Modeling and Simulation Office (NMSO) partners: TECOM, TBS and IOC (Quantico, VA) my role: PI (2007, ongoing project)

		X3D-Earth: Archivable Composed Collaborative Web-Based 3D Visualization with Global Geospatial Context for Complex Analysis and Evaluation of Intelligence Products web: X3D-Earth Workshop (Nov 14-15, 2006, Monterey, CA): www.web3d.org/news/events/index.php#x3dearth_workshop description: The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) Institute proposes the X3D-Earth project for creation of a vast integrated analytical visualization framework not bound to specific devices, data sources, data formats, or rendering applications, but based on open standards facilitating interchange and interoperability across diverse systems for collaborating teams of intelligence analysts. Studies that I lead: baseline study, user studies (explore novel user metaphors and complex display solutions in support of specific requirements generated by domain users possible to be served by X3D solutions), evaluation of the user effectiveness while using X3D solutions. sponsor: DTO partners: Aniviza, Inc., Intelligraphics, Media Machines, Planet 9, Polished Pixels, Yumetech, Ping my role: co-PI with Dr. Don Brutzman (FY07 - FY09)

		Evaluation of the Training Effectiveness of Virtual Simulations in Support of Team Performance and Collective Training Standards: Tactical Decision-Making Training Situations for Small Units Level web: / description: The main objectives of the proposed project are firstly to investigate training effectiveness of virtual training simulations in support of Collective Training Standards (CTS) and small unit level performance, and secondly to establish a firmer basis on guidelines, training opportunities and potential that this kind of systems and tools provides to address growing training needs exhibited by different DoD departments (US Navy, Army and Marine Corps). Our hypothesis is that the strategic use of virtual training simulations does contribute towards higher effectiveness in training, affecting the learning results and motivation. sponsor: Navy Modeling and Simulation Office (NMSO) partners: TECOM, TBS and IOC (Quantico, VA) my role: PI (2005-2006)

		Evaluation of the Training Effectiveness of Virtual Simulations in Support of Collective Training Standards": Platoon Level Training for Convoy Operations web: / description: The goal of this study is to evaluate the initial effectiveness of the use of a virtual training system in support of Collective Training Standards in convoy operations training situations, when training is introduced to the users/Marines for the first time. The study will determine if the training simulation, being an added constitutive part of entire training cycle and preparation for Mojave Viper, brings a better and/or faster initial improvement in overall skill level for the selected skill set. sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR), VIRTE program partners: USMC TTECG (Twentynine Palms, CA) my role: PI (2005-2006)

		Empirical Benchmark Study of Collective Performance in Combined Arms Training web: / description: Empirical study of training situation, procedures, metrics and evaluation of overall preparedness of multiple units within Marine Corps prior to their participation in a large scale collective training situation. The study includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of all units performance and establishing a set of benchmarks to be used for future training. These benchmarks can serve as a reference points when aiming for optimal training environment that will provide best performance for several kinds of units. A special attention is given to the role that training simulators have in enhancing unitsÕ performance in collective training situations. sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR), VIRTE program partners: USMC TTECG (Twentynine Palms, CA) my role: PI (2004-2006)

		Megaconference Jr. web: megaconferencejr.cciu.org description: The Student Megaconference (Megaconference Jr.) is a new project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time using advanced multi-point cideo conferencing technology. my role: Member of the Steering Committee, Member of the Program Committee, consultant (2003/04)

		Distance Learning web: www.maritimeaquarium.org description: A study of the state of the art technological solutions and educational projects that use videoconferencing systems in distance learning framework. The study provided detailed recommendations for the best educational approaches and institutional policies to be used in future programs to be offered by the Aquarium. my role: Co-author of the study, technology consultant (2004)

		Internet Radio Project web: www.projectkir.org description: project engages youth in digital opportunities throught active practice and the act of creation. Through project web site youth can create digital audio content and present it to their peers world-wide. my role: Technology and education consultant (2004-present)

		ViDe Videoconferencing Cookbook Version 4.0 web: www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook description: one of the best and most referenced on-line resources dedicated to IP videoconferencing. my role: Lead and major contributor for K-12 section (new section in this version of the cookbook; 2003/04)

		Virtual Marine Biology - Seals on Camera web: www.wave3software.com/briarcliff.html Top 10 Innovative Projects http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=16000694 description: distance learning project that connected a grup of students from Briarcliff HS and experts from the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Project explored multidisciplinary approach and remote collaboration with scientists and staff members from the Aquarium. The Technology and Learning magazine has selected this project as one of Top 10 innovative projects in 2003 (listed 2nd in the article). my role: Project co-designer and a consultant (2002/03)

		Exploring the Future of Learning web: Internet2 K-20: k20.internet2.edu/projects/view_project.php?id=60 report (pdf): www.pelegroup.net/resources/EFL-Event2002-report.pdf article: "Exploring the Future of Learning at ThinkQuest Live!" www.infotoday.com/MMschools/oct02/thinkquest.htm description: a national initiative with the goal to identify a framework in which the education community could engage and leverage the use of emerging technologies and broadband networking in learning. The initiative engaged researchers, educators and industry in discussing and exploring the opportunities and challenges that those technologies bring to the future of learning. my role: Director of Programs and researcher (2001/03)

		Imagining the Future web: Internet2 K-20: k20.internet2.edu/projects/mu_imaginingfuture.html , Moanalua High School: www.mohs.k12.hi.us/imagine/index-imagine.html slides (ppt): "Imagining the Future: student centered exploration of learning applications and systems" www.pelegroup.net/resources/NECC2002-AS.ppt article: "Exploring the Future of Learning at ThinkQuest Live!" www.infotoday.com/MMschools/oct02/thinkquest.htm description: this project engaged students and educators in exploring and giving ideas on how young people will learn when they have access to advanced technologies, including high-performance broadband networks (primarily Internet2 but also wireless networks), large-scale public digital resources, rich digital media, and powerful platforms for creating educational products. Student teams produced 26 ideas and built web sites that described their designs. my role: Project creator and a director (2001/02)

		Internet2: Application Quality of Service (QoS) Needs Design Team web: qos.internet2.edu/wq/apps , Internet2: www.internet2.edu description: the main objective of this design team was to help acquire a better understanding of QoS needs that advanced Internet2 applications exercise. The design group was an interface between application people and networking people, helping both to reach better common understanding of the QoS requirements of various applications and how those requirements could be met using new network services that are provided (or could realistically be provided) in Internet2 environment. my role: Chairperson

		National Tele-immersion Initiative web: www.advanced.org/teleimmersion.html , UNC Office of the Future: www.cs.unc.edu/Research/stc/ article: Jaron Lanier "Virtually There", Scientific American, April 2001 http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/stc/inthenews/pdf/sciam_2001_0401.pdf description: research consortium sponsored by Advanced Network and Services ($10 million investment) and NSF, formed in collaboration with several US universities. An Internet2 application developed through the work of this research initiative enabled users at geographically distributed sites to collaborate in real time in a shared, simulated environment as if they are in the same physical room. This new paradigm of human-computer interaction represents the ultimate synthesis of broadband networking and media technologies. partners: Brown University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, with past participation of the Naval Postgraduate School (NSP) my role: Researcher and a technical coordinator of multiple university research teams and the central NTII laboratory (1999, 2000)

		Efficient Image Display for Head-Slaved Viewing of Virtual Environments description: PhD Thesis, defended in Mar 1999, Computer Science Department, University College London, United Kingdom. thesis advisor: Professor Mel Slater abstract (a short version): The efficient resolution of visibility in polygonal scenes was and still is one of the most demanding tasks in computer graphics. A need for faster algorithms is becoming even more important to fulfill the requirements of real-time Virtual Reality (VR) systems, and in particular immersive VR systems. The thesis investigates the construction of visibility algorithm that makes use of the resulting viewpoint movement coherence, where visibility information computed with the respect to one viewpoint may be incrementally adjusted for a subsequent viewpoint without the necessity for a full visibility computation for each frame. A special Viewpoint Movement Space (VpMS) data structure and algorithm have been designed, and results of multiple scenes rendering have been elaborated. The experimental results showed improvement in the frame rate when compared to the use of BSP trees. Methods for utilizing the same data structure for collision detection and image based rendering are discussed as well.

		The Walkthrough Project web: www.cs.unc.edu/~walk/ description: Research into creating interactive computer graphics systems that enable a viewer to experience an architectural model by simulating a walk through of the model. my role: Visiting Researcher - 3 months Summer 1997 internship hosted by Dr. Fred Brooks, Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), NC.

		COVEN web: www.crg.cs.nott.ac.uk/research/projects/Coven/ System: DIVE: Distributed Interactive Virtual Environment description: EC ACTS funded project focused on the development of a computational service for teleworking and virtual presence. The overall objective of the project is to provide the facilities needed to support future cooperative teleworking systems. The project is a unique endeavour that brings together expertise on communications infrastructures; computer supported cooperative work; virtual reality (VR) and animation to provide support for a European wide distributed virtual environment (VE). Partners in the project included: Division Ltd., EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Integrated Information Systems Ltd, KPN Research, Lancaster University, Swedish Institute of Computer Science, Thomson-CSF: Laboratoire Central de Recherches, TNO Physics and Electronics, University College London, University of Geneva: Mira Lab and University of Nottingham. my role: Researcher (1996/98)

		Inhabiting the Web - Inhabit web: www.crg.cs.nott.ac.uk/research/projects/Inhabit/ Publications: www.crg.cs.nott.ac.uk/research/projects/Inhabit/#publications System: MASSIVE description: MASSIVE: Model, Architecture and System for Spatial Interaction in Virtual Environments. Partners in the project included: University of Nottingham, Lancaster University, University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University College London and British Telecom Labs. my role: Researcher (1997)

		PROGRAPH II web: Energoinvest Co.: www.energoinvest.com PHIGS Standard: www.itl.nist.gov/iaui/vu/cugini/pvt/hy-std.html PHIGS (Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHIGS description: Research program founded by the Bosnian Ministry of Science and Culture, and Energoinvest Company (Institute for Automatics and Computer Science (IRCA)). The goal of the program was to design and build a new graphics workstation, with appropriate suite of graphics applications. PHIGS (ISO standard: ISO/IEC 9592 and ISO/IEC 9593) was one component of that environment my role: Senior Researcher and a team leader responsible for the implementation of PHIGS (The Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System) graphics standard for PROGRAPH II graphics workstation, including a low level graphics library and drivers (1987-1992)