Scientists from around the globe coming to AUM

Researchers, scientists, engineers and other industry leaders from around the globe will gather at Auburn Montgomery beginning Sunday for the 12th annual Society for Design and Process Science Transdisciplinary Conference. The event is being hosted by AUM’s Informatics Institute Nov. 1-5 and the conference will focus on informatics and cyberspace research and education.

Mehmet Sahinoglu, director of the Informatics Institute, said the conference/workshop offers an opportunity for international scientists and thinkers to present their cases in an interdisciplinary framework and to brainstorm viable solutions to the current problems of our times such as security, communications, management or education.

“Through this global event, AUM has captured what might be an effective chance to open a new page on the brink of 2010’s fresh decade, to be proactive in the flow of international trends regarding the two key words of this gathering, Informatics and cyberspace, which are applicable to a slew of disciplines,” said Sahinoglu. “International guests bring global thinking patterns that tend to synergize with the existing trends and create an opportunity to exchange working ideas since one nation’s problems may be another’s solution.”

Sahinoglu said he hopes international guests will return home with knowledge and tools that will enable them to contribute even more to the vibrant cyberspace community.

Guests will participate in activities throughout the conference such as a tour of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts followed by a Chancellor’s reception at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, a riverboat dinner cruise on the Harriott II and sightseeing and dinner in downtown Montgomery.

Sahinoglu said Montgomery was chosen as this year’s location for the SDPS conference in part because of its strategic importance of carrying the banner of Air Force-related Informatics research of cyberspace, eminent from its annual information technology conferences. He said Montgomery was also chosen due to its pleasant climate, historical Southern sightseeing spots  and genuine hospitality.

“This year’s conference is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Percy Levon Julian (1899-1975), an African-American Montgomery native and one of the first transformative scientists, a visionary and transdisciplinarian,” Sahinoglu said.

Speakers include (click for more info):

• Oktay Sinanoglu, Yale University
• David Gibson, IC² Institute
• Gregory L. Garcia, 754th Electronic Systems Group, U.S. Air Force
• Stephen Goldsby, Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc.
• Ibrahim Esat, Brunel University
• Fuad G. Sobrinho, Ambiencia Information Systems
• Eugene H. Spafford, Purdue University
• James Joshi, University of Pittsburgh
• Vir V. Phoha, Louisiana Technical University
• Jay Fraser, Tracer Detection Technology Corp.
• Jim Brazell, Ventureramp
• Raymond A. Paul, Department of Defense

Oct. 29, 2009