Smart Cities and Connected Communities
Integrating people, data, devices, infrastructure, and institutions to realize the potential of communities.
Research Projects
REU Supplement: SCC-IRG Track 1: Inclusive Public Transit Toolkit to Assess Quality of Service Across Socioeconomic Status in Baltimore City
Principal Investigator(s): Vanessa Frias-Martinez Jessica Vitak Christopher Antoun
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design > Future of Work > Human-Computer Interaction > Smart Cities and Connected Communities
Principal Investigator(s): Vanessa Frias-Martinez Jessica Vitak Christopher Antoun
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design > Future of Work > Human-Computer Interaction > Smart Cities and Connected Communities
Detecting and Mapping War-induced Damage to Agricultural Fields in Ukraine using Multi-Modal Remote Sensing Data
Principal Investigator(s): Sergii Skakun
Funder: NASA Other Federal
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Human-Computer Interaction > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Smart Cities and Connected Communities > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project advances remote sensing methods to map war-induced damage to Ukraine’s agricultural fields using infrared and visible spectrum satellite data. By developing deep-learning and data fusion techniques, the research will detect artillery craters, burned areas, and abandoned fields to assess the war’s impact on agriculture at scale.
Principal Investigator(s): Sergii Skakun
Funder: NASA Other Federal
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Human-Computer Interaction > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Smart Cities and Connected Communities > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project advances remote sensing methods to map war-induced damage to Ukraine’s agricultural fields using infrared and visible spectrum satellite data. By developing deep-learning and data fusion techniques, the research will detect artillery craters, burned areas, and abandoned fields to assess the war’s impact on agriculture at scale.
NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J: NourishNet – A Food Recovery Toolbox
Principal Investigator(s): Vanessa Frias-Martinez
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Future of Work > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Smart Cities and Connected Communities
NourishNet is developing tools to fight food insecurity and waste, including FoodLoops, a platform for surplus food distribution, and Quantum Nose, a sensor that detects early food spoilage. By combining real-time data, consumer education, and stakeholder collaboration, the project strengthens food system resiliency and promotes equitable access to healthy food.
Principal Investigator(s): Vanessa Frias-Martinez
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Future of Work > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Smart Cities and Connected Communities
NourishNet is developing tools to fight food insecurity and waste, including FoodLoops, a platform for surplus food distribution, and Quantum Nose, a sensor that detects early food spoilage. By combining real-time data, consumer education, and stakeholder collaboration, the project strengthens food system resiliency and promotes equitable access to healthy food.
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Recent News
A new UMD study offers approaches for food banks to strengthen both community well-being and local food systems while giving clients more and better meal choices. (Photo by iStock) via Maryland Today.
Maryland Today: UMD Study: Food Pantries, Clients and Growers Can All Take Steps to Address Hunger
INFO’s Vanessa Frías-Martínez co-leads a UMD study outlining data-driven reforms to improve food pantry access, equity, and nutriti …
Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via Mikhailov Studio
AGNR News: Setting Food Pantries Up for Success
INFO’s Dr. Vanessa Frias-Martinez co-leads research to make Maryland’s food charity system more just and accessible
Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via FEEZAN ALI