CEHC Hosts New Trends in Informatics Research Conference
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 3, 2024)- Information Science PhD (INF PhD) students at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity recently hosted a conference on campus that exposed students to information and sustainability topics.
The Information Science doctoral program is an interdisciplinary program, bringing together faculty from many schools, colleges, and departments on campus. The New Trends in Informatics Research Conference (NTIR) has been hosted since 2005. From the start, it was intended to create community among the faculty and students who often lack a physical "home" like traditional programs provide.
The two-day conference is run by INF PhD first and second year students and is supported by the Ben Ami Lipetz Foundation for Information Resources, Science and Technology (FIRST). The theme was information for a sustainable future.
"Our students worked so hard organizing this conference and it was evident," said Dr. Catherine Dumas, Interim Director of INF PhD Program. "We had over 160 attendees over the two days of presentations and workshops. The skills that our students learn from organizing and participating in a conference like this set them up for success in their future as researchers and scholars. Many of them have never presented at a conference before, so presenting to their peers and faculty provides a safe environment for them to practice and build up their confidence for future presentations."
The first day of the conference kicked off with keynote speaker Jonathan Rochelle '85, vice president of product management at LinkedIn and member of the CEHC Advisory Board. Students attended sessions on risk, information and society, integrating AI into the classroom and AI and games for social change.
"The NTIR Conference experience was amazing and it was great to listen to the keynote speaker Jonathan Rochelle give different perspectives in different areas," said Information Science PhD student Muhammad Saidur Rahman. "It was great to see the panels, workshops, and I've learned so much. I'm really happy to be a part of this conference."
Day two of the conference included keynote speaker Jennifer Wei, project scientist for NASA's Earth Science Data and Information Systems, with a closing plenary from Kaiqun Fu, assistant professor at South Dakota State University. Students were able to attend workshops on quantum computing, future proofing education through XR and group talks on cybersecurity awareness and evaluating response data from wireless emergency alerts.
The last sessions for each day of the conference included poster presentations, where PhD students gave a one-minute presentation on research they are conducting.
"I initiated good connections with other professionals and will seek further cooperation with them," said Rawan Almakinah, an Information Science PhD student. "I loved every part of NTIR, especially the poster sessions where we mingled with other peers and professionals and exchanged information and knowledge. NTIR boosted my confidence in presenting at other conferences. It was a golden opportunity to present my work at my second home and among my CEHC family."