The focus of this research was to better understand the change processes necessary for university science teaching reform to be successful. The professional development processes involved faculty cognitive perceptions of learning, teaching skills, and pedagogical knowledge, as well as faculty culture in teaching science courses. A series of faculty development programs were conducted at nine U.S. locations to explore, develop strategies, and implement changes in science classrooms. A review of research and these professional development experiences provided a base to carry out research activities related to understanding change in science faculty. Faculty participants in the program from 30 institutions were selected to be involved in the study. Ethnographic and case study approaches were used to collect and analyze data. Many faculty members encountered in this study had conceptions of the change process that inhibited successful action. These research efforts provide a predictive model for assisting faculty change and help determine which faculty professional development efforts may be successful in overcoming barriers to change in undergraduate science classrooms.

The use of soft-computing algorithms in hardware-in-the-loop applications has been investigated. A Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) classical controller and a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) were designed and successfully tested on the Turbine Technologies SR-30 turbojet engine for the main-stage operation of the engine. Transfer function model of the plant was obtained using frequency-response method. Closed-loop controllers both with the PID and FLC algorithms were tested in a simulated environment before their application. Additionally, application of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) for the start-up sequence of the engine was investigated and a BBN design has been made.

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working on her PhD degree in Environmental Engineering with minors in Water Resources and Statistics. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography (minor in Hydrology) from the "Babes-Bolyai" University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania in 2001. She is currently working as student program coordinator for Engineering Math Advancement Program combining administrative and teaching duties. Her research interests include the magnitude of impervious surfaces in urban watersheds, the distribution of the contaminants produced by different land uses, and heavy metals in stormwater.

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