{"id":103979,"date":"2019-09-27T15:12:24","date_gmt":"2019-09-28T01:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=103979"},"modified":"2019-09-27T15:12:24","modified_gmt":"2019-09-28T01:12:24","slug":"data-science-reef-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2019\/09\/27\/data-science-reef-research\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> Hilo students apply data science to reef research"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Field work for the summer research program was completed in Kona and Laehala on Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island to determine if each surveyed colony is affected by a disease. (Photo Credit: John Burns)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A team of University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo<\/a> faculty and undergraduate students investigated whether or not computer vision tools can detect disease on coral reefs as well as the human eye and found that machines can complement human evaluation.<\/p>\n

As part of a five-week research experience conducted over the summer, the team analyzed the accuracy of physical eyes-on surveys conducted in the water compared to surveys based on photographs of the reef. The main goal of the project was to develop advanced tools in data science in order to answer cross-disciplinary environmental questions.<\/p>\n

Students studying data science at UH<\/abbr> Hilo learn skills in acquiring, archiving and extracting knowledge from data in its various forms in order to find solutions to problems. UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s certificate in data science<\/a> program also focuses on teaching students how to successfully communicate to peers and the public about the underlying structure and patterns found within the data being generated.<\/p>\n

Combining strengths<\/h2>\n

UH<\/abbr> Hilo undergraduate students with a background in marine science<\/a> and computer science<\/a> were encouraged to apply for the summer program. The research course had both field and classroom components and included a blend of marine science, statistics and computer science activities. Students were challenged to apply advanced statistics, master a variety of deep learning methods, and learn about the health and structure of underwater coral communities.<\/p>\n

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Students processed imagery of the coral reef study plots into 3D models using computer vision algorithms. (Photo Credit: John Burns)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sofia Ferreira<\/strong>, a UH<\/abbr> Hilo marine science major, said she enjoyed interacting with students from other majors. “We had to work together because the marine science people know how to survey, but when it comes to incorporating these machine learning methods, we need the computer science students to help with it. This internship made me want to pursue the data science certificate.”<\/p>\n