NDSU has named an interdisciplinary group of seven members to its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Advisory Panel, according to Kelly A. Rusch, vice president for research and creative activity.
The panel provides a forum for discussion and feedback about unmanned aircraft systems, known as UAS, throughout campus. The group meets monthly to discuss the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, services, research and logistics of unmanned aerial vehicles.
“This panel represents NDSU’s unique systems and applications expertise and another step in continued UAS exploration that benefits the state, our communities and campus participants,” said NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani.
“The advisory panel provides a mechanism to foster cross collaboration of UAS research spanning colleges and disciplines,” said NDSU Provost Beth Ingram. “This, in turn, serves to advance opportunities for students and faculty seeking to engage UAS technology in innovative ways.”
Members of the NDSU UAS Advisory Panel include:
- Sreekala Bajwa, head of agricultural and biosystems engineering; College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
- Jeff Bumgarner, head of criminal justice and political science; College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Anne Denton, associate professor of computer science; College of Science and Mathematics
- Adam Marx, assistant professor, School of Education; College of Human Development and Education
- Herb Snyder, head of accounting, finance and information systems; College of Business
- Yildirim Bora Suzen, associate professor of mechanical engineering; College of Engineering
- Don Warne, chair of the Department of Public Health; College of Health Professions
“North Dakota is a focus of opportunity for the UAS industry, including use in many different research and educational arenas. There are vast opportunities for researchers to become engaged by incorporating UAVs into their research,” Rusch said.
Advisory panel members were tapped for service on the panel by college deans. Facilitator of the NDSU UAS Advisory Panel is Aaron Reinholz, director of research operations in the Office of Research and Creative Activity. Reinholz serves as the NDSU point of contact with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.
North Dakota’s one-team approach provides an unparalleled unmanned aircraft systems research environment through partnership in the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. The Federal Aviation Administration gave its approval allowing unmanned aerial vehicles to fly up to 1,200 feet above the entire state, including night flights.
Initial UAS research at NDSU includes large-scale precision agriculture studies, including a partnership through the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Research ND program in which Elbit Systems of America will work with NDSU researchers on infrared, thermal, color and multi-spectral imagery for crop management. Earlier precision agriculture research has included UAV test flights at NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center.
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