ANNAPOLIS, Md (March 10, 2014) -- Samantha Wallace from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Human Research and Engineering Directorate presented her dissertation research to students, faculty, staff and alumni from Morgan State University at the University's 4th annual "Innovation Day" celebration that was held at the Miller Senate Office Building in Annapolis, Md., Feb. 20.

The annual showcase of faculty and student research and industrial development offers an interactive opportunity for lawmakers and citizens to learn more about Morgan's strategic plans for commercializing science and technological innovation for Maryland's emerging STEM industries.

"Morgan is an international partner in a wide range of research fields and industries," said Dr. David Wilson, president, Morgan State University. "Morgan Innovation Day is a chance for our elected officials and neighbors to see research and development in action and to see first-hand what investment in Morgan achieves for the good of the state and the nation."

Wallace, who is an electronics engineer (optics) in HRED's Perceptual Sciences Branch, has worked at ARL for nearly six years. She was nominated by her advisors at Morgan State University to present her dissertation research at the event.

"I was asked to present my material, because it's novel and interdisciplinary," said Wallace. "My research constructing a computer model to analyze the focus constraints of night-vision devices was a collaboration between the electrical engineering and psychometrics programs."

Wallace showcased ARL's research efforts with Morgan State University.

"I created a texture and edge-based computational model to determine the saliency of a region of interest (ROI) in imagery at various focus distances," said Wallace. "In other words, my model is used to evaluate imagery to determine if an ROI stands out from its background or is camouflaged by its background. This is important to improve the way night-vision devices are focused by the user to accurately identify threats."

Wallace was thrilled to share her research with those attending the event.

"I was excited to be able to present my research to Dr. David Wilson, the president of Morgan State University and to Kweisi Mfume, the Chairman of the Board of Regents," said Wallace. "Maryland State Senators and Delegates were also present at the event."

Her supervisor, Bruce Amrein couldn't be more proud.

"Samantha's research has the potential to improve the usability of night-vision goggles. It's always rewarding to see ARL's educational opportunities benefit both the researcher and our Soldiers," said Amrein.

Founded in 1867, Morgan State University is a Carnegie classified Doctoral Research Institution offering more than 70 academic programs leading to bachelor's degrees as well as programs at the master's and doctoral levels. Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible.

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ARL is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness-technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment-to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates
with it, AMC provides it.