Dr. Hanna's research laboratory at Oakland University engages top graduate and undergraduate researchers in theoretical and experimental research.  This research includes mixed-mode systems design, artificial intelligence and signal processing, biosensors and nano-imaging.  Of particular interest are researching techniques for developing high-speed, precision scan probe microscopy (SPM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) processing systems using FPGAs.  The research conducted in Dr. Hanna's lab advances the state of the art in these individual areas while elegantly combining new developments to create embedded systems that push the frontier in SPM nano-imaging towards new applications. 

He would like to dedicate this page to his outstanding students.  
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
- Albert Einstein		 Publications and Pictures
 Lab Alumni

Teachable Moments

Graduate Researchers
Lincoln Lorenz is a Ph.D. student in Embedded Systems at Oakland University. He graduated from Kettering University with a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering with minors in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. His research interests include embedded systems, machine vision, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Lincoln was a co-op in the PLC firmware division of GE Fanuc, where he completed his undergraduate thesis. He previously worked as a co-op writing bolt inspection system software at Sigmatec. He is vice president of the Oakland Robotics Association which participates in the International Ground Vehicle Competition. He enjoys snowboarding, hiking, working on cars, reading, and watching movies.

Terry Redman is a Ph.D. student in Systems Engineering at Oakland University.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University in December of 1997.  In 2005, he completed a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering at Oakland University.  His primary research interests include BioMEMS, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems with a growing interest in signal processing.

Terry spent most of his life on the west side of Michigan before moving to the Rochester area in 1998. He has worked for Compuware since 1999 and has been contracted to an automotive company since 2002.  His extra-curricular activities include golf, darts, fantasy football, and playing poker.  He also enjoys just hanging out at home with his wife.  They are expecting their first child in October!

Dhanasekaran Venugopal is a PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oakland University. His research interest are design of Hybrid (Microcontroller + FPGA) Systems, Real time embedded systems and their Optimization. He is motivated to take challenging problems and contribute to humanity through technological solutions.

He graduated with Masters Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering on December 2008. His master thesis was “Development of a Fit-Up Solver and Force Stepper Techniques for a Servo Controlled Resistance Spot Welding Gun”. The fit-up solver technique is new in its kind and has quick response time. These real time solutions help to produce consistent strong welds for Automotive manufacturer. Prior to his graduation, he was working as research assistant in the department and later as Intern at Continental Corporation.

He graduated with bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Madras, India on May, 2003. After that he worked as Lecturer and later as Design Engineer in India. He has considerable design, algorithm development and hardware testing experiences.

Lakshminarayanan Ramaswamy is pursuing his masters in Embedded Systems at Oakland University starting September 2010. He completed my bachelor's degree in May 2006 in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the College of Engineering, Anna University.

After completing his undergraduate degree, he joined the Embedded Devices Development Group (medical division) at HCL technologies where he gained considerable experience in working with Real Time Operating Systems and developing firmware, drivers and applications for embedded devices over the past four years. Lakshminarayanan's research interests are real-time operating systems and embedded systems design.
 
He enjoys yoga, playing sports including tennis and table tennis and he is learning classical guitar.

Robert Preston is currently studying Embedded Systems in the Master's program at Oakland University.  He completed his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Oakland University May 2010. In 2008 Rob was part of the SIBHI program researching protein folding using high level modeling programs.  His Primary research interests include MEMS, Nano-Technology, and embedded systems.

In his spare time Rob enjoys working on various side projects, playing golf, riding bikes, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends and family.

Bryant Jones started as an undergraduate student at Oakland University in 2006.  He completed his Bachelor of Science degree here at OU with a double major in both Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering in December 2010.  Bryant is now working towards his Master's Degree.  In 2009, he completed a six month internship at Chrysler LLC working with a Process Optimization team.  During his time at Chrysler LLC, he assisted in the implementation of Value Stream Mapping techniques to improve efficiency and lower costs in business and manufacturing environments.

After his undergrad, Bryant plans to continue on with a Master of Science in either Embedded Systems or Electrical and Computer Engineering.  He is currently working in the lab on novel techniques for controlling scan probes in a nano-imaging system.  With his spare time, Bryant likes watching movies, jogging, disc golf, and playing the drums.

 

 

Mark Bowers completed his Bachelor's degree with a double major in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oakland University. He started the Master's program at OU in the Fall 2011 and is currently studying Embedded Systems as a graduate student.  His interests are diverse, but include reconfigurable hardware, embedded systems, computer networks and security, high-performance and parallel computing, and wireless power transmission.

Mark also works part-time as an engineering intern at RHK Technology in Troy, MI. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies with his family, listening to classical music, and keeping busy with various side projects. He also maintains a personal website at MarkBowers.org

 

 

Mike Zaitchik is a Master's student at Oakland University studying Computer Science.  Mike recently completed his Bachelor's degree with a major in Computer Science and although he is interested in researching anything new and exciting, currently Mike is focused on programming language translation and image processing. In addition to his studies and working in the lab, Mike works part-time as a programmer for NextStep Solutions, Inc.

When his undergraduate degree is completed, Mike is considering applying to graduate school here at Oakland. His outside interests include playing soccer, video games, and watching movies. He prides himself on being an amateur singer and pancake chef.

 

Undergraduate Researchers
Michael Lohrer is an undergraduate student studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Oakland University. He is currently working with microcontrollers, wireless protocols, and telephone-data ICs in consumer products for the hearing impaired, as well as helping develop nano-imaging software for RHK's latest hardware. Mike is also an Eagle Scout, and works at Quarton elementary school teaching engineering concepts to third through fifth graders.


Mike also enjoys biking, running, skiing, robotic control systems, and computer building. He plans to pursue his masters in Computer Engineering or Embedded Systems after graduation. His favorite quotation: "You only need two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape."

Charles Otlowski is a current 2nd degree undergraduate student at Oakland University majoring in Computer Engineering. He first graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with an EMAC degree (Electronic Media Arts and Communications) in 2007. Currently, Charles works as an intern at Cenit North America and in the Nano-Imaging Software lab.

Every topic holds some attraction to him but of particular interest are subjects dealing with image processing, circuits, artificial intelligence, game development,  networking, 3d modeling/animation/lighting, photography, and database programming. Any of his (rare) spare time is spent reading, drawing, taking pictures, writing, web surfing, walking in Michigan’s metroparks, hanging out with his family, or doing some random task that comes to mind.

Eric Ulicny is a current undergraduate student at Oakland University double majoring in Computer Engineering and Computer Science. He currently works in the Information Technology Department at Marian High School and in the lab part time.  Eric is working on consumer products for those who are hearing impaired including microcontrollers, wireless technologies, and telephone-data ICs.

Eric enjoys spending his spare time with his Girlfriend and Friends, while enjoying Michigan’s short summer with plenty of biking and running. His side projects include web development, Linux server deployment, and various Arduino hardware projects.

 

Aarin Covyeau is an undergraduate student at Oakland University majoring in Computer Science. Aarin is expected to graduate in the Spring of 2013.  He joined the Lab in June 2011 and helps develop and maintain the nano-imaging software for RHK’s latest hardware.  Aarin is interested in researching anything cool and exciting that comes his way in the field of Computer Science and always enjoys learning about new topics.

Along with finishing his degree, Aarin is interested in writing programs, database programming and design, Android development, and fixing up computers. His other interests include playing the drums, watching movies, listening to music, hanging with family, reading books, the Internet, and just hanging out with friends.

 

Matthew Kowalczyk is from White Lake, Michigan and started the program in mechanical engineering at University of Denver.  He transferred to Oakland University in 2007 because of the high quality of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at OU.  Matt chose computer engineering because he likes programming and anything involving computers. Once he learned Java at OU, he started developing games for the Android on his own (Touch Drummer, Sean McNulty Skateboarding, Droid Disc Golf).  He plans to graduate after the Fall 2012 semester with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and is considering pursuing a graduate degree at Oakland University.

He has played ice hockey since he was 4; at the AAA level in Michigan as a teenager and at the college club level in Denver and at OU. Matt also enjoys golf, tennis, snowboarding, and video games.

Kate LaBelle is an undergraduate student majoring Computer Science and is expected to graduate in May of 2012. She plans to continue to study embedded systems through Oakland’s master’s program. Her current work in the lab involves improving nano-imaging software. Kate has previously participated in a summer research program in which she developed a self-organizing feature map that clustered various sound inputs. She also worked as a teaching assistant for Oakland University in animation and Java programming classes.

Kate is an active member of ACM and volunteers at orientation and conference events at Oakland. During the little spare time that she has, Kate enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.