Friday, May 13th, was the first Faculty Research Exchange (FRX) between Zhejiang University/ University of Illinois Institute (ZJUI) and Zhejiang University/ University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE). Although there have been research communications before, it’s the first time the faculty from both sides organized a research collaboration exchange activity. The goal of this exchange was to find cross-institute collaborations between engineering and biomedicine.

18 faculty from both institutes presented. Executive Dean Philip Krein of ZJUI and Executive Dean Sue Welburn of ZJE were both in attendance and presented. The Vice Dean of International Campus KC Ting also presented his research. The seminar last for 3 hours, with each speaker presenting a short bio, current research and possible cross institute collaborations. 

There were some research connections made between the faculty. Dr. David Arnot of ZJE and Dr. Mark Butala of ZJUI discussed a potential joint endeavor to use signal and image processing methods to remotely sense and track mosquitoes. Dr. Arnot also discussed a potential collaboration with Dr. Yang Xu of ZJUI on the possibility of sensing mosquitoes using infa-red lasers. Dr. Tinggang Chew of ZJE and Dr. Butala examined the idea of sharing students to complete a project on image processing of cell activity.

This was the first of many such research exchanges to create opportunities for the two institutes to work together.