PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 31, 2023) — Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) graduate student Oyomire Akenzua is focused on tackling one of the most defining issues of our time – climate change.
While pursuing his master’s degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS), Oyomire also participates in PVAMU’s Faculty Research & Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE)-Graduate Research program – an initiative developed by the university’s Division of Research & Innovation that enables faculty researchers to expand and sustain their vital research through external grants and contracts while helping to shape graduate students into the next generation of experts.
Faculty RISE Graduate student, Oyomire Akenzua
Under the mentorship of Ram Ray, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at PVAMU, Oyomire’s research explores “An Integrated Approach to Quantify Carbon Sequestration Potentials Using Satellite Data and Model for Different Ecosystems.” (Carbon sequestration is a process that involves capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide – the greenhouse gas that’s currently the largest contributor to climate change.)
Oyomire’s role in the project is to help collect remote sensing, climatic, hydrologic, and land characteristics (e.g., soil, land use, and DEM), and he’s also working on collecting in situ soil CO2 measurements and simulating the DayCent Carbon model to measure carbon sequestration at four ecosystems – cropland, pastureland, hayland, and horticultural land. The research involves using publicly available remote sensing data, in situ measurements, and a carbon model at PVAMU Research Farm under the South Texas environment.
Oyomire’s undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, his experience working at PVAMU’s Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, and his expertise in information technology have made him an invaluable addition to Dr. Ray’s research group. “Within a very short period, he became a group leader among his colleagues in my research team,” said Dr. Ray. “I can rely on him to complete so many field activities.”
“Working under the mentorship of Professor Ram Ray while helping to advance his research has been enlightening and a wonderful experience,” Oyomire said. The knowledge and skills acquired through the program will also support Oyomire’s post-graduate plans.
“I am preparing for an internship this summer and am greatly interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software engineering data analysis. I have learned a lot regarding data collection.” Oyomire’s plan is to develop himself more “in areas related to artificial intelligence and how we can use it positively in regard to climate change.”
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By Leigh Badrigian