Research

For the past several years, my research at the University of Georgia has concentrated on workflow management systems, genomics, and object-oriented data bases. New projects include the semantic Web and application protocol specification.

Semantic Web

This research involves the use of the semantics in correlating information. Further information is available on this project's web page.

Workflow Systems

Workflow Management Systems (WFMS) have been the main focus of my research beginning in late 1994. I have studied various aspects of modeling, designing, and implementing of (a) scalable workflow enactment systems, (b) enactment systems capable of running dynamic and adaptive workflows, and (c) security in workflow processes. I have received external funding for these research efforts from National Institute of Standards and Technology and Naval Research Laboratory. Right from the start of these research activities, I began designing and developing OrbWork, a workflow system which could be used as a vehicle for developing and testing various aspects of my research (OrbWork is a part of the Meteor Workflow Management System, on design and development of which I have been collaborating with Drs. Amit Sheth and John Miller). The OrbWork system has been used in implementing a variety of workflow applications in areas ranging from healthcare to multi-level security workflows in defense. After numerous improvements, OrbWork evolved from a research-only workflow system and has been offered commercially. The current version of OrbWork supports multi-level (multi-domain) security, incorporating state-of-the-art encryption standards. Further information is available on this project's web page.

Genomics

Software Systems for Genome Mapping

This area of my research has initially concentrated on efforts to create an information system for the genome mapping of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. A. nidulans is one of the research areas of Dr. Jonathan Arnold of the Genetics Department at the University of Georgia, my collaborator on the project. I have designed and implemented a software system called Fungal Genome DataBase (FGDB) capable of constructing and editing of physical maps. The first version of FGDB has been coded in C++ utilizing a commercial Object-Oriented Database System, ONTOS. The system, capable of generating various maps, editing genome data (for chromosomes, clones, probes, sequences, genes, etc.), and connecting to other genome and protein databases (for example, GENBANK), has been successfully used to create and fine-tune the physical maps of Aspergillus nidulans and Nectria Haematococca. It is currently being used for the construction of the physical maps of Neurospora crassa and Pneumocystis carinii. A new version of FGDB, written in Java and accessible via a standard Web browser is nearing completion. Physical maps edited with the developed software are available at http://gene.genetics.uga.edu.

Workflow Systems for Genome Sequencing

I have been researching application of workflow systems to a large sequencing effort of Neurospora crassa, where sequencing work is done at spatially distributed labs.

Application Protocol Specification

This research involves problems found in formal specification of application level protocols, their compilation into executable protocol handlers and deployment of the handlers in a distributed, network-centric computing environment.