CWU Professor Develops New Data Analysis Technology for U.S. Government

People live in a three-dimensional world, but the data that pertains to us nowadays often extends beyond three dimensions. In fact, it's usually invisible to the naked eye. These changes are due, in large part, to research being conducted at Central Washington University.

Over the past year, CWU computer science Professor Boris Kovalerchuk has been doing additional work on the second phase of "MAVERICK: Mixed-Automation Visualizer for Emerging Relationships and Insights in Complex Knowledge." The research is being conducted in conjunction with Aptima and funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency.

The goal is to develop ways to analyze, manipulate, and present large, multi-dimensional data sets to aid in information analysis and solution testing.

"We don't have the ability to use our visual skills to evaluate that kind of data," Kovalerchuk explained. "What I'm doing is developing the technology - called 'visual knowledge discovery' - that will allow us to see multi-dimensional data in conjunction with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) methods."

Aptima, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, advances ways to coordinate work involving people, technology, and AI. The company first learned of Kovalerchuk's expertise at an international conference, where he made a presentation/tutorial based on his 2018 book, "Visual Knowledge Discovery and Machine Learning."

"One of its scientists attended my tutorial," Kovalerchuk said. "He suggested that we work together. It is actually started under STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) program."

The highly competitive STTR offers federal funding for government-related research and development initiatives. It requires collaboration between small businesses and higher education institutions, to bridge the gap between basic scientific research and the commercialization of corresponding innovations.

Kovalerchuk already has demonstrated a proof-of-concept of the technology he developed. The current second phase of the work is a two-year project to deliver an initial working prototype that can be used on an experimental basis. The final phase would be deployment of full operational capability.

The work could have ramifications far beyond the government, including medical research and treatments, Kovalerchuk added.

Media contact: David Leder, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, david.leder@cwu.edu.