Research Interests

 

Dr. Michela Bertolotto is currently studying the challenges related to the progressive transmission of vector data over the World-Wide Web. Progressive transmission of raster images over the World-Wide Web has been successfully applied to provide the user with coarser versions of the data before downloading a complete image. This process is particularly useful when trying to access remote data through a slow communication link or in the case of wireless communication, and when datasets are very large. So far, implementations have focused on progressive transmission of raster data through the Web. The transmission of vector data is generally done by means of a one-step long process. Within this framework, Dr. Bertolotto is analysing issues related to the progressive transmission of vector maps in the context of spatial databases.

She has been working on the development of relation-based models for the qualitative representation of spatial configurations in collaboration with Prof. Max Egenhofer. Relation-based models focus on the representation of the spatial rel  ations among objects, rather than on the geometry of individual objects. They enable fast spatial inferences and link closely to generating verbal instructions and verbal descriptions of spatial configurations. Although most current geographic information systems are based on quantitaive models, the linkage to and integration with relation-based models is a pressing need within multi-media information systems and multi-modal interactions through voice and sketch. Dr. Bertolotto has investigated the comparison between cell-complex-based representations and relation-based representations.
More recently she has been investigating techniques for knowledge management of geo-spatial data. Geo-spatial information systems are used both as primary analysis tools, such as for intelligence information, and as value-added components, such as for route mapping.  Moreover, as these systems are used to address specific tasks, the expert interactions, analyses, and conclusions based on the relevant image information represent a substantial organizational knowledge asset.  Knowledge management systems are important to address the problem of organizational knowledge-loss (e.g., when experts move on) by capturing and applying knowledge from previous experiences to new task contexts.  This research is developing a layered approach to managing geo-spatial imagery and associated task-specific knowledge, using a novel synthesis of techniques for image information retrieval, geo-spatial databases, and knowledge management.  The work provides support for natural user interaction, efficient geo-spatial database indexing and retrieval, and intelligent capture and re-use of task-based knowledge.
Dr. Bertolotto's previous research work includes applications of computational geometry and algebraic topology concepts to Geographic Information Systems and solid modeling. In particular, in her Ph.D. thesis, she studied and developed techniques for building and manipulating multiresolution models for vector maps based on abstract cell complexes. During her PhD, she has been involved in the European Spacenet project, within which she contributed to the analysis of the use of topology and shape for qualitative spatial reasoning.   

Funded research projects:

ˇ         2004 EI Proof of Concept: Mobile Diagnosis for Improved Care (1 year)

ˇ         2004 UCD Research Demonstrator Grant (Eoin McAoidh): Mobile GIS (3 years)

ˇ         2004 EI Innovation Partnership: Mobile Environmental Management System (2 years, in collaboration with DIT and e-Spatial Ltd.)

ˇ         2004 EU Culture 2000 Project: Towards Archaeological Heritage New Accessibility (3 years; Coordinator: University of Milano)

ˇ         2003 IRCSET Grant (Teresa Monhan): Virtual UCD (3 years)

ˇ         2003 UCD Research Demonstrator Grant (Gavin McArdle): Augmented Reality Websites (3 years)

ˇ         2002 EI Advanced Technology Research Programme: Combining Mobile Personalised Applications with Spatial Services (3 years)

ˇ         2002 EI International Collaboration with University of Pisa: Spatio-temporal databases.

ˇ         2001 EI Research Innovation Fund: Knowledge Management for Geo-Spatial Imagery. (2 years)

ˇ         2001 UCD Research Demonstrator Grant (Qiang Han): Multiple representations for efficient spatial data transmission (3 years)

ˇ         2001 EI International Collaboration with NCGIA, Univ. Maine: Interoperable GIS

ˇ         2001 UCD President's Research Award

 

 

Current Postgraduate Students:

ˇ         Aggelis Koinis (MSc)

ˇ         Daniel Lynch (PhD) - co-supervised by Dr. David Wilson (UNCC)

ˇ         Eoin McAoidh (PhD)

ˇ         Gavin McArdle (PhD)

ˇ         Eoin McLoughlin (PhD)

ˇ         Teresa Monahan (PhD)

ˇ         Maghnus O'Kane (PhD) - co-supervised by Dr. Joe Carthy

ˇ         Han Qiang (PhD)

ˇ         Andrea Rizzini (MSc)

 

MSc/PhD students graduated:

ˇ         Patricia Harnett (MSc; April 2004)

ˇ         Anna Hayes (MSc; 2005) co-supervised by Dr. David Wilson (UNCC)

ˇ         Elena Camossi (PhD; March 2005) in co-supervision with University of Milano and University of Genova; currently Postodoctoral Research Associate at the Italian National Research Council (Genova)

ˇ         Helen Min Zhou (PhD; April 2006) currently Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

ˇ         Dympna O'Sullivan (PhD; December 2006) - co-supervised by Dr. David Wilson (UNCC); currently Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

ˇ         Julie Doyle (PhD, April 2007); currently Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

ˇ         Joe Weakliam (PhD, April 2007) - co-supervised by Dr. David Wilson (UNCC).

 

Member of PhD/MSc thesis committee for:

ˇ         Michael O'Grady (PhD, Internal Examiner, UCD, April 2004)

ˇ         Andrea Nucita (PhD, External Examiner, University of Milano, Italy, March 2005)

ˇ         Raquel Viana (PhD, External Examiner, Universidad de Alcalá (Madrid), Spain, February 2005)

ˇ         Claire Blackett (PhD, Internal Examiner, UCD, December 2005)

ˇ         John Kilbride (MSc, Internal Examiner, UCD, April 2006)

ˇ         Agnes Brilingaite (PhD, External Examiner, University of Aalborg, Denmark, August 2006)

 

Past 4th year Undergraduate Students:

2004-2005: Nick Bernon (BSc); Leonard Carolan (BSc); Cathal McKenna (BSc); Mark Sheridan (BSc).

2003-2004:  Gerald Coyle (BSc); Eoin Mc Aoidh (BA); Paula O'Donoghue (BA); Edmond Veale (BSc)

2002-2003:  Simon Atkins (BSc); Niall Fee (BA); Claire Fitzgerald (BSc); John Kilbride (BSc); Teresa Monahan (BSc)

2001-2002: Ailish Brophy (BSc); Alan Martin (BSc); Dympna O'Sullivan (BSc); Chris Quinn (BSc)