Graduate Researchers

Rokeya Siddiqua

Rokeya Siddiqua is a PhD student in Computer Science at Morgan State University under the Advanced & Equitable Computing program. She is also a Graduate Research Assistant with Dr. Xiaowen Li in the Climate Science Division, where she contributes to the NASA DEAP project using satellite observations to study surface particulate pollutants around Baltimore. She completed her BSc in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on Artificial Intelligence at North South University, Dhaka. She previously worked as a Machine Learning Engineer at AinoviQ IT Limited and as a Lab Instructor at North South University. Her research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and their applications in education, mental health, healthcare, and climate science.

Temidayo Michael Fapohunda

Temidayo Fapohunda had his background in Education, Geography and Planning with special in interest in environmental studies, pollution and human health. He is a Graduate Research Assistant in the GESTAR division and at present, in the final stage of his PhD in Bio-environmental Science under the supervision of Dr Richard Damoah, where he is developing a model to determine, analyse and map the relationship between pollution and respiratory disease in developing country. His publications include solving environmental deterioration issues, application of Cartography/GIS to analyze and map environmental /climate issues and human health.

Daniel Okon

Daniel Okon is currently a PhD student in the Department of Electrical and computer Engineering. He works as a graduate research assistant with Dr Xiaowen Li, Director of Climate Science Division, School of Computer, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University.  His work involves using artificial Intelligence and machine learning to retrieve surface particulate pollutants in and around Baltimore using satellite observations for the NASA DEAP.

Oluwapemiisin Akingbola

Oluwapemiisin Akingbola is a Master's student in the Eletrical Engineering program at Morgan State. She is currently working with Dr. Damoah on Air Quality Data 

Faisal Mahmud Sakib

Faisal Mahmud Sakib is a PhD student in the Climate Science Division under the Bioenvironmental Science program at Morgan State University. He is currently working with Dr. Xiaowen Li on Meteorology. Faisal did his Bachelor of Sciene in Environmental Science and Disaster Managemant from Patuakhali Science and Technology Universty. Afterward   he completed his Masters of Science in Water Resources Development from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. He worked with several renowned organization in Bangladesh and International arena. He worked as Research Consultant at the Center For Environmental and Geographic Information Serveces Under Ministry of Water Resources of Bangladesh. After that he joined Forewarn, Start Network Bangladesh as Assistant Risk Monitoring Officer. Lastly he worked as Research Associate at Institute of Water and Flood Management funded by USAID with Colaboaration with Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Tufts University, USA. His Research Interests are Hydrometeorology, Climate Science, GIS and Remote Sensing and Disaster Mangement.

Undergraduate Researchers

Sirray Smith

Zimiego Smith

Zimiego Smith is a senior Electrical and Computer Engineering student at Morgan State University. He has contributed to the MSU Rocketry Club, assisting in the development of a liquid fueled rocket. Actively involved in organizations such as NSBE, ASME, and the Climate Science Department, he is dedicated to both technical excellence and community engagement. His passion for mentorship is reflected in his work with STEM camps and as a DCCAP college representative, guiding students toward academic and professional success. With interests in discrete systems, communications, and data analysis, he aspires to leverage his technical expertise to build a business that empowers individuals pursuing STEM careers.

Aniyah Perry-El Martin

Hello! My name is Aniyah Perry-El Martin and I'm a sophomore sociology major from Baltimore City. My main role in BSEC's project is to provide a sociological perspective on the climate research that is being conducted. I am a research assistant working with Dr.Shamara Collins and Khalia Young and I hope to gain experience in project management along with a better understanding of the process of data collection and analysis.

Jason Sampson

My name is Jason Sampson and I am a freshman at Morgan State University majoring in Electrical Engineering with a focus in Cybersecurity. My main goal to acquire as much knowledge as possible and offer help to those in need. Working with BSEC and the Climate Science Division has been a wonderful experience. I’ve had the opportunity to learn and investigate the depths of climate science. I plan to advance in a career of electrical engineering and BSEC has helped me grow tremendously towards that goal.

Jeremiah Green

I am Jeremiah Green, a Sophmore Civil Engineering major and a member of the Clara I. Adams Honors College as well as the Morgan MILE. 

Morgan Dyer

My name is Morgan Dyer. I am a freshman majoring in Mechatronics Engineering. I am working on the BSEC projects as a student research assistant with Dr. Shamara Collins. These projects are used for climate science research in the Baltimore area. I hope to gain experience with engineering in this field and how I can use my knowledge to better the projects. 

Oluwatobi Olajide

I'm an undergraduate computer science student working with Dr. Damoah on research involving air quality data and pollution monitoring. I hope to bridge environmental science and technology, using this opportunity to strengthen my technical skills, gain deeper insight into environmental challenges, and contribute to research that supports healthier, more sustainable communities.  

Alumni

Abiola Ajala

Chaz Padilla

Graduated Electrical Engineering student from Baltimore, Maryland. He assembled 12 weather stations across Baltimore City that collected data about wind, temperature, humidity, rain, and solar radiation. Analyzed and collected data from the algorithm with the purpose of expanding our dataset for utilization in machine learning application.

Bocar Jallow Jr.

Graduated Computer Science student from Madison, Wisconsin. He worked on the 3D Cloud Visualization using Virtual Reality with Unity VR and Unreal Engine 5 VR. He is also the Event coordinator for SMOOTH Inc. and Mister ActiveMinds while at Morgan State.

Mykell Jones

Md. Rafsan Jani

I am working as a Graduate Research Assistant in the GESTAR division under the supervision of Dr. Xiaowen Li in collaboration with Dr. Md Mahmudur Rahaman’s Computer Vision Lab since Fall 2022. My research involves 3D Convective Cloud Updraft Cell Dataset Preparation and Developing a deep learning model to segment the instances of 3D convective cloud updraft cells.

Abubakar Isa

Abubakar Isa is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student with a background in nursing, health education, and Public Health. He is deeply passionate about researching climate change and its impact on the environment and public health. He is committed to making meaningful contributions to the field. Currently, he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant, working with Dr. Richard Damoah on the Africa Rain and Rift Valley Fever (RVF) project. In this role, he focuses on collecting African rainfall data from various locations in South Africa to inform data-driven decisions regarding RVF.