Who is Chris Middlebrook?

Chris Middlebrook is a prominent figure in the world of technology and education. He is currently serving as the Director of the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) and is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech).

Education and Early Career

Middlebrook received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1993. He then went on to earn his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1995 and 1999, respectively.

After completing his education, Middlebrook began his career as a research scientist at the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM), which later became part of the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI). During his time at ERIM and MTRI, he worked on various research projects related to remote sensing, signal processing, and machine learning.

Research Interests and Expertise

Middlebrook’s research interests lie in the areas of remote sensing, image processing, and machine learning. He has extensive experience in developing algorithms and software for analyzing and interpreting data from various remote sensing platforms, including satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Some of his notable research projects include:

• Developing algorithms for detecting and classifying invasive species using hyperspectral imagery
• Creating software tools for analyzing and visualizing large-scale remote sensing datasets
• Investigating the use of machine learning techniques for improving the accuracy of land cover classification

Middlebrook has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers related to his research. He has also been involved in several funded research projects, with grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).

Leadership and Service

In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Middlebrook has taken on various leadership roles at Michigan Tech and beyond. Some of his notable positions include:

• Director of the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) since 2018
• Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2015 to 2018
• Member of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) AdCom from 2016 to 2018

Middlebrook is also actively involved in service to the remote sensing community. He has served as a reviewer for numerous journals and conferences, and has been a member of the organizing committee for several international conferences, including the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS).

Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)

The Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) is a research center within Michigan Technological University that focuses on developing and applying advanced technology solutions to real-world problems. MTRI was established in 2006 and has since grown to become a leader in remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and geospatial analysis.

Research Areas and Projects

MTRI conducts research in a wide range of areas, including:

• Remote sensing and image processing
• Environmental monitoring and assessment
• Geospatial analysis and modeling
• Transportation and infrastructure management
• Homeland security and defense applications

Some of the notable research projects undertaken by MTRI include:

Project	Description
Great Lakes Environmental Monitoring	Using remote sensing and geospatial analysis to monitor water quality, invasive species, and coastal erosion in the Great Lakes region
Wildfire Risk Assessment	Developing tools and algorithms for assessing and predicting wildfire risk using remote sensing and machine learning techniques
Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring	Using remote sensing and geospatial analysis to monitor and assess the condition of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and bridges

Facilities and Resources

MTRI is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support its research activities. These include:

• High-performance computing cluster for processing and analyzing large datasets
• Extensive library of remote sensing imagery and geospatial data
• Advanced software tools for image processing, geospatial analysis, and machine learning
• UAVs and other remote sensing platforms for data collection and field validation

MTRI also maintains strong partnerships with various government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions, which provide additional resources and opportunities for collaborative research.

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan. Founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, Michigan Tech has grown to become a leading university in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research.

Academic Programs

Michigan Tech offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in STEM fields, including:

• Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, etc.)
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, etc.)
• Technology (Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, etc.)
• Business and Economics
• Forestry and Environmental Science

The university is known for its strong emphasis on hands-on learning and research opportunities for students at all levels.

Research and Innovation

Michigan Tech is a research-intensive university, with a strong focus on applied research and innovation. The university’s research activities span a wide range of areas, including:

• Advanced materials and manufacturing
• Autonomous and intelligent systems
• Biomedical engineering and health sciences
• Earth and environmental sciences
• Energy and sustainability
• Transportation and infrastructure

Michigan Tech has numerous research centers and institutes, such as the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI), the Keweenaw Research Center (KRC), and the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), which facilitate interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Campus and Community

Michigan Tech’s campus is located in Houghton, Michigan, on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The campus is situated on 925 acres of land, which includes academic buildings, research facilities, residential halls, and recreational areas.

The university has a strong sense of community, with numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities that cater to a wide range of interests. Michigan Tech is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings, with easy access to outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, and kayaking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Chris Middlebrook’s role at Michigan Tech?

2. Chris Middlebrook serves as the Director of the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Tech.

3. What are some of Chris Middlebrook’s research interests?

4. Middlebrook’s research interests include remote sensing, image processing, and machine learning. He has worked on projects related to invasive species detection, land cover classification, and remote sensing data analysis and visualization.

5. What is the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)?

6. MTRI is a research center within Michigan Tech that focuses on developing and applying advanced technology solutions to real-world problems, particularly in the areas of remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and geospatial analysis.

7. What academic programs does Michigan Tech offer?

8. Michigan Tech offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in STEM fields, including engineering, sciences, technology, business, and environmental science.

9. What is Michigan Tech known for?

10. Michigan Tech is known for its strong emphasis on hands-on learning and research opportunities for students, its research-intensive focus with numerous research centers and institutes, and its beautiful natural surroundings on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.