Tao Hu, Ph.D., joins the School of Library and Information Science as its post-graduate research fellow. A native of China, Hu received both his master’s and Ph.D. from Wuhan University, where he focused his research on machine learning and pattern recognition, image processing, and 3D reconstruction.
While at Wuhan, Hu studied spatial analysis, programming skills in Java and scripting languages, graph visualization, NoSQL database, and data extraction/crawling.
“These skills will help the project to process the data, analyze the data and visualize the data,” Hu said.
Hu has published in a number of journals including the International Journal of Geographic Information Science and Mathematical Problems in Engineering. He has delivered presentations at conferences in both China and the United States.
At Kent State
Hu said a number of factors brought him to Kent State.
“I always hoped to prove my capability and learning knowledge in a different country. You know, it's really hard to find a post-doc position out of China,” he said.
Hu cited advisors for providing funding support and assuring that the right people will assist him with his research.
“Fortunately, there was a position at Kent State University, and it matched my background. So, I came here to work till the end of next year,” added Hu.
At Kent State, Hu will be working alongside SLIS professors Marcia Lei Zeng, Ph.D., and Yin Zhang, Ph.D., principal and co-principal investigators on a research project that received funding for a two-year post-doctoral position through the Kent State Internal Post-Doctoral Competition in spring 2015. Additional co-PIs include Assistant Professor Xinyue Ye, Ph.D., Department of Geography; Professor Hongshan Li, Ph.D., Department of History; and Professor Deng-ke Yang, Ph.D., Liquid Crystal Institute.
Hu said it’s an honor to work with Professors Zeng and Zhang, both of whom are also graduates of Wuhan University.
“Drs. Zeng and Zhang are both great teachers in SLIS. They're experts in information science and they have a lot of experience in researching. So, it's really my honor to work with them,” Hu said.
Research Focus
Hu’s research will primarily be focused on the innovation history of the Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) at Kent State University, one of the most prominent innovation centers in the United States over the past five decades. His research involves developing and demonstrating a network framework of innovation history by using LCI-related big smart data.
“Another larger goal is to replicate such a network framework and apply the methodology and technology to other innovations,” Hu said.
Additionally, Hu will complete a number of other goals while at Kent State, after completing his initial research. He will apply for a grant related to the project with the help of Drs. Zeng and Zhang. He also will write papers integrating the work he has completed here and the knowledge in the GIS (geographic information system) field.