UHV Discovers series to showcase research on artificial intelligence

The University of Houston-Victoria's second UHV Discovers faculty research series will feature a presentation by a faculty member and a student on different applications for artificial intelligence in the fields of medicine, energy and weather prediction. Hardik Gohel, a UHV assistant professor of computer science, will showcase his research in a presentation titled, "Applied AI for Accessible Health Care and Energy Security Transition," followed by a presentation by Pavithra Sivashanmugam, a UHV computer science graduate student from India, who will present her research "AI in Rainfall Prediction." The presentations will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 in Room 111 of UHV University North, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The presentations also will be offered through Microsoft Teams. Gohel and his students use technology to turn massive amounts of data into useful information," said Joann Olson, UHV associate provost for research and dean of graduate studies. "By exploring the applications of artificial intelligence to challenges like weather forecasting and health care delivery, their high-level research helps solve real-world problems." During his presentation, Gohel plans to show how artificial intelligence can be used in the fields of health care and energy to accumulate, organize and analyze massive amounts of data. During the pandemic, health care began to shift toward a focus on telemedicine rather than in-person doctor's visits, Gohel said. In addition, people use devices such as Fitbits that collect constant data about an individual's physical condition. Another focus of Gohel's research looks at the need for renewable energy. As more and more research is being done into energy resources, artificial intelligence can organize and filter the data to see which resources are effective and where energy is needed. "Texas is a major hub for energy and health care in the nation," Gohel said. "The state needs to prepare for shifts in these areas and others, and artificial intelligence can help the state's systems do that.