A
Baldwin
Wallace
University
student
research
group
is
making
a
mark
in
the
mobile
privacy
arena,
notching
four
research
papers
accepted
for
presentation
at
conferences
around
the
world
over
the
past
year.
But the group's impact on the aspirations of BW students is the real star of this undergraduate experience.
The Mobile, Privacy, and Security Research Group (MOPS), part of BW's computer science department, digs into mobile applications, privacy and security.
Dr. Brian Krupp, who serves as faculty advisor to the student researchers, says MOPS looks into "security and privacy controls on mobile devices and security and privacy issues in embedding computing (IoT)." They also study and develop mobile applications like the University's EPA-funded Campus Plate project.
Sophomore
software
engineering
and
applied
mathematics
double
major
Julia
Gersey
'24
has
been
involved
in
MOPS
since
spring
and
says
the
experience
has
contributed
to
rapid
growth
in
the
skills
needed
to
be
an
iOS
developer.
"With both the Campus Plate project and my coursework, I believe it is thoroughly preparing me to build and maintain large-scale applications," said Gersey, who is also a Choose Ohio First STEM Scholar. The innovative scholarship program provides students with holistic support as they prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
"Beyond the technical side of things, I've learned more about the app development process, working within a development team and about undergraduate research as a whole."
"In addition to Campus Plate, our recent studies have been accepted for virtual presentation at international conferences based in London, Italy and Germany," Krupp says. "We've looked at how mobile device users perceive their own privacy, as well as the impact of apps that increase user awareness of how their information is being gathered and used without their knowledge."
The group's 2021 global research recognition includes:
Spring grad Dan Fitzgerald '21 says the MOPS helped propel him to both a job and grad school.
"I have a great job working as a software developer, and I'm working toward my masters in computer science at Case Western," Fitzgerald says. "MOPS was a rather rare opportunity to put an app on my resume. When it came to graduate school, the main thing I talked about in my letter was the Campus Plate app."
Adds Gersey, "I aim to pursue graduate school for artificial intelligence/machine learning upon graduating from BW. Working alongside a professor to conduct research is not only a tremendous honor but an amazing learning opportunity."
With more time at BW to build her research and development portfolio, Gersey is well on the way to fulfilling her career calling.