Frances Van Scoy, an associate professor of computer science and electrical engineering at West Virginia University, has been appointed the new director of the WVU Center for Vision Enhancement Technology (CeVET), a multidisciplinary research center focused on developing technological solutions to a wide range of vision-related problems.

We all encounter vision challenges from time to time,said Van Scoy,whether it is an older driver having difficulty with nighttime driving, a coal miner trying to find his way out of the mine after a fire or explosion, a soldier attempting to visualize his target in the dark, or a teenager with low vision studying for a math test. Our mission is to bring together the research expertise that is needed to develop innovative technologies that will address a wide range of vision-related challenges. This area of research is diverse and growing, with a wide range of civilian, military, and medical applications.

Founded in 2003, CeVET is a joint project of WVU and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

In addition to Van Scoy, WVU faculty leaders include J. Vernon Odom, WVU professor of ophthalmology and the Centers original director, now associate director; and James E. Smith, WVU professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, also associate director. Other WVU researchers in computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, landscape architecture, mechanical engineering, molecular pharmacology and ophthalmology are active in the centers interdisciplinary applied research efforts.

Research areas includeubiquitous computingsuch as wearable computers, wireless information systems, hands-free systems for information access; image acquisition and processingsuch as head-mounted displays, cameras and optical systems; and testing and evaluation of technologies and devices.

CeVET received a prestigious planning grant from the National Science Foundation and is seeking industry partners that will elevate the center to status as an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center.

Van Scoy earned masters and doctoral degrees in computer science from the University of Virginia, and has been a member of the WVU engineering faculty since 1979. She has held visiting positions at Gifu University in Japan, Carnegie Mellon University and West Virginia Northern Community College. She also has been the co-project director of West Virginia EPSCoR and the coordinator for advanced scientific computing initiatives in the West Virginia Governors Office of Technology.

CeVET also recently hired Karen Blaney as its new program coordinator. A 14 -year employee of WVU , she will coordinate member recruitment, program planning, marketing and publicity. For more information on CeVET, contact Blaney, 304-293-5263, ext. 4212.