Author: Avonelle Lindon | Major: Biological Engineering | Semester: Fall 2024
About Me:
My name is Avonelle and I am a junior studying Biological Engineering at the University of Arkansas. In my second semester of funding (Fall 2024), I worked under the direction of Dr. Koparan from Biological and Agricultural Engineering investigating precision agriculture with UAVs. My research investigated variation of coverage in weed-free soybean plots to enhance accuracy of UAV-based monitoring systems. This experience has furthered my appreciation of the unpredictability of biological systems and the unique challenges they pose in engineering solutions. I hope to work in renewable energy or sustainable urban development after college.
Research and Impact:
During this project, I investigated the way unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could help improve agriculture by measuring vegetation coverage and differentiating levels of weed pressure. This work has real-world applications in precision agriculture, allowing farmers to make targeted herbicide applications, reducing environmental harm and increasing crop yields. By understanding the challenges of UAV monitoring – such as variability in lighting or shadow angles – we aim to refine this technology for more reliable results.
How I Chose My Topic and Mentor:
I chose this topic because of my interest in utilizing innovative technology for sustainable solutions. As a student passionate about agriculture and sustainability, I precision agriculture as a way to broaden my technical knowledge and to address environmental challenges. I found my mentor, Dr. Koparan, by reaching out and scheduling meetings with several professors to learn more about the research going on in my department. I was also interested in learning more about programming and robotics, which made this project an ideal fit.
What I Learned:
During this research project, I deepened my understanding of challenges in precision agriculture. I had to navigate challenges like data variability and unexpected results, helping me learn to adapt. On a personal level, this experience taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability when working on a long-term project.
Challenges I Faced:
One of the main challenges was dealing with inconsistent data caused by environmental factors like lighting and camera positioning. This variability made it difficult to assess weed pressure and needs to be resolved before this technology will be viable for real-world applications. To address this, I experimented with different analytical methods, such as using both ImageJ and a custom subsystem to compare results. As a Biological Engineer, I realized that natural systems are more difficult to control and measure, so more advanced models will be needed to accurately assess weed pressure in agriculture.
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Koparan played a critical role in guiding my research, from refining the project scope to helping me troubleshoot technical issues. His mentorship encouraged me to think critically and approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset. He also guided me through conference presentations and helped me submit my research to the Discovery journal.
Travel and Conferences:
While I didn’t travel to an archive or national lab this semester, I had the opportunity to present my preliminary findings at the State Section Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
What’s Next for Me:
Building on this research, I plan to further explore how technology can advance sustainable development. My next steps include a summer internship that focus on renewable energy systems and sustainability. Additionally, I aim to present my research at the annual ASABE conference in Toronto and publish our findings in the Discovery journal to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in precision agriculture.