I am working with Prof. Robert Kessler on component software systems and architectures in the Agent Research Group group. I am currently doing research on UML based tools for application and framework development. Before working at the university, I was at HP working on UML2.0. I am now working on using UML based metamodeling techniques for developing Semantic Web Agents and Services using UML tools. Right now, we are using XDE as our modeling tool of choice, and we are currently targeting the .Net platform. We are also working to provide Rational and Microsoft tools to all students in the CS program as well as including UML modeling into courses like CS3500.
Currently, I am creating a UML metamodel that describes Semantic Web Agents and Services. This metamodel is an extension of the UML2.0 metamodel. We hope to take this metamodel and create a modeling tool that generates the infrastructure and connections to easily create Semantic Web Agents. We hope to show that metamodeling approaches provide a powerful means of specifying software standards and domains like the Semantic Web, and that this approach allows for the development of MDA-compatible tools that enable rapid development of applications and services in the specified domain.
For one example of how UML and model-driven development can ease development, you can read my thesis in PDF format.
Other Research Interests
The following is a short list of other areas that I have interest in:
Really, my interests all lie around tools, technologies and process to help make programmers more productive. I believe that a combination of tools, process and proper training can greatly close the gap between the average programmers and the great programmer. While some may see Software Engineering as an anathema to the creative aspects of software development, I think SE practices boost creativity by bringing the structure and discipline common in most of the arts and engineering to software development.