College of Engineering Dean Shares Expertise in Southeast Asia; Ham Continues Mental Prosthesis Research in Thailand

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology’s Fredric M. Ham is strengthening international connections for the university. The dean of the College of Engineering and Harris Professor of Electrical Engineering spent a month this summer presenting lectures to students and collaborating with faculty at King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand. Florida Tech maintains an exchange agreement with the university.

Ham led student seminars concerning statistical modeling and linear algebra concepts. His lectures on statistical calibration modeling featured examples from his work in biomedical engineering, including non-invasive glucose monitoring for diabetics. His expertise includes neural networks, and his “mental prosthesis” research collaboration anticipates dealing with people with disabilities being able to perform physical commands based on thought. “I’m very impressed with the students and faculty there,” said Ham, a faculty veteran of Florida Tech. “KMUTT is a technological leader, especially in that region of the world.”

Ham holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Iowa State University. He plans to return to Thailand in November to continue his research collaborations.

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Sharing Ideas—Fred Ham (center), dean of the Florida Institute of Technology College of Engineering and Harris Professor of Electrical Engineering, spent a month this summer presenting lectures to students and collaborating with faculty at King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand.