Research & Publications

View my Curriculum Vitae here.

View my thesis here.


Current Research Interests

  • Interdisciplinary Research: Computer Science/Biology/Environmental Science/Botany
  • Computer Science Education
  • AI/Data Science: Cyberbullying

Grants

  • NEIU C.O.R. Grant, Aug. 2019-May 2020: Automatic Detection and Classification of Cyberbullying in Social Media
  • National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) grant, 2015-2019
  • NEIU SCSE Undergraduate Summer Research and Professional Training Program, Summer 2019: Cyberbullying Detection in Social Media Image Memes
  • NEIU SCSE Undergraduate Summer Research and Professional Training Program, Summer 2018: Development of a cross-platform application for visualization and back-calculations of volcanic SO2 emissions
  • NEIU SCSE Undergraduate Summer Research and Professional Training Program, Summer 2017: Population Dynamics of Leedy’s roseroot: A combined field study and mathematical modeling approach

Publications

  • Trana R.E., Gomez C.E., Adler R.F. (2020) Fighting Cyberbullying: An Analysis of Algorithms Used to Detect Harassing Text Found on YouTube. In: Ahram T. (eds) Advances in Artificial Intelligence, Software and Systems Engineering. AHFE 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1213. Springer, Cham.

  • D.A. Nicholson, R.E. Trana, Y. Katz, W.L. Kath, N. Spruston, Y. Geinisman, "Distance-dependent differences in synapse number and AMPA receptor expression in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons." Neuron 50: 431- 442, 2006.

Colloquia

    • Scroll to view conference presentations...
    • Detecting Cyberbullying: Two-Step Classification of Topic-Based YouTube Comments, Christopher Gomez, Rachel Trana, and Rachel Adler. 2020 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference (Virtual), October 19 - October 23, 2020.

    • An Algorithmic Approach to Improving and Reannotating a Cyberbullying YouTube Dataset. Luis Rosales, Akshit Gupta, Rachel Trana and Marcelo O. Sztainberg. 2020 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference (Virtual), October 19 - October 23, 2020.

    • Development of a Relevant and Self-Updating Slang Corpus. Joanna Vaklin, Ishita Verma, Marcelo Sztainberg, and Rachel Trana. 2020 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference (Virtual), October 19 - October 23, 2020.

    • Development of an Interactive Framework for Identifying, Visualizing and Tracking Cyberbullying in Image Memes. Amanda Bowers, Sebin Puthenthara-Suresh, Christopher Gomez, Rachel Trana, and Marcelo Sztainberg. 2020 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference (Virtual), October 19 - October 23, 2020.

    • Designing an Interactive Web Application for Detecting Cyberbullying in Images and Text, Amanda Bowers, Sebin Puthenthara Suresh, Chris E. Gomez, Marcelo O. Sztainberg, Rachel E. Trana. 12th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL October 16, 2020.

    • Examining the Effects of Strong vs Weak Data on Relabeling a Cyberbullying YouTube Dataset, Akshit Gupta, Luis Rosales, Chris Gomez, Marcelo O. Sztainberg, Rachel E. Trana. 12th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL October 16, 2020.

    • A Machine Learning Algorithmic Approach to Identifying Mislabeled Data in a Cyberbullying YouTube Dataset, Luis Rosales, Akshit Gupta, Chris Gomez, Rachel E. Trana, Marcelo O. Sztainberg. 12th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL October 16, 2020.

    • Hybridization of Topic Modeling and Supervised Learning Algorithms for Cyberbullying Identification, Sebin Puthenthara Suresh, Christopher E. Gomez, Marcelo O. Sztainberg, Rachel E. Trana. 12th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL October 16, 2020.

    • Lexical and Machine Learning Approaches for Slang Sentiment Classification, Joanna B. Vaklin, Ishita Verma, Marcelo O. Sztainberg, Rachel E. Trana. 12th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL October 16, 2020.

    • Text Extraction from Images to Detect Cyberbullying, Latha Saradha, Sara DeZetter, Salah Latif, Rachel Adler and Rachel Trana. 2019 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference, Honolulu, HI, October 30 - November 3, 2019.

    • Cyberbullying Classification: Semantic Analysis of Text in Shared Image Memes, Jorge Garcia, Obsmara Ulloa, Mirna Salem, Christopher Gomez, Rachel F. Adler, Francisco Iacobelli and Rachel Trana. 2019 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference, Honolulu, HI, October 30 - November 3, 2019.

    • Creating a Large Cyberbullying Dataset from Multiple Sources to Improve the Accuracy of Cyberbullying Classifications, Obsmara Ulloa, Jorge Garcia, Mirna Salem, Christopher Gomez, Rachel F. Adler, Francisco Iacobelli and Rachel Trana. 2019 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference, Honolulu, HI, October 30 - November 3, 2019.

    • Cyberbullying Classification: Analysis of Text in Social Media Memes. Jorge A. Garcia, Obsmara Ulloa, Mirna Salem, Christopher Gomez, Rachel F. Adler, Francisco Iacobelli, and Rachel Trana. 11th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL September 27, 2019.

    • Development of an Open-Source Application to Visualize and Backcalculate Volcanic Sulfur Dioxide Emissions. Andrea Valenzuela, Daniela Arriaga, Tamanna Sultana, Elisabet Head, Rachel Trana. 2018 SACNAS The National Diversity in STEM Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 11 - 13, 2018.

    • Visualizing and Analyzing Volcanic Sulfur Dioxide Emissions. Daniela Arriaga, Tamanna Sultana, Andrea Valenzuela, Purushotham Valathur, Elisabet Head, Rachel Trana. 10th Annual SCSE Student Research Symposium, Chicago, IL September 21, 2018.

    • Experiential Research in Introductory STEM Courses: The PEERS project at Northeastern Illinois University. Paulo Ascioli, Elisabet Head, Joseph Hibdon Jr., Ken Nicholson, Sudha Srinivas, Rachel Trana. Gordon Research Conference, Physics Research and Education, Rhode Island. June 10-15, 2018.

    • The PEERS project: Engaging Undergraduate Computer Science Students through Research Modules. Rhys Gunther, Akkady Tchaba, Rachel Trana. NEIU Annual Student Research and Creative Activities Symposium, Chicago, IL April 20 2018.

    • Incorporating Student Research into the Introductory STEM Curriculum. Elisabet Head, Joseph Hibdon Jr., Rachel Trana, Ken Nicholson, Paulo H. Acioli, Scott Mayle, and Sudha Srinivas. Chicago Symposium 2018, NEIU and North Park University, April 13 2018.

    • Population Dynamics and Viability Analyses of the rare and endangered plant Leedy's Roseroot (Rhodiola Integrifolia ssp. Leedyi), Rachel Trana, Computer Science; Joel Olfelt, Biology. NEIU 8th Annual Faculty Research & Creative Activities Symposium, Chicago, IL. November 17, 2017.

    • Peer Enhanced Experiential Research, Ken Nicholson,Chemistry; Paulo Acioli, Physics; Sudha Srinivas, Physics; Elisabet Head, Earth Science; Joseph Hibdon, Mathematics; Lidia Filus, Mathematics, Marcelo Sztainberg, Computer Science, Rachel Trana, Computer Science. NEIU 8th Annual Faculty Research & Creative Activities Symposium, Chicago, IL. November 17, 2017.

    • Introducing Experiential Research in the STEM Classroom: A Tiered Community of Learners and Peer-Leaders. Paulo H. Acioli, Elisabet Head, Joseph Hibdon Jr., Rachel Trana, Ken Nicholson, Sudha Srinivas. AACU Transforming STEM Education, San Francisco, Nov. 2-4 2017

    • A Demographic Study of Minnesota's Leedy's Roseroot (Rhodiola Integrifolia ssp. Leedyi) Populations Using Logistic Regression Analysis and Projection Matrices, Haiyang Zhu1, Sergio Batres1, Stefany Roman1, Joel Olfelt Ph.D.1, Rachel Trana Ph.D. Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois 9th Annual Student Center for Science Engagement Research Symposium, September 22, 2017.

    • Implementing peer-led research activities in Computer Science: The Peer Enhanced Experiential Research in STEM (PEERS) project at Northeastern Illinois University. Rachel Trana, Sudha Srinivas, Paulo Acioli, Elisabet Head, Joseph Hibdon, Ken Nicholson. 2017 Summer SENCER Institute, Stony Brook, NY. August 3-7, 2017.

    • Using Peer Leaders to Support Research Modules in Introductory STEM Courses. J. Hibdon, R. Trana, E. Head, P. Acioli, K. Nicholson, and S. Srinivas. Integrating Research and Practice: PLTL in Action Conference at NEIU, Chicago, IL., June 1-3, 2017. Online.

    • Embedding Research in Undergraduate STEM Curricula: The NEIU PEERS Project. Paulo H. Acioli, Sudha Srinivas, Elisabet Head, Ken Nicholson, Rachel Trana, Joseph Hibdon Jr. AAPT Winter Meeting, Atlanta, GA., Feb. 18-21, 2017. Online.

    • The Peer Enhanced Experiential Research in STEM (PEERS) Project at NEIU. Ken Nicholson, Paulo Acioli, Elisabet Head, Joseph Hibdon, Sudha Srinivas, and Rachel Trana. 2016 SENCER Summer Institute, Chicago, IL., July 28 - August 1, 2016. Online.

    • The Peer Enhanced Experiential Research in STEM (PEERS) project at Northeastern Illinois University: Mathematics Component. J. Hibdon, S Srinivas, P. Acioli, K. Nicholson, E. Head, R. Trana, M. Sztainberg, and L. Filus. Joint Mathematics Meetings, Seattle, WA., January 2016. Online.

    • The Peer Enhanced Experiential Research in STEM (PEERS) Project at Northeastern Illinois University. S. Srinivas, P. Acioli, K. Nicholson, E. Head, R. Trana, M. Sztainberg and L. Filus. The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) meeting, November 2015, Transforming STEM Education, Seattle, WA. Online

    • Innovation in Microsatellite Cataloguing: Finding Markers in Midwestern Cattails (Typha Species). R. Strauss, C. Moran, P. Geddes, J. Olfelt, R. Trana, F. Iacobelli. Twenty-Third Annual Student Research and Creative Activities Symposium, April 2015, Student Center for Science Engagement, Northeastern Illinois University. Online (http://bit.ly/1NqEHnw).

    • Dendritic excitability imposes limits on synaptic scaling. R.E. Trana, W.L. Kath, N. Spruston. Program No. 728.9. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.

    • Computational modeling of scaled synaptic inputs on CA1 dendritic shafts and spines. R.E. Trana, Y. Katz, W.L. Kath, N. Spruston. Program No. 737.16. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.

    • Transposon Mutagenesis of Igepon Metabolizing Bacteria. R.E. Trana, R. Nordeen. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 56, 2002.