News
Detecting forest threats with AI and Drones: College of Computing faculty receives MTRAC grant
May 29, 2025
Dr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq, assistant professor in the College of Computing at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), has been awarded a $43,284 grant from Michigan State University’s MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub, along with matching funds from GVSU’s College of Computing. The grant will support a nine-month project titled “Precision Environmental Monitoring with Edge Computing,” which aims to develop a real-time, AI-powered drone system to detect invasive species in Michigan forests.
This funding opportunity was a direct result of the MTRAC event hosted by the College of Computing in February, where academic and industry leaders gathered to explore opportunities for applied research and commercialization. The event helped connect Rafiq with the MTRAC AgBio program and provided a platform to showcase the real-world potential of his environmental monitoring system.
“This project Dr. Rafiq is leading perfectly aligns with our strategic focus on expanding research and innovation that has real-world impact. Seeing a direct funding outcome from the MTRAC event we hosted in February is exactly the kind of momentum we’re working to build,” stated Dean Maroaune Kessentini.
Rafiq’s new research builds upon his previous work detecting oak wilt, an aggressive tree disease, by expanding to another serious threat: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). The project uses unmanned aerial vehicles and edge-based computer vision to analyze imagery in real time, eliminating the need for internet connectivity. The system includes a mobile app that allows users to provide feedback on detections, creating a “human-in-the-loop” model that becomes smarter over time.
“The goal is to build systems that are practical, affordable, and impactful,” stated Rafiq. “We want forest managers and conservationists to get immediate insights right in the field.”
The project includes partnerships with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the City of Grand Haven, and other local partners. Together, they will collect fresh HWA imagery, train an AI model optimized for edge deployment, and validate its accuracy through field testing. The work also aligns with broader GVSU priorities around applied research, sustainability, and experiential learning.
A key collaborator on the project is Blue Nucleus, a student-powered development lab housed within the Applied Computing Institute (ACI) that brings together faculty innovation and student talent. Colin Brennan, an undergraduate from Blue Nucleus is in the process of designing the front end of the monitoring system, while a graduate student, Muttaki Bismoy, is focused on training the AI models. Rafiq expects additional student hires as the project grows, offering more hands-on opportunities that blend technical skill-building with real-world impact.
“This project is a fantastic example of the kind of high-impact, experiential learning we strive to create through ACI,” stated Dr. Jonathan Engelsma, Director of ACI. “Blue Nucleus was designed to give students the opportunity to work on real-world problems alongside faculty and industry partners, and Dr. Rafiq’s work is a home run in that regard. Not only are students contributing to cutting-edge research, but they’re also gaining the kind of hands-on, collaborative experience that sets them apart in the job market.”
“This project showcases what Blue Nucleus is capable of,” said Rafiq. “We’re giving students ownership of a meaningful research challenge while preparing them for the workforce and entrepreneurial paths.”
The implications go far beyond Michigan’s forests. Rafiq believes this system can eventually be adapted to detect other environmental threats such as Beech Bark Disease (BBD) and Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). Its affordability and mobility make it well-suited to support cash-strapped forestry departments across the country.
With commercialization on the horizon, the project reflects Rafiq’s engineering and entrepreneurial mindset. “We’re not just building a prototype,” he said. “We’re building a solution that can scale and sustain itself – one that supports both the environment and the people working to protect it.”
As Grand Valley and the College of Computing continue to elevate its research profile, this project exemplifies the university’s commitment to innovation, student engagement, and public good. Plans are already underway to capture drone footage and document the project’s milestones for broader promotion.
“This is the kind of work we want the world to see,” said Rafiq.
Written by Shelby Harrison.