University of Nebraska Omaha: A Hub for Innovative Research and Creative Activity
The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is committed to fostering a vibrant research environment for students and faculty alike. From cybersecurity to enhancing mobility for stroke patients, UNO's research initiatives are transforming the world by developing smarter, safer, and more accessible solutions that positively impact individuals and communities.
Accessing Resources for Research: MAVLINK and Beyond
MAVLINK, UNO's student information system, provides access to a multitude of online services essential for enrollment, including courses, grades, tuition payments, and holds. While NetID credentials are the primary access method for admitted students, current students, faculty, and staff, NUID credentials cater to those without NetID access, such as applicants and alumni. GUEST credentials offer limited access to parents, family members, or others authorized by a student.
Beyond MAVLINK, UNO offers a range of resources to support research endeavors. Criss Library's Research and Instruction Services (RIS) plays a crucial role in guiding students through the evolving information landscape, with a focus on information literacy skills, including those related to artificial intelligence.
Fostering Student Research and Creative Activity
UNO recognizes the importance of engaging students in research and creative activities. Undergraduate and graduate students from each of UNO's six colleges collaborate with faculty to explore innovative methods for solving complex problems.
Several funding opportunities are available to support student research:
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FUSE Grant: Provides up to $2,500 for undergraduate research or creative projects completed with a faculty mentor.
GRACA Awards: Awards up to $5,000 for graduate students pursuing faculty-mentored research or creative activity.
Student Conference Travel Fund: Helps students present their research or creative work at regional and national conferences.
Student Research Travel Support: The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences offers up to $500 per academic year to students seeking financial assistance for student presentations at academic conferences.
The annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair (RCAF) provides a platform for students from all disciplines to showcase their work through posters, talks, exhibits, and performances.
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Artificial Intelligence and Research at UNO
UNO is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into research and education. Recognizing the rapid evolution of technology, UNO is committed to guiding students in navigating the AI landscape effectively.
Criss Library is actively involved in supporting AI initiatives:
- RIS faculty and staff are integrating information literacy skills for artificial intelligence into library instruction services.
- The library is partnering with academic colleges to incorporate AI tools into the research process, where appropriate and with care.
- Online Learning and Education Librarian Monica Maher is developing audiovisual materials demonstrating AI research assistants available through library database vendors like EBSCO, ProQuest, and Elsevier.
- These AI tools are closed systems that prioritize user privacy by not saving inputs to train external models.
UNO's bachelor's degree in AI, the first in Nebraska, underscores the university's commitment to leadership in AI and education. The AI Learning Lab, part of the Division of Innovative and Learning Centric Initiatives, offers enterprise ChatGPT access through the OpenAI Challenge, AI-powered educator grants, professional development opportunities, and showcases of pilot projects. The AI Learning Lab encourages the responsible and ethical use of AI in higher education.
Cybersecurity Research at UNO
The NU Center for Cybersecurity (NebraskaCYBER) engages in timely and relevant research, with a strong focus on applied research. The center builds upon the lessons learned in basic research and utilizes these findings in the community.
NU ITS provides a rich set of data in which faculty experts can conduct applied research projects that would serve to inform our campus communities and be appropriate for broader academic publication or external funding proposals. These studies help to advance a faculty member’s research trajectory and provide an additional lens to help inform UNO, ILCI, NU ITS, and the NU Office of Digital Education of key themes and findings related to our cybersecurity posture and digital learning environment that could lead to improvement, exceptional services, and ultimately student success in new ways.
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The Importance of Information Literacy
Criss Library's core mission of Research and Instruction Services (RIS) has always been to help students understand how information is created and valued, and to guide them in navigating the evolving information landscape effectively and efficiently.
To further student success in critical thinking and information literacy skills. Several library database vendors, including EBSCO, ProQuest, and Elsevier, have introduced integrated AI research assistants over the summer.
Scholarly Success and Support Networks
The journey to scholarly success is a complex one, filled with challenges and rewards. Celebrating Maverick research and creative activity achievements is a key part of the Office of Research and Creative Activity.
The Social Science Research Commons (SSRC) is a space for students, faculty, and community members to build opportunities & support networks for interdisciplinary research.
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