Summer 5Q: Derek Fox Runs the Numbers on Energy Consumption

A big opportunity came along for Derek Fox (Campbell, ’11) this summer.

Working with Dr. Jeffrey Ward at Northern Kentucky University’s Applied Science and Technology Center in Fort Thomas, KY, the opportunity arose for Fox to join a research project that is looking for ways to optimize energy usage through the Integral Analytics company’s Demand Response Pricer project. Fox is applying math and computer science techniques to contribute possible solutions to a part of a growing public discussion on energy consumption. An outline of the project that Fox is contributing to is available online at http://www.integralanalytics.com/drpricer.php.

Fox is the recipient of one of eleven Research Internship Grants that the Gatton Academy awarded this summer. These grants fund students between their junior and senior years to perform summer research projects.

Fox recently took the time to update us on how his summer experience is going by answering a few questions and sending in a photo:

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding.

This summer I am conducting research with Dr. Jeff Ward, focusing on the optimization of algorithmic searches in a real-world scenario concerning Integral Analytics Demand Response Pricing systems. This research will assist utility companies in making faster, smarter decisions for the new-coming Demand Response Programs, such as Smart Grids.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

The most enjoyable part of my summer experience is having the opportunity to examine some of the most intricate algorithms, which most students don’t experience until they are approaching a graduate program. I wake up every day knowing that the research I am conducting will make an impact on the future of utility companies.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

During the summer, most high school students spend their time working at a local fast food restaurant or hanging out with friends. They are living for the day, not looking ahead to the future. Research gives me the experience I will need to help obtain a respectable job and make my college application stand out.

4. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I will be using my research experience to enter competitions such as the Siemens Competition as well as the Intel Science Talent Search. I also plan on submitting my research experience when applying for the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.

5. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

I plan on Majoring, Mastering, and acquiring my Ph. D. in Computer Science. My dream job is to become a professor of computer science, where I can conduct research of my own. This experience allows me to look into the future examining the types of things I will be doing. This opportunity has allowed me to examine some of the most intricate algorithms, which most students wouldn’t have even encountered, let alone worked with, until they were nearing their graduate program. This opportunity has allowed me to be a step ahead of the competition in completing my goals.

6. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

The most exciting thing about returning to the Academy is hard to say. I look forward to enhancing my algorithmic skill in Computer Science III, where most of the course will be over discrete logic. I have also planned with my roommate and suite-mates to have a Computer Science suite, as we are all fairly competent programmers. I definitely look forward to working on out-of-the-classroom projects in order to enhance our experience as a team.

Applied Science and Technology Center, Derek Fox, Dr. Jeffrey Ward, Northern Kentucky University, research, Research Internship Grant, Summer