{"id":583,"date":"2023-09-27T21:25:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T21:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/impress.engr.uga.edu\/?page_id=583"},"modified":"2026-04-22T15:43:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:43:00","slug":"projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/impress.engr.uga.edu\/index.php\/projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Total<\/strong> =$21.1M (my share = $8.5M)
Department of Defense (DOD)<\/strong> =$6M (my share = $4.2M)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)<\/strong> =$9.9M (my share = $3.0M)
National Science Foundation (NSF)<\/strong>=$1.75M (my share = $0.9M)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)<\/strong>=$3.5M (my share = $0.35M)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Active Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Enhancing SMAP Radiometer Performance: Calibration and RFI Detection via Deep Learning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Ali Gurbuz (NCSU), Sponsor<\/strong>: NASA, Soil Moisture Active-Passive Mission Science Team, Solicitation: NNH23ZDA001N-SMAP, Grant Number: 80NSSC25K7061, Amount<\/strong>: $493,008, Duration<\/strong>: Jan. 1, 2025\u2013Dec. 31, 2027. Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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SWIFT-SAT: INtegrated Testbed Ensuring Resilient Active\/Passive CoexisTence (INTERACT): End-to-End Learning-Based Interference Mitigation for Radiometers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (UGA), Vuk Marojevic (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (NCSU), Sponsor<\/strong>: NSF Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies – Satellite-Terrestrial Coexistence (SWIFT-SAT), Award Number:2332662, Amount<\/strong>: $750,000 (My share is $250,00), Duration<\/strong>: Jan. 1, 2024\u2013Dec. 31, 2026. Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Recycling the Radio Spectrum for Science: A New Paradigm for UAS-based Precision Agriculture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Sponsor<\/strong>: NSF, Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), Award Number: 2405807, Amount: $500,000, Duration: May 1, 2022\u2013Apr. 30, 2027. Learn more<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sensing Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Forest Water Content using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Transmissometry (GNSS-T) Approach: Fundamentals, Testbed, and Data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (UGA), Ines Fenni (JPL), Sponsor<\/strong>: NASA Global Navigation Satellite System Research, Solicitation: NNH23ZDA001N-GNSS,Grant Number: 80NSSC25K7954, Amount<\/strong>: $552,073 (my share is $368,955), Duration<\/strong>: Apr. 8, 2025\u2013Apr. 7, 2028. Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Unlocking Forest Vital Signs: High-Resolution Spatiotemporal VOD Mapping at Large Scales Through GNSS-T and LiDAR Fusion, Advancing NASA Earth Observation Systems <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Abesh Ghosh (Graduate Student) Sponsor<\/strong>: NASA, Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology, Solicitation: NNH24ZDA001N-FINESST, Grant Number: 80NSSC25K0460 Amount: $150,000, Duration: Oct 1, 2025\u2013 Sep. 30, 2028. Learn more<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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ForBERT: Unified Theory of Radiative Transfer for Vegetation Optical Depth Retrievals at Multiple Modalities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Role<\/strong>: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (UGA), Dylan R Boyd (MSU), Andreas Colliander(FMI) Sponsor<\/strong>: NASA Remote Sensing Theory for Earth Science, Solicitation: NNH24ZDA001N-RST,Grant Number: 80NSSC26K0705, Amount<\/strong>: $606,155, Duration<\/strong>: Apr. 15, 2026 \u2013 Apr. 14, 2029. Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Completed Projects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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  • [21] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Vuk Marojevic (PI – MSU), Ali Gurbuz (MSU), Nick Mastronarde (U. Buffalo), Fatemeh Afghah (Northern Arizona U.) Title: “SWIFT: LARGE: AI-Enabled Spectrum Coexistence between Aerial Communications and Passive Radio Services: Fundamentals, Testbed and Data,” Sponsor: NSF <\/strong>Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT) , Amount: $516,000 (My share is 30%), Duration: Oct. 1, 2020\u2013Sep. 30, 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [20] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Title: “Realistic and Computationally Efficient 3D Full-Wave Model for Multistatic Scattering from Vegetated Terrains at P\/L Band”, Sponsor: NASA <\/strong>California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Amount: $108,500, Duration: Oct 1, 2022\u2013Sep. 24, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [19] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Md Mehedi Farhad (Graduate student) Title: “Recycling the Radio Spectrum: Enhancing NASA\u2019s Earth Observing Systems Products over Forested Terrain by Direct Measurement of Vegetation Optical Depth “, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong>, Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology, Solicitation: NNH22ZDA001N-FINESST , Amount: $149,902, Duration: Sep. 1, 2023\u2013Aug. 31, 2026.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [18] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Dylan Boyd (Graduate student) Title: “Recycling the radio spectrum: Can anthropogenic signals in LEO be repurposed for science? Advancing soil moisture remote sensing with NASA Signals of Opportunity datasets, forward modeling, and physics-guided machine learning <\/mark>“, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong>, Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology, Solicitation: NNH21ZDA001N-FINESST , Amount: $134,731, Duration: Sep. 1, 2021\u2013Aug. 31, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [17] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Title: “GNSS Transmissometry (GNSS-T) of Forest Canopies in support of NASA\u2019s SMAP Validation Experiment (SMAPVEX) 2022”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Amount: $25,138, Duration: July 1, 2022\u2013Dec. 31, 2022.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [16] Role: Co-I, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), James Garrison (PI – Purdue Univ.), Jeffry Piepmier (NASA GSFC), Manuel Vega (NASA GSFC), Rajat Bilindish (NASA GSFC), Cynthia Firman (NASA GSFC), Matthew Fritts (NASA GSFC), Michael Cosh (USDA), Cornelis Du Toit (AS and D, LLC.), Kameron Larsen (JPL), Rashmi Shah (JPL), David Spencer (Purdue Univ.), Title: “SNOOPI: SigNals-Of-Opportunity Pband Investigation”, Sponsor: NASA <\/strong>Research Announcement, In-space Validation of Earth Science Technologies, Solicitation:NNH17ZDA001N-INVEST, Total Amount: $6,138,125 (My share is $115,104), Duration: Oct. 1, 2018\u2013Apr. 30, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [15] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: James Garrison (Purdue Univ.), Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Rajat Bilindish (NASA GSFC), and Jeffry Piepmier (NASA GSFC), Title: “Root-Zone and Surface Soil Moisture Retrieval from I, P and S-band Signals of Opportunity (SoOp) Reflectometry”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> Research Announcement, Terrestrial Hydrology, Solicitation: NNH17ZDA001N-THP, Amount: $414,000 (My share is $136,245), Duration: Jan. 1, 2018\u2013Dec. 31, 2020.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [14] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum, Title: “Developing Radar Scattering Models for UAVSAR”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Amount: $30,450 , Duration: May 1, 2019\u2013Dec. 31, 2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [13] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Orhan Eroglu (Grad Student, MSU), Title: “Unveiling CYGNSS Land Signatures for High Spatiotemporal Soil Moisture Estimation”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Program, Amount: $134,620, Duration: Sep. 1, 2018\u2013Dec. 31, 2019.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [12] Role:Co-PI, Investigators: Roger Lang (GWU), Peggy O\u2019Neill (NASA GSFC), Mehmet Kurum (GWU), Title: “Multi-frequency Soil Moisture Measurements and Analysis: SMAP L2-SM-P Retrieval Improvements”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> Goddard Space Flight Center, Grant Number NNX16AD94G, Amount: $58,992, Duration: Apr. 1, 2016\u2013 Mar. 30, 2017.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [11] Role: Science PI, Investigators:, Peggy O\u2019Neill (NASA GSFC), Mehmet Kurum (NASA GSFC) Title: “Modified Tau-Omega Model for Moderately to Densely Vegetated Landscapes”, Sponsor: NASA<\/strong> Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) NNH09ZDA001N-RST, Remote Sensing Theory, Amount: $375,802, Duration: Oct. 1, 2010\u2013Sep. 30, 2013.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [10] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Robert Moorhead (PI, MSU), Joby Czarnecki (MSU), Sathishkumar Samiappan(MSU), Title: “Advancement of UAS\/UAV Application Systems,” Sponsor: USDA<\/strong> Agricultural Research Service(USDA-ARS), Award # NACA 58-6064-9-007 Amount: $3,452,369 (My share is 10%) Duration: Sep. 01, 2018\u2013Sep. 30, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [9] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (MSU), Title: “Detecting Biological and Chemical Threats in Complex Subterranean Environments,” Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, U.S. Army Engineering Research & Development Center (ERDC), Amount: $1,525,734 (My share is 50%) Duration: Oct. 1, 2021\u2013Sep. 30, 2024. [change of PI due to departure from MSU]<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [8] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), John Ball (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (MSU), Title: “Sensor Fusion Based Remote Sensing for National Disaster Damage Assessment,” Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, U.S. Army Engineering Research & Development Center (ERDC), Award # W912HZ21C0022 Amount: $238,105 (My share is 40%) Duration: May. 26, 2021\u2013May. 25, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [7] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), John Ball (PI, MSU), Ali Gurbuz (MSU), Lalitha Dabbiru (MSU), Title: “Multi-Sensor Analytics and Sensor Fusion for Cross Country Mobility Assessment,” Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, U.S. Army Engineering Research & Development Center (ERDC), Award # W912HZ21C0022 Amount: $360,041 (My share is 20%) Duration: May. 26, 2021\u2013May. 25, 2023.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [6] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), John Ball (MSU), Pat Donohoe (MSU), Jenny Du (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (MSU), Title: “SimBRS II TO002- Advanced Modeling and Simulation of Multi-Physics Material Response in Geoenvironments -Topic 6: Remote Sensing and Sensor Fusion”, Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), Award # W56HZV-17-C-0095 Amount: (My share is $2,914,626) Duration: Sep. 22, 2017\u2013May. 30, 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [5] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (PI, MSU), John Ball (MSU), and Pat Donohoe (MSU), Title: “UAS-based site characterization”, Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC), Amount: $399,502 (My share is 20%), Duration: Oct. 1, 2018\u2013Sep. 30, 2019.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [4] Role: Co-PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Ali Gurbuz (PI, MSU), John Ball (MSU), George Mason(MSU), Title: “Ground Vehicle Mobility Research: Multi-Sensor Analytics and Sensor Fusion for Cross-Country Mobility Assessment”, Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, Engineering Research Development Center (ERDC), Award # W912HZ19C0036, Amount: $298,128 (My share is 25%) Duration: Jan. 1, 2019\u2013Feb. 1, 2021.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [3] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Pat Donohoe (MSU), Title: “CRESGV: HPC-Based Antenna and Multi-Sensor Ground Vehicle Placement”, Sponsor: DOD<\/strong>, U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC). Amount: (My share is $202,781), Duration: Jan. 01, 2018\u2013Sep. 30, 2018.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [2] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Title: “Evaluation and Development of Soil Moisture Retrievals Using CYGNSS Observations over Mississippi”, Sponsor: MSU<\/strong>, ORED Undergraduate Research Program Amount: $2,000 , Duration: Oct. 1, 2017\u2013Sep. 30, 2018.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • [1] Role: PI, Investigators: Mehmet Kurum (MSU), Title: “MS NASA EPSCoR<\/strong> RID Travel Grants”, Sponsor: MS NASA EPSCoR, [Feb. 1\u2013Mar. 31, 2019, $1750; Apr. 1\u2013Apr. 30, 2019, $900; Jan. 1\u2013Jan. 31, 2020, $1750; Dec. 6\u2013Dec. 8, 2021, $800; Jun. 27\u2013 Jun. 29, 2022, $1750],<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Sponsors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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