National and international guest speakers and New Zealand academics and researchers are making their mark on the APAN26 programme. Here you can find biographies of these speakers and abstracts of their presentations for APAN26.

Plenary
Sustainable Networking
eScience
eCulture
Medical
Network Engineering
Agriculture
Natural Resources
SIP and Network Security
Middleware

Plenary

Professor Jianping Wu

Professor Wu is the Chair of APAN and will be opening the APAN26 Sustainable Networking conference. He is the director of Network Research Center of Tsinghua University and of the China Education and Research Network (CERNET), and is a vice president of Internet Society of China (ISC).

Professor Wu's areas of specialisation include computer network architecture and its applications and network protocol testing. He has successfully undertaken more than 20 national projects and he is the chief scientist of the National Fundamental Scientific Project “New Generation Internet Architecture Theory Research”. Due to his outstanding research, he has been received numerous national Science and Technology awards.

Karel Vietsch

Karel is the Secretary General of TERENA, the European association of research and education networking organisations. He was the activity leader of the EARNEST foresight study. Karel Vietsch holds a PhD in mathematics from Leiden University. Before joining TERENA in 1996, he worked as a researcher at Leiden University, a Department Manager at Delft University of Technology and a science policy advisor and head of unit in the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Abstract:  Europe's EARNEST recommendations: Innovation, Integration and Deployment

The recently completed EARNEST foresight study (2006-2008) has looked into the expected development of research and education networking, with a special focus on the European region. EARNEST encompassed sub-studies in seven areas: researchers' requirements, technical issues, campus issues, economic issues, geographic issues, organisation and governance issues, and the requirements of users in schools, the healthcare sector and the arts, humanities and social sciences. The results of the EARNEST study on technical issues will be presented by Kevin Meynell in the APAN Backbone Committee meeting on August 6th.

In the current presentation, we will give an overview of the major findings and recommendations from the EARNEST study as a whole. We will look back at the earlier SERENATE foresight study, mention some findings about the past and current impact of data networking on research, discuss the priority that should be given to wider deployment of services, explain the need for a change of mindset from providing connectivity to serving users, emphasise the need for integration between networkers at national and at local level, and present some issues of digital and geographic divide.

Matthew Bolland

Mathew leads the Corporate Services team at TelstraClear, New Zealand’s second largest full service telecommunications company. He joined TelstraClear in 2002, prior to regulatory reforms which have provided the challenger with opportunities to deliver new services to more New Zealanders in more places.

Mathew is responsible for marketing, regulatory and corporate affairs, including relationships with government and the media. He has an extensive background in managing communications in times of change, across a broad range of industry sectors including electricity, water, local government and state housing. He began his career as a journalist and is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.

Mark Billinghurst

Mark is the Director of the HIT Lab NZ (http://www.hitlabnz.org/wiki/Home). He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human computer interface technology, particularly in the area of Augmented Reality (the overlay of three-dimensional images on the real world).

Abstract: Towards the CyberSociety - Next Generation Teleconferencing

Computing and communication are merging in a way that allows people to connect in ways never seen before. In this presentation we describe current leading edge technologies that will change the way we collaborate in the near future.

High bandwidth connectivity, always on ubiquitous computing, augmented reality, immersive displays and massive social networks are technologies that can be combined in new ways to move towards the dream of a fully connected cybersociety. Examples will be shown from the work of the HIT Lab NZ and leading research laboratories worldwide, and applications demonstrated in the medical, entertainment, and education domains among others.

Merryn Dunmill

Merryn is Director of the newly formed UNESCO/University of Canterbury’s Asia Pacific Arts Education Observatory (NZ) known as AHA  (Arts Hub Aotearoa). She is also contracted by the NZ Ministry of Education as Project Leader of their key portal for all arts education – Arts Online. In her spare time Merryn works as Director of Distance Music at the Christchurch School of Music, and is a PhD candidate studying e-mentoring in musical arts education.

Abstract: Virtually Anyone Can Learn Music

This demonstration features real-time video conferencing technologies through KAREN – Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network - for the teaching and learning of a musical instrument.

New digital technologies are ideally tested in real-time, time-based creative arts practices where the highest quality, lowest latency, synchronous audio and visual technologies are essential. Is New Zealand ready to interact online to ensure sustainable, accessible, musical and cultural arts learning both across the nation and across the world? In a world of discontinuities, can we ensure all young people are given global opportunities to uplift and change their lives? Can we facilitate this change through creating global networks where virtually anyone, anywhere can share music learning and cultural knowledge so that we may develop new understandings of ourselves, others and the world we live in?
 

Bill St.Arnaud

Bill is Senior Director Advanced Networks for CANARIE Inc., Canada's Advanced Internet Development Organization. At CANARIE Bill has been responsible for the coordination and implementation of Canada's next generation optical Internet initiative called CA*net 4.  He has been the principal architect of the User Controlled LightPath concept of applying Service Oriented Architecture to network elements to allow users to create their own Internet network topologies and architectures fully integrated with their specific application and instrument needs.

Abstract: Saving the Planet at the Speed of Light - How R&E networks can help reduce global warming

Bill will talk about the development of new types of computational and network architectures, such as optical high speed research networks and distributed zero carbon cyber-infrastructure data centres, that can reduce CO2 emissions while also benefit eScience. See Bill’s full abstract

David Lassner

David is the first Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer for the University of Hawaii. David is also a member of the University's Graduate Faculty and has taught Computer Science, Business, Communication and Education.

He currently Chairs the Internet2 Governance and Nominations Committee.  He is President and Chair of the Board of Governors of the Pacific Telecommunications Council. He is also active in Educause and served for 7 years on the faculty of the Educause and CAUDIT management institutes in the U.S. and Australia. David is Principal Investigator (PI) at the Maui High Performance Computing Center. He is also co-PI for the Pacific Disaster Center, which applies information technologies to help foster disaster resilient communities throughout the region.

Abstract: An Inside Look at the New Internet2 Strategic Plan

Internet2 has just adopted a new Strategic Plan. The new plan recognizes the need to extend beyond the network layer to embrace end-to-end cyberinfrastructure, the criticality of collaboration with researchers, the role of our international partners and the importance of commercial partnerships. This presentation by one of the members of the core planning and writing team will share both the planning process and the plan itself with the APAN community.

Mike Riley

Mike is the CEO of Endace, a world leader in network traffic monitoring technology. Mike Riley has over 20 years experience in the networking and security marketplace. For the past four years he served as Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Network Engines, Inc. (NASDAQ: NENG), a leading manufacturer of server appliances for the security and storage networking market place.

Abstract: Advanced Network Measurement

Mike will address the sustainability dilemma facing network operators today and talks about how Endace and New Zealand will benefit from high speed networks.

Ian Foster

Ian, Computation Institute Director, is considered one of the founders of the international Grid community and has written many influential documents on Grid architecture and principles. He created the Distributed Systems Lab at Argonne and University of Chicago, which has pioneered key Grid concepts, developed Globus software, the most widely deployed Grid software, and led the development of successful Grid applications across the sciences.

An internationally recognized and widely cited researcher, Foster is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the British Computer Society.

Abstract

Computational approaches to problem solving have proven their worth in many fields of science, allowing the collection and analysis of unprecedented quantities of data and the exploration via simulation of previously obscure phenomena. We now face the challenge of scaling the impact of these approaches from the specialist to entire communities. I speak here about work that seeks to address this goal by rethinking science's information technology foundations in terms of service-oriented architecture.

In principle, service-oriented approaches can have a transformative effect on scientific communities, allowing tools formerly accessible only to the specialist to be made available to all, and permitting previously manual data-processing and analysis tasks to be automated. However, while the potential of such ""service-oriented science"" has been demonstrated, its routine application across many disciplines raises challenging technical problems. I describe the architectural principles, software, and deployments that I am and my colleagues have produced as we tackle these problems, and point to future technical challenges and scientific opportunities.
 

Cecil Goldstein

Cecil Goldstein is the Training Manager for APNIC, responsible for the development and management of APNIC's training and education activities. Prior to this, Cecil was a lecturer in the Faculty of Information Technology at the Queensland University of Technology, focussing particularly on internetworking subjects. He has been involved in Internet training and support from the initial AARNET days.

Abstract: APNIC IPv6 Update

As the pool of available IPv4 address space depletes, the Internet industry is facing a potential crisis in meeting this challenge and ensuring sustainable Internet development and growth.

This presentation will provide an update on the current state of IPv4 address space and will review the policies, options and possible solutions being looked at including IPv6 deployment.

Paul McCann

Paul McCann is Regional Group Manager for Network Planning in Verizon Business.  His responsibilities include network planning, carrier management, local access, and network optimisation for countries across the South Asia-Pacific Region, including Australia and New Zealand.  Paul joined Verizon Business in 2004.

Paul has over 35 years international work experience characterised by keen determination to deliver on time (get the job done) and within budgets.  Paul has demonstrated a keen ability to analyse and predict emerging business and industry trends then apply to specific organisational needs and implement with rigour. 

Abstract: Energy efficient advanced capabilities

Through energy-efficient long haul technology (UHL) Verizon Business has increased the capacity of fiber-optic networks by five times. Since UHL allows Verizon Business to extend the reach of light-beam signals beyond 1,200 miles without the need for regeneration, it also will enable the company in the future to decommission one third of its electrical powered regeneration shelters where UHL is deployed.

Paul McCann will outline the initiatives Verizon Business is investigating for the future, and the environmental impact of these advancements.

Sustainable Networking

Julian Carver

Julian is an independent consultant. His work focuses on facilitating data management and information sharing across research organisations and government agencies. He has contributed to a number of national initiatives including writing the strategy for the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System Programme, spearheading the NZ Organisms Register project, and planning the data management stream for Ocean Survey 20/20. Over the last four years he has worked with MoRST to inform policy development in eResearch and the science backbone.

Abstract: Environment Data 2.0

What is the future of environmental data management? How can a whole of sector approach to data support research, environmental management and policy? How can we get increasing returns from investments in data collection and curation? Julian will present a vision for a federated, interconnected approach to environmental data management, explore the way ‘wikinomics’ and ‘web 2.0’ approaches could be applied, and discuss the implications of advanced networks and grid computing in extracting value from ever increasing volumes of environmental data.

Paul Grimwood

Paul is a programmer at GNS Science, designing software for data collection and management of the GeoNet project. He is also project manager for the REANNZ KAREN capability fund Seismographic Information Service project and has recently been made project leader for GNS Science Data and Information Systems capability project. This project will see data across GNS be made more accessible and useful. Paul also has a background in neuroscience and spent 3 years in Philadelphia studying goldfish memory.

Abstract: Data on the edge for environmental decision making and research

GeoNet monitors earthquake activity around New Zealand and collects 3.5 GB of seismic data per day. Paul will discuss new tools, services and user interfaces that will make this data more easily accessible for teaching and research in New Zealand and around the world.

Mark Gahegan

Mark directs the Centre for e-Research at the University of Auckland and is also a Professor in the School of Geography, Geology and Information Science.  He was, until December 2007, Associate director of the GeoVISTA Center at Penn State, USA.  His research interests span the geo-information sciences, from semantics and knowledge management, through information and knowledge visualization and machine learning, to data structures and algorithms.  He has been an active member in several cyber-infrastructure initiatives involving: the geosciences, human-environment interaction, e-learning archeology, and plant pathology.  He has specific interests in capturing and communicating meaning amongst collaborating scientists as they work to better understand Earth’s complex systems.

Abstract: The potential that e-Research can offer, and its importance to New Zealand

This talk describes some of the potential of e-Research to better support the New Zealand research community and enable them to join with their international counterparts in solving the world’s most pressing problems in fields such as ecology, tectonics, disease dynamics, climate change, and bio-security.

It outlines some of the successes to date, and what challenges must yet be overcome to support better collaboration, sharing of expensive equipment, archiving of important experimental details, and distillation of new knowledge. It also describes a vision for how e-Research could—if well coordinated—form a vital link between scientists and government in times of crisis, with rapid exchange of data, predictions, interpretations and background knowledge.

James Hettrick

W. James Hettrick CEO of ISMS (http://www.is-ms.com), a Communications Ecosystem Architectural firm, was the creative force behind the internationally acclaimed Loma Linda Connected Community Program in Loma Linda, CA.  While at the City, he created new approaches to future proof the telecommunication infrastructure with a fiber and structured wiring building code ensuring a successful community with one infrastructure for multiple uses.

His innovative approach was endorsed with the International 2005 FTTxcellent Award issued by Lightwave Magazine. Network World Magazine awarded his deployment the honor of being validated as one of the top 40 commercial networks in the US.

James is speaking at the Sustainable Networking session (Tuesday 5 August) and at the Urban Fibre Deployment BoF (Thursday 7 August).

Abstract: Business models for advanced and sustainable networks (Tuesday 5 August)

Business models for advanced and sustainable networks must deliver any service to any consumer for any purpose at any time.  Therefore, a communications network is more than the technology, the vendors or the hardware.  It is about delivering desirable and mutually beneficial services in cost effective means.  This new systems approach addresses costs, savings and efficiency gained by having the services available.  Some of the service categories that your network must deliver are as follows: 1. Municipal & Government 2. Healthcare 3. Education 4. Enterprise & Commercial 5. Personal and Residential.   We will explore how specific services bring change to the equation of cost effective deployments and how private/public partnerships can assist in sustainability.

eScience

David Thorns

David is Director of the Social Science Research Centre and Professor of Sociology at the University of Canterbury. He has over 30 years experience as an urban researcher working in the fields of housing, social policy, social inequality, tourism, research methodology and the implications of globalisation.

Current areas of research are: restructuring and change within advanced capitalist societies and the meaning of house and home, globalisation and the creation of the knowledge economy/society.

Abstract: Developing eResearch: Challenges and possibilities for the Social Sciences

Hear about the role that Access Grid technology has played in the building of a national social science research network (BRCSS) and the key issues in developing both the technological platform for collaboration and a new culture and methodology of research practice. 

Shaun Hendy

Shaun Hendy is a Principal Scientist at Industrial Research Limited (IRL). He is also a Principal Investigator in the MacDiarmid Institute and has a joint appointment at Victoria University of Wellington in the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences.

He has a strong interest in e-Science that has developed out of his research, which involves extensive use of high performance computing. He is on the e-Research steering committee at Victoria and is the e-Research champion at IRL.

Abstract: Virtual Laboratories for Nanotechnology

Shaun will discuss both the role of virtual experiments in nanotechnology and the potential implications of virtual discovery for the development of intellectual property in nanotechnology.

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Stuart Charters

Stuart Charters received his BSc(Hons.) and PhD degrees from the University of Durham, UK.  He was part of the e-Science Research Institute at the University of Durham and was involved with projects funded through the UK e-Science programme focussed on Visualisation and Grid Computing.

Stuart is currently Lecturer of Software and Information Technology in the Applied Computing Group at Lincoln University, NZ where he continues research into visualisation architectures and supervises research students working on visualisation and e-Research projects. Stuart has research interests in Visualisation, Grid Computing and Software Engineering.

Abstract: Visualisation on the Grid: Helping with Sustainability

This presentation will outline approaches taken to visualisation using grid computing techniques and examine how these approaches can help with sustainability through increased utilisation of resources, flexible collaboration models and by reducing the need for travel.

David Park

David Park is CEO of the Geospatial Research Centre (GRC), a Christchurch-based SME providing research and consultancy services in the fields of positioning and orientation, with particular expertise in sensor integration, image analysis, data visualisation and electronics. With a growing research team, GRC is focused on not only leading the world in its areas of specific R&D excellence but in successfully realizing the value of its growing IP portfolio.

Abstract: Advanced Networks and the Geospatial Domain: Novel Research, Commercial Opportunities, Sector Sustainability

This paper will present case studies that demonstrate the benefits already being realised from advanced networking connectivity at the Geospatial Research Centre in:

• facilitating global collaboration on world-leading research
• supporting nascent global commercial opportunities
• enabling the NZ geospatial sector itself to become sustainable

Allen Rodrigo

Dr. Allen Rodrigo is Professor of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, and the Director of New Zealand's Bioinformatics Institute at the University of Auckland.  He also sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of two New Zealand bioinformatics companies, is a Partner Investigator of the ARC Centre of Research Excellence in Bioinformatics, an Associate Investigator of the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, and is involved in several national and international collaborative projects on genomics and bioinformatics.  His major research contributions are in the area of virus evolutionary genetics, where he has developed new methods to analyse time-series genetic data from viral populations.

Abstract: Developing a bioinformatics grid-aware client

The New Zealand Bioinformatics Institute has been funded by REANNZ  Ltd and TelstraClear Ltd to develop a BestGrid-enabled application for bioinformatics. They have been doing this in conjunction with Biomatters Ltd. The application is a client that is able to run programs that are distributed across the grid in a seamless manner. To develop this application the Institute has had to develop some diagnostic tools to assist users with workflow management, etc.  This presentation will include details of the architecture of the application and the general philosophy behind its development.

Rick Henry

Rick Henry is currently studying for a PhD at Auckland University in "Structural seismic validation of self-centering precast concrete wall details". His research involves strong collaboration with Iowa State University and the National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan.

Abstract: Earthquake Engineering on KAREN

Since 2006, New Zealand researchers have established the New Zealand Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NZNEES). NZNEES was modelled on the experience of the USA. NZNEES currently conducts research with corresponding networks in the United Kingdom, Taiwan and the USA. This paper presents example projects which showcase the new exciting research capabilities enabled by KAREN, and demonstrates the use of video conferences in mitigating the production of carbon emission by minimising international air travel.

Brent Gilpin

Brent Gilpin is a senior scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in Christchurch, and an adjunct Senior fellow at the University of Canterbury. Brent works on molecular microbiology aspects of contamination of water and food. His research interests include tools to identify sources of water contamination, genotyping of bacteria, campylobacteriosis, molecular epidemiology and the genetic basis of the persistence and virulence of microbial pathogens. He is New Zealand representative to the molecular subtyping network PulseNet Asia Pacific where he is responsible for development of regional databases, and at the PulseNet International level has established the PulseNet International website which he manages.

Abstract: PulseNet Asia Pacific – Using KAREN to help advance international collaborations for analysis of disease causing bacteria for both research and public health action

ESR is part of PulseNet International - a worldwide public health and food laboratory network for sharing DNA fingerprinting results of bacterial pathogens such as E. coli type O157, Listeria, and Campylobacter. PulseNet developed software to compare DNA fingerprint patterns, and the establishment of national databases.

ESR is utilising KAREN to help establish a distributed regional DNA typing databases to allow the archiving of typing performed in the Asia Pacific, and to support inter-country comparisons. A secure discussion forum has also been established. Both desktop and room based video conferencing facilities are being explored to improve communication among participants, facilitate training in both laboratory and computer analysis, and for research and outbreak research seminars among participants.

eCulture

Annick Janson

Dr Annick Janson is Research Director of the Microsoft New Zealand "Partners in Learning" programme; Associate, Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington; and Director, Ecosynergy Group Ltd.

Her research interests include leadership in education; the social construction of leadership; and change management and cross-cultural leadership.

Abstract: Are we there yet? Crafting a Research Agenda to Understand the Potential of ICT-Enabled Learning: the Marvin Case Study

Annick and her team of collaborators are developing a research agenda to pilot the educational uses of Marvin, an Avatar-based eLearning application. Marvin allows for the rapid creation of culturally specific and multi-lingual resources in communities, by communities, and for communities, in real time. After successful implementation within social contexts, Marvin is now being distributed to education systems globally.

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Andrew Dunningham

Andrew is a researcher at New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute - Scion, formerly the Forest Research Institute. He has been involved in plantation forestry research over that last 30 years focusing on information technology, GIS and remote sensing.  Over the last 3 years he has been involved in developing a pedagogical inquiry model, Forests of Life, to more effectively take authentic science from New Zealand's Crown Research Institutes into the classroom.

Abstract: Inquiry by KAREN:  How can a scientist participate in running a scientific inquiry in schools using a high speed network?

Scion is one of New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes with a research strategy on sustainable use of biomaterials in the economy. As part of Scion’s charter with the Government, we are required to be involved with schools in improving science learning outcomes. Over the last two years we have run a successful science programme – Forests of Life – (http://www.forestsoflife.org) based on inquiry pedagogy. A new programme, Science for Life, will enable the further development of the inquiry model for use in secondary schools and across a wider range of sciences and science investigation methods.

Inquiry by KAREN will investigate and modify the methods, pedagogy and classroom practice developed in Science for Life to allow for effective engagement of students with scientists using a high speed network that goes beyond a role of visiting expert. e.g. A scientist as a mentor, as an advisor/supervisor, as a facilitator, as a critical reviewer, as an inspirer, as a teacher.

Medical

Stuart Gowland

Dr Stuart Gowland is a Urologist and also Director of the New Zealand Mobile Surgical and Rural Health Development Project.

With an advisory board of 12 Clinicians representing New Zealand’s Nurses, General Practitioners, Surgeons and Anaesthetists the Mobile Surgical Bus project commenced surgery in rural New Zealand in March 2002. Some 9,000 day surgical cases have been completed by the ‘bus’ at small country hospitals reinvigorating them with a new high profile ‘raison d’être’ and taking the load off base hospitals. Communities in all sorts of ways regularly show their huge appreciation of this service which gives them access they never dreamed of.

Shortly after the start of surgery, followed the implementation of the Rural Health Development component involving an advanced form of electronic distance collaboration termed ‘Teleporting’.  This technique uses a combination of multiple camera selection and control to give the feeling to a user of being at the remote site, able to move around, look where they want to and to select devices such as X-rays, ultrasound or computers for viewing.

Starting with a ‘virtual private network’ in New Zealand this has now expanding to sites at major health institutions. At this point in the USA, Memorial Sloane Kettering and the Cleveland Clinic are involved but soon to join are sites in the UK and Australia.

Abstract: Teleporting to Remote Venues and Future Communication Technologies

The Mobile Surgical Project is funded by the New Zealand Government to develop technologies to exploit two ideas:

1. The Mobile sharing of expensive equipment and facilities in New Zealand health service
2. The sharing of knowledge utilising interactive video communication at broadcast quality with associated remote control that we have termed teleporting

Examples will be shown of the use of teleporting technology over several years to different medical and associated venues in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. 

A live surgical link will be undertaken to an ophthalmology operating room in Christchurch demonstrating a cataract extraction for a patient with a replacement lens insertion.  The audience will be able to interact with the Surgeon during the procedure at the same time making selections of the views they want. Views could be of the surgeon, a general view of the operating room and any other contributors or looking down the operating microscope at the procedure.  Future applications of this technology including areas other than medicine will be discussed.

Mark Billinghurst from the Human Interface Technology Laboratory will discuss further developments of knowledge sharing and acquisition involving the worlds of virtual and augmented reality.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology can be used to develop interfaces that provide a far more natural remote conferencing experience. Examples will be shown of tools that have been developed to support remote 3D medical data visualization alongside traditional video conferencing, a desktop 3D conferencing space that creates the illusion of being in a real conference room, and an AR conferencing tool that creates the illusion that remote people are beside the user in the real world.  In addition, future research trends in these fields will be discussed and their application to collaborative technologies.

Malcolm Miller

Malcolm Miller is Cisco’s Healthcare Lead for Australia and New Zealand.

Malcolm is a trained medical doctor and completed his MBChB at the University of Auckland School of Medicine in 2005.

Prior to joining Cisco he was the National Head of Health Sector Marketing and Sales at Vodafone New Zealand.  He has held positions at Telecom New Zealand and Applied Materials Japan, and ran a successful ICT consulting business.

Malcolm also holds an MBA in Asia Pacific International Business from the Universities of Hawaii and Hitotsubashi (Tokyo) and a Master of Engineering degree with Distinction from the University of Auckland.

Abstract: Cisco’s Healthcare Lead for Australia and New Zealand

Healthcare's conjoint challenges of improving efficiency and outcomes are driving healthcare ICT innovation towards supporting new innovative service configurations. One area with promising indicative evidence is the use of high definition video together with telemetry of diagnostic signs to break the one clinician to one patient constraint, thereby improving quality, access, and efficiency.

This session will review some of the early evidence and plans for this area from the US, UK, and Australia and New Zealand.

Network engineering

Richard Harris

Richard is the Chair in Telecommunications and Network Engineering in the Institute of Information Science and Technology at Massey University. He is currently teaching students in the fields of teletraffic engineering, communication switching, Internet engineering and conducting research in a variety of topics including network design and optimisation, network traffic management and network performance.

Before joining Massey University in 2005, Richard was Director of the Centre for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications (CATT) and Professor of Communication Systems in the School of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Richard also spent 15 years with Telecom Australia at their Research Labs and their network planning headquarters.

Abstract: Current Research Activities in Next Generation Network Planning

Witness research in techniques for:

• measurement and forecasting of network service demand
• optimal routing
• network traffic management
• delay and jitter minimisation on real-time traffic streams

Graphical planning tools (that provide a platform for development of models, algorithms and simulation test beds) will also be shown to illustrate how the research is implemented in practical systems.

Agriculture

John McEwan

John is the principal scientist in animal genomics at AgResearch. John's team at AgResearch and international collaborators from the International Sheep Genomics Consortium are currently working on a project to sequence and assemble the sheep genome.

John is the secretary of the International Bovine BAC Mapping Consortia and New Zealand technical representative on the Bovine Genome Sequencing Programme Advisory Committee.

Abstract: Assembling the sheep genome via KAREN

The International Sheep Genomics Consortia (http://www.sheephapmap.org) is sequencing and assembling the sheep genome in order to create a high density single nucleotide polymorphism array or "SNP chip" that can interrogate 60,000 SNP variants in an individual. The sequencing using high throughput next generation sequencing technology, subsequent sequence assembly, and SNP detection is taking place at more than 6 separate locations around the world (Australia, USA, New Zealand).

Raw sequence and results are stored on a central database at AgResearch Invermay (https://isgcdata.agresearch.co.nz/) and transferred between groups via KAREN. Without the high speed data transfer ability of KAREN this collaborative project would have been impossible to undertake at multiple sites. Current progress and future intentions will be described

Bridgit Hawkins

Bridgit manages the Farmgate Programme for MediaLab incorporating projects on environmental sensing, dairy effluent management and traceability. Bridgit also draws on her successful experience in science and technology commercialisation to provide strategic business advice to MediaLab’s management team and Board of Directors.

Abstract: An Application for Sensor Networks - Effluent Monitoring

The remote capture of data on a farm opens up many possible applications that are enabled by the Internet.  This paper describes the development of a system for monitoring and managing the effluent disposal on Massey University’s No4 Dairy farm.  The data from the sensors is collected into a central point and is transmitted via the cell phone network to a central processing engine to interpret and report back to the farmer. The farmer receives a text message each day with a recommendation of the “best” irrigation decision for that day which is based on the real time status of the farm. All the data and recommendations are available through a web portal so a farm owner or manager off-site can monitor the status of the effluent system remotely.

Natural resources

Michael Uddstrom

Michael Uddstrom is NIWA’s Science Leader for Environmental Forecasting, and leads NIWA’s weather related hazards forecasting research effort. He has more than 30 years experience in the development of satellite algorithms for application across a wide range of science problems - from fisheries analysis to numerical weather prediction. He was also responsible for the development of the science and technology proposals that resulted in the acquisition of New Zealand’s first capability-class supercomputer in 1999, a Cray T3E 1200. He has been a champion for the development of High Performance Computing in New Zealand, is NIWA’s “e-Science champion”, and a member of the KAREN Capability Build Fund review committee.

Michael also leads NIWA’s EcoConnect initiative which has developed an integrated environmental forecasting and information system that is built on new advances in physical system simulation models, better use of real time observing systems, the power of High Performance Computing, and the use of high bandwidth networks to deliver forecasts to end users via web services and a rich internet application.

Abstract: An Early Warning System for Weather, Floods, Landslides, Coastal and Marine Natural Hazards

Michael will demonstrate the key aspects of a real-time Environmental Forecasting system that is using a high resolution weather prediction model coupled to a physically formulated distributed hydrological model, a probabilistic landslide model, a third generation wave model and a finite element storm surge model to forecast weather, river flows, river catchment states, sea state, storm surge (including astronomical tide) and, in the future, the probability of landslides.

Peyman Zawar-Reza

Peyman is a Meteorologist with the Geography Department at the University of Canterbury. He was subsequently appointed as the Director of Centre for Atmospheric Research. His research interests are focused on numerical modelling of the atmosphere at meso-scales. Simulating the atmosphere has many applications for environmental studies including air pollution dispersion, estimating human exposure to air pollutants, regional climate analysis, wind farm prospecting, and short-term weather forecasting.

Abstract: Towards a multi-scale multi-model ensemble system for research and education

This presentation will cover the application of supercomputing resources for research and education in the atmospheric sciences, including:

• multi-model ensemble prediction system
• real-time forecasting system
  
• computationally based research
  

Niels Hoffmann

Niels is a Geospatial researcher and programmer at Landcare Research. He has a background in Physical Geography and worked as a technical consultant in the GIS industry. He is involved in the development of Landcare's geospatial databases and applications. Current research interests are Land Use classification and sustainable environments as well as the implementation of distributed databases and modelling environments.

Abstract: Application of SCENZ-Grid workflow to infer Lithology complexity

SCENZ-Grid is a REANNZ Capability Build Fund collaboration between Landcare Research and GNS Science. Niels will describe the technologies used in the first prototype SCENZ-Grid workflow.

Lithology is the surface layer of the earth's crust between the bottom of the soil profile and the underlying geology. Lithology is particularly important for the behaviour of aquifers, but New Zealand doesn’t have a lithology map. However both GNS and Landcare Research have data that can be used to infer lithology. This proof of concept workflow combines two mapping web-services and a look-up web-service to demonstrate the way that a number of distributed databases and web services could be orchestrated into a workflow to provide an inference about lithology.

SIP and Network Security

Malcolm Shore and Xianglin Deng

Malcolm has a background in information technology with the RNZAF and the Government Communications Security Bureau. He has been involved with the design and development of commercial voice, satellite, and radio cryptographic products.

He is currently a technology strategist for Telecom NZ and holds an adjunct position as Senior Fellow in the Computer Science and Software Engineering department of Canterbury University, where he lectures in Computer Forensics and Information Warfare. He also holds a position as Guest Professor to Wuhan University, China.

Ms Xianglin Deng came from Chengdu, Peoples Republic of China in 2002 to undertake graduate studies in telecommunications at Otago University. Upon graduating with first class honours, she moved to Canterbury University to do further post graduate studies. Xianglin obtained a scholarship from Telecom NZ and MediaLab Ltd to support her Master's degree, which is in the area of SIP Flooding attacks with a focus on VoIP architectures.

Abstract: Advanced Flooding attack on a SIP Server

SIP is a lightweight application layer protocol designed to manage and establish multimedia sessions, such as those required in video conferencing, Voice over IP telephony, messaging, and data sharing. SIP servers are vulnerable to denial of service (flooding) attacks, and are typically located inside the corporate LAN behind a firewall with SIP flooding protection.

In this paper, we demonstrate how such firewalls can be defeated and a SIP flooding attack achieved, and then describe a firewall mechanism to counter this form of attack.  A further improvement involving enhancements to the SIP server is also described and test results detailed.  This work has involved use of the innovative JAIN SLEE environment to develop an enhanced SIP Server, and the advantages of this environment are discussed.

Middleware

Robert Gibb

Dr Robert Gibb is the Geospatial  Informatics Research Leader at Landcare Research and PI for the SCENZ-Grid REANNZ Capability Build Fund project. He has over 25 years experience in geospatial research in New Zealand and pioneered GIS metadata catalogues in the late 80s and web-based GIS in the mid 90s. He was closely involved in the development of NZ's Geospatial Strategy, and continues to be closely involved with its implementation.

Abstract: SCENZ-Grid middleware for Collaborative Geospatial Computation

As network connectivity increases in speed and capacity, new collaborative opportunities emerge. Robert will describe how Landcare Research and GNS Science plan to capitalise on KAREN's speed to develop SCENZ-Grid - a new middleware architecture for geospatial collaboration and computation. At its core SCENZ-Grid brings together the concepts of GRID-computing and GRID-data storage, managed workflows and web based collaboration tools and applies them to delivery of on-demand geospatial analysis.
 

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Updated 29 July 2008