UTM hosts first annual Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition
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- Luther Holsonback (standing) with the American Red Cross, and Dr. Ray Witmer, UT Martin professor of engineering, visit during the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. In addition to the American Red Cross, other exhibitors were the National Weather Service, West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital, the UT Martin Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and Discovery Park of America.
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- Capt. Kory Green, of Dresden, training officer for the Martin Fire Department, speaks during the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. Green, a veteran firefighter and UT Martin graduate, also has experience in emergency management, rescue, disaster response and public safety.
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- Alisha Melton (right), of Dresden, prepares to talk with reporters Sinahi Carrizales (WNBJ Channel 39) and Diamon O’Daniel (WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News) during the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. Melton, UT Martin Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development executive director, was a conference speaker on the topic “Long-Term Disaster Recovery Process in Dresden.” She co-chairs the Weakley County Long-Term Recovery Group following the December 2021 tornado that caused massive damage in the Dresden community. More information about the recovery group’s work is found at www.rebuildweakley.com.
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- UT Martin student Carter Vandrasik (center), a UT Martin geoscience major from Kingston Springs, Tennessee, discusses a display during the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. Vandrasik is studying meteorology.
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- Dr. Saman Sargolzaei, UT Martin assistant professor of engineering, addresses the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 at the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. The event included speakers and exhibits, while the competition aimed to inspire and engage students by transforming their innovative ideas into real-world functional products.
The University of Tennessee at Martin hosted the first annual Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition Friday, April 21, in the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. With rapid growth of emerging technology and the
need to protect people and property against tornadoes, the competition aims to inspire and engage students by transforming their innovative ideas into real-world functional products. The one-day event was sponsored by IEEE Computer Society and was free and open to the public.
The conference featured Dr. Jana Houser, Ohio State University; Kory Green, City of Martin Fire Department; and Alisha Melton, executive director of UT Martin Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, as guest speakers. The American Red Cross, West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital, the UT Martin Student Chapter of American Meteorological Society and Discovery Park of America are conference exhibitors.
West Tennessee is a part of the tornado region called Dixie Alley, which is known for deadly, long-tracked, violent tornadoes. The main goal of the conference was to provide a sustainable impact on local communities by turning disaster into windows of opportunity by bringing together academic units, organizations and industries that are active in tornado management and recovery.
