Jason Hallstrom

Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health | Interim Executive Director, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Professor

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

jhallstrom@fau.edu
(561) 297-4748

Boca Raton Campus

Education

Research Interests

  • Embedded Network Systems
  • Internet-scale Sensing Infrastructure
  • The Internet of Things
  • Computing Education

Research Site

Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health

Executive Director of Florida Atlantic University's Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health, which coordinates FAU's activities in Sensing and Smart Systems. He holds a B.S. in Systems Analysis, an M.A. in Economics, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Science. His expertise is in the design, deployment, and management of wireless sensing infrastructure, with an emphasis on sensor platform design. His work is currently supported through the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NOAA (via subcontract from Coastal Carolina University) and was previously supported through the NSF, EPA, USDA, NASA, and other entities.

Internet of Things

Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D., the director of the Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health and professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is changing the world with an "Internet of Things." His research includes embedded network systems, internet-scale sensing infrastructure, data analytics, and computer education. Previously he spent time as a key member of a research team that created an information web to monitor and analyze the health of the Savannah River Basin.

Here is more information about Dr. Hallstrom, in his own words:

I've been interested in computer science and engineering since I was a little kid, when I received an Atari 800 computer as a Christmas gift. It came with a programming guide for Atari Basic, and from there, I was hooked.

Our team develops technology that enables visibility into the physical world for purposes of understanding and automation. The applications range from environmental science, to healthcare, to sculpture. As a result, we collaborate with brilliant people from a variety of domains — and it's that collaboration that I most enjoy.

I'm always the most excited about projects that combine hardware engineering and software engineering to produce devices that people use. One project that stands out for me is a low-power wireless sensing platform that I developed for water quality and atmospheric monitoring. That device and its later revisions have been used in a number of sensing projects over the last twelve years. I still enjoy working on the revisions.

I think that some of the most exciting developments will be driven by increased municipal adoption of sensing, computing, and communication technology. When our municipal infrastructure is smart, when it can understand how the infrastructure is currently being used, cities will be able to provide a whole new set of services to improve resource utilization, public safety, mobility, and quality of life.

I-SENSE recently launched its fourth startup company, e-Spectoco, LLC, focused on agricultural sensing and data science. Working closely with OTD, e-Spectoco was able to execute an exclusive license for FAU technology that serves as the foundation of the company's first product.

As one of my hobbies, I renovate old arcade machines. I'm currently working on a Ms. Pac-Man cabinet in my garage.