Student Profiles

David Fournier, BS '10

Just take a look around the UNH campus and you may see Computer Science major David
Fournier cruising around on his moped. Fournier, from Rye, N.H., knew he wanted to attend
UNH. He loved the campus, not too huge, and not too spread out - a great college town.
Fournier was admitted to UNH as an undeclared CEPS major with an interest in chemistry
and computers. During his freshman year, he took an introductory course in computer
programming taught by Professor Bergeron. “It was his enthusiasm for the class that
sparked my interest in computer science.” After talking with Bergeron, he learned about
the CS bioinformatics program, a new program that involves developing and utilizing
computer programs to crunch biological data. Students in the program learn to use their
computer programming skills to develop such programs while simultaneously getting some
background in the biological sciences. Fournier’s decision was made - he would major in
bioinformatics which would combine both his interests.
When Fournier, a sophomore, discovered a research opportunity with the Hubbard Center
for Genome Studies, he submitted an application for the McCooey award. This award,
donated by CS Alumus Jeremy McCooey, is designated for funding CS undergraduate
students to pursue research. Fournier received this award and started his research during
summer 2009 with the genome center.
Fournier worked with Professor W. Kelley Thomas whose group studies the basic patterns
and processes of genomic change and how these relate to our understanding of genetic
diversity and evolution. The research involved writing programs to analyze the DNA species
of nematodes (roundworms) to characterize the variations in their ribosomal RNA genes.
When asked what he liked about the experience. Fournier replied, “I loved working
alongside the grad students and loved the people I was working with. We had a lot of fun.
I appreciated the opportunity to be exposed to research in an academic environment.”
When asked the strengths of the computer science department, Fournier appreciated the
many computer programming assignments. He especially liked Professor Hatcher’s CS 520
class where he learned how things worked. “The assignments were not just superfluous but
meaningful ones. Hatcher took things from the beginning and worked them to the end”.
“The opportunities are tremendous at UNH. This summer I will be interning at Liberty
Mutual which I am looking forward to because it will expose me to the corporate side of
things.”

Just take a look around the UNH campus and you may see Computer Science major DavidFournier cruising around on his moped. Fournier, from Rye, N.H., knew he wanted to attendUNH. He loved the campus, not too huge, and not too spread out - a great college town.

Fournier was admitted to UNH as an undeclared CEPS major with an interest in chemistryand computers. During his freshman year, he took an introductory course in computerprogramming taught by Professor Bergeron. “It was his enthusiasm for the class thatsparked my interest in computer science.” After talking with Bergeron, he learned aboutthe CS bioinformatics program, a new program that involves developing and utilizingcomputer programs to crunch biological data. Students in the program learn to use theircomputer programming skills to develop such programs while simultaneously getting somebackground in the biological sciences. Fournier’s decision was made - he would major inbioinformatics which would combine both his interests.

When Fournier, a sophomore, discovered a research opportunity with the Hubbard Centerfor Genome Studies, he submitted an application for the McCooey award. This award,donated by CS Alumus Jeremy McCooey, is designated for funding CS undergraduatestudents to pursue research. Fournier received this award and started his research duringsummer 2009 with the genome center.

Fournier worked with Professor W. Kelley Thomas whose group studies the basic patternsand processes of genomic change and how these relate to our understanding of geneticdiversity and evolution. The research involved writing programs to analyze the DNA speciesof nematodes (roundworms) to characterize the variations in their ribosomal RNA genes.When asked what he liked about the experience. Fournier replied, “I loved workingalongside the grad students and loved the people I was working with. We had a lot of fun.I appreciated the opportunity to be exposed to research in an academic environment.

”When asked the strengths of the computer science department, Fournier appreciated themany computer programming assignments. He especially liked Professor Hatcher’s CS 520class where he learned how things worked. “The assignments were not just superfluous butmeaningful ones. Hatcher took things from the beginning and worked them to the end”.

“The opportunities are tremendous at UNH. This summer I will be interning at LibertyMutual which I am looking forward to because it will expose me to the corporate side ofthings.”

Dylan Fransway '10, 

Durham, N.H. – Growing up in an environment with access to computers is what sparked Dylan Fransway’s interest in computer science.   At a time when most kids his age did not have a computer in their home, Fransway was fortunate because he had an Apple computer at his disposal.  With technology always being an integral part of Fransway’s life he was able to discover his passion. 

Being a nontraditional student, Fransway, transferred from McIntosh College and began taking classes in computer science and electrical engineering.  He then found his path at UNH where he declared a dual major in computer science and electrical engineering.  He excelled academically and earned a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Fransway teamed up with Associate Professor Radim Bartos to research Navigation and Localization in Mobile Sensor Networks.  The goal was to measure the distance between two robots by transmitting two simultaneous signals, one sound and one radio. The project itself was built around a piece of technology Bartos already possessed, Sun’s Small Programmable Object Technology (SPOT) which are ingenious little computers about the size of a cell phone.  “It was fun working with Professor Bartos especially having a-hands on application.   You could see the change and see the effects and it was very satisfying,” Fransway said.

Fransway, a recent graduate, from Lee, N.H., is confident that his computer science degree from UNH has prepared him to solve complex problems and has given him a strong foundation of knowledge.  

What would you tell prospective students who are considering UNH?    “I had a great experience with the CS faculty – they made the education solid.   The InterOperability Lab was a nice experience.  It provided a good intro to the technological world - a better understanding of computers as a whole. Computer Science is incredible because you are able to make the application people use every day.”                                    

This January Fransway will work with Project 54 and is planning to attend the UNH Computer Science Graduate program.