NCA-UFMA Applied Computing Group - Bridging Academic Research and Industrial Applications

Abstract:

This lecture presents the Applied Computing Group (NCA-UFMA), a research unit at the Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil, focused on developing computational solutions for social, industrial, and economic development. The research group emphasizes high-level human resource training and technology-based entrepreneurship. NCA operates across seven key research areas: Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Virtual & Augmented Reality, Computer Vision & Medical Image Processing, Human-Computer Interfaces, Natural Language Processing, Software Engineering, and Logistics & Optimization. The lecture showcases NCA’s industry collaboration portfolio featuring projects across energy, oil and gas, public sector, and medical applications. Key partnerships include ALUMAR (ALCOA), CHESF/ANEEL, Equatorial Energy, and Petrobras, which have produced innovative solutions such as AutoLeitura/Autoclara for automated meter reading using computer vision, SIJURI for customer satisfaction prediction, and the Rock Similarity Search System. In the public sector, NCA has developed data science-based audit systems for the Maranhão State Court of Accounts, artificial intelligence-based systems to support Public Prosecutor’s Office investigations, and geographic information systems for municipal and state governments. Additionally, it has conducted extensive research in medical image processing with applications spanning cancer detection (breast, lung, prostate, and skin), pulmonary disease diagnosis, ophthalmological analysis (including glaucoma detection), and advanced organ segmentation techniques, demonstrating the center’s capability to address challenges across multiple industries and healthcare sectors. The center’s technological innovations include industrial inspection systems, ergonomic analysis tools, cultural heritage preservation through motion capture, and natural language processing for automated medical reporting. This presentation shows NCA-UFMA university-industry collaboration, bridging academic research with practical applications.

About Anselmo:

Professor Anselmo Cardoso de Paiva is a full professor at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and a CNPq Productivity in Research Fellow (Level 2). His academic journey began with a degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of Maranhão (1990), followed by a Master’s in Civil Engineering and a PhD in Computer Science, both from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio, 1993 and 2001, respectively). He works as the head of the Applied Computing Group (NCA-UFMA) and the joint UFMA/UFPI PhD program in Computer Science. Where he works coordinating R&D projects with the industry, bridging academic innovation with practical applications with cooperations with companies like Petrobras, Eletrobras, Alcoa and Others . He is a member of the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). His research is highly focused on Graphics and Image Processing. In Medical Image Processing, he develops computational methods for detecting, diagnosing, and analyzing various pathologies, including cancer (breast, lung, gastrointestinal), and ophthalmological, often involving deep learning, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. His work in Virtual and Augmented Reality encompasses creating applications for training in industrial and medical settings, electrical system operators training, as well as applications for theater and dance performances, with projects including childbirth simulations, volumetric data visualization, and immersive artistic experiences. His research also extends to Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning, leading to solutions for analyzing text, with applications ranging from automated medical reports to governmental data analysis.