Reimann worked on computer imaging research from 1986-1996 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit to improve image quality and, in turn, to improve medical imaging analysis and diagnoses of disease.
The collaborative, interdisciplinary research focused on computer analysis of images in understanding underlying physiological conditions, according to Reimann. This application of computer technology also assists in general diagnosis of patients and, for example, in tumor detection.
Reimann said that he has also worked with parallel computing methods, which use [many] computers at once to solve problems faster. He referred to an image of a monkey jaw which would take several hours on one computer to create but may possibly be created in under one hour with the use of [several] computers.
Reimann said that he learned more about biology while working at Henry Ford Hospital but found the engineering aspect of his research to be more interesting.
Robert Messer, associate professor and chair of mathematics, agreed that computer graphics is a very interesting, attractive area of computer science. Messer said that Reimann's computer graphics expertise and experience with combining math and other liberal arts fields make him an important addition to the department.
Matthew Huber, Rochester Hills junior, has taken Reimann's Mathematics 354 (Computer Organization and Systems) class and is currently in his Mathematics 356 (Programming Languages) course. Huber, a self-designed computer science major, said that he thinks Reimann brings a lot of great ideas to the computer science program.
Huber said he completed a research project on virtual reality for his Computer Organization and Systems class.
"Whenever you learn something new in computer science, that information opens up nine more doors to explore," commented Huber.
"Being in academia allows you the freedom to investigate things in a different way than in the environment I was in before," said Reimann. "Switching from research to teaching through the course of 1996 was a good change of pace."
Reimann said that he hopes to embellish upon Albion's computer science program by upgrading the existing lab and probably offering additional courses in computer science.
"We're looking forward to having him develop a full-fledged program in computer science," Messer said.
Reimann submitted a proposal on Nov. 15 to the National Science Foundation for a grant that would help provide "state-of-the-art" facilities for computer science. He said he hopes to create an independent laboratory space that could be maintained and controlled by the computer science program.
One of Reimann's goals is to attract more students to Albion's computer science program because both Hope College and Dennison College are very competitive in the area.
Reimann said that he believes Albion's liberal arts philosophy is important and beneficial when searching for a job.
"Industry is looking at interdisciplinary skills," he said. "Liberal arts may see a resurgence because of these things where interdisciplinary involvement is so important."
Reimann received his B.S. in mathematics in 1986 from the University of Toledo, his M.A. in mathematics in 1990 from Wayne State University, and is currently finishing work on his Ph.D. in computer science at Wayne State University.
He has lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., Madison, Wis., Davis, Calif., and Toledo, Ohio. He most recently lived in Detroit and is now very pleased with the town, students, and faculty of Albion. Reimann said that he particularly enjoys being out of the big city and being able to drive five minutes and be out in the country.
Currently, Reimann teaches Programming Languages, Mathematics 251 (Introduction to Computer Science I), and Mathematics 151 (Survey of Computing). Reimann said he plans to work on some research projects at Henry Ford Hospital this summer, but at a more leisurely pace than in the past.
Reimann is married and has three daughters ‹ one of whom has already attained some celebrity status by having her picture on the front of the Pleiad 's Halloween issue.
Reimann's office seems to express both his professional and family commitments. A glance at his bookshelf reveals an abandoned keyboard and books on one shelf, a small bucket of colored markers to the side, and a bright stack of plastic rings on another shelf.
"You get more out of life by being able to appreciate a wide variety of things," Reimann said. Judging by his office, it seems as though he has reached this goal.