Michael Sama
Professor, Gatton Foundation Distinguished Professor, Director of Graduate Studies
Professional Biography
Research Interests
- Precision Agriculture
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- In Situ and Remote Sensing
- Embedded Control
Scholars@UK
PRESSURE DYNAMICS OF A SPRAY NOZZLE UNDER PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION CONTROL
Pokharel, P., Power, K. S. & Sama, M. P., 2025, In: Journal of the ASABE. 68, 4, p. 619-632 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Optimizing matrix barcode ground control points for automated location detection in UAS-based remote sensing
Ladino, K. S. & Sama, M. P., Oct 2025, In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 237, 110717.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Valorization of bourbon stillage through production of tunable pure mycelium materials
Roy, K. R., Byrd, Z., Sama, M. P. & Barzee, T. J., Jun 4 2025, In: Fungal Biology and Biotechnology. 12, 1, p. 10Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
SHORT-TERM PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF REAL-TIME KINEMATIC GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM RECEIVERS IN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Ladino, K. S. & Sama, M. P., 2024, In: Journal of the ASABE. 67, 6, p. 1433-1446 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Automating Ground Control Point Detection in UAS Imagery Using Matrix Barcodes
Ladino, K. S. & Sama, M. P., 2024, Autonomous Air and Ground Sensing Systems for Agricultural Optimization and Phenotyping IX. Thomasson, J. A. & Bauer, C. (eds.). 130530A. (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; vol. 13053).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
A METHOD FOR EVALUATING GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM POSITION ACCURACY IN SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Ladino, K. S. & Sama, M. P., 2024, In: Journal of the ASABE. 67, 2, p. 385-399 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
IMPACTS OF AQUATIC VEGETATION DYNAMICS ON NITRATE REMOVAL IN KARST AGRICULTURAL STREAMS: INSIGHTS FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND IN SITU SENSING
Agioutanti, R., Ford, W. I., Sama, M. P. & McGill, T., 2024, In: Journal of the ASABE. 67, 2, p. 89-104 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
PREDICTOR SELECTION AND MACHINE LEARNING REGRESSION METHODS TO PREDICT SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY FROM A LARGE PUBLIC SOIL DATABASE
Adjuik, T. A., Nokes, S. E., Montross, M. D., Sama, M. P. & Wendroth, O., 2023, In: Journal of the ASABE. 66, 2, p. 285-296 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
THE EFFECT OF NOZZLE BODY VOLUME ON PRESSURE DYNAMICS IN A PWM SPRAYER SYSTEM
Pokharel, P. & Sama, M. P., 2022, In: Journal of the ASABE. 65, 6, p. 1355-1363 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Shallow Katabatic Flow in a Complex Valley: An Observational Case Study Leveraging Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Bailey, S. C. C., Smith, S. W., Sama, M. P., Al-Ghussain, L. & Boer, G. D., Feb 2023, In: Boundary-Layer Meteorology. 186, 2, p. 399-422 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
EVALUATING TWO LOW-COST GPS RECEIVERS FOR ACCURACY AND EVENTUAL USE IN PASTURED CATTLE RESEARCH
Abdulai, G. A., Sama, M. P. & Jackson, J. J., 2022, In: Journal of the ASABE. 65, 3, p. 567-572 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING SYSTEM TO ASSESS THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF BAGGED GRAIN IN STORAGE
Omodara, M. A., Montross, M. D., McNeill, S. G., Sama, M. P. & Carr, D. E., 2022, In: Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 38, 2, p. 387-394 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Development and Calibration of Pressure-Temperature-Humidity (PTH) Probes for Distributed Atmospheric Monitoring Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Ladino, K. S., Sama, M. P. & Stanton, V. L., May 1 2022, In: Sensors. 22, 9, 3261.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Unmanned aircraft get together: The lapse-rate campaign
de Boer, G., Diehl, C., Jacob, J., Houston, A., Smith, S. W., Chilson, P., Schmale, D. G., Intrieri, J., Pinto, J., Elston, J., Brus, D., Kemppinen, O., Clark, A., Lawrence, D., Bailey, S. C. C., Sama, M. P., Frazier, A., Crick, C., Natalie, V. & Pillar-Little, E. & 15 others, , Jul 2020, In: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 101, 7, p. 590-595 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impact of delayed harvest on corn yield and harvest losses
Turner, A. P., Jackson, J. J., Sama, M. P. & Montross, M. D., 2021, In: Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 37, 4, p. 595-604 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A preliminary study of the physiological and behavioral response of beef cattle to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Abdulai, G., Sama, M. & Jackson, J., Aug 2021, In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 241, 105355.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detecting recent crop phenology dynamics in corn and soybean cropping systems of Kentucky
Yang, Y., Tao, B., Liang, L., Huang, Y., Matocha, C., Lee, C. D., Sama, M., El Masri, B. & Ren, W., May 1 2021, In: Remote Sensing. 13, 9, 1615.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effects of a moderate transition from 70% to 90% concentrate diet on early alterations in feeding behavior, rumen environment, reticulorumen motility, and blood acid–base status in beef heifers
Egert-McLean, A. M., Sama, M. P., Klotz, J. L., McLeod, K. R., Kristensen, N. B. & Harmon, D. L., 2021, In: Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 101, 1, p. 85-95 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Predicting quality and yield of growing alfalfa from a uav
Dvorak, J. S., Pampolini, L. F., Jackson, J. J., Seyyedhasani, H., Sama, M. P. & Goff, B., 2021, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 64, 1, p. 63-72 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Data generated during the 2018 LAPSE-RATE campaign: An introduction and overview
De Boer, G., Houston, A., Jacob, J., Chilson, P. B., Smith, S. W., Argrow, B., Lawrence, D., Elston, J., Brus, D., Kemppinen, O., Klein, P., Lundquist, J. K., Waugh, S., Bailey, S. C. C., Frazier, A., Sama, M. P., Crick, C., Schmale, D., Pinto, J. & Pillar-Little, E. A. & 2 others, , Dec 11 2020, In: Earth System Science Data. 12, 4, p. 3357-3366 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
PILOT SCOPE - Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention - PILOT PROJECTS Non-Invasive Monitoring of Cattle Kinematics and Behavior Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Ladino, K. (PI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
9/30/25 → 9/29/26
Project: Research project
Interdisciplinary Process-Based Approach To Identify Nitrogen Limitations and Increase Soybean Yield and Meal Protein
Salmeron Cortasa, M. (PI), Haramoto, E. (CoI), Poffenbarger, H. (CoI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
10/1/24 → 9/30/26
Project: Research project
Precision Livestock Management: Cattle Monitoring and Herding Using Cooperative Drones
Hoagg, J. (PI), Jackson, J. (CoI), Mark, T. (CoI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
7/1/24 → 6/30/29
Project: Research project
Precision Livestock Management: Cattle Monitoring and Herding Using Cooperative Drones
Sama, M. (PI), Arnold, L. (CoI), Hoagg, J. (CoI), Mark, T. (CoI) & Jackson, J. (Former CoI)
7/1/24 → 6/30/29
Project: Research project
Interdisciplinary and Process-based Approach to Identify Nitrogen Limitations and Increase Soybean Yield and Meal Protein
Salmeron Cortasa, M. (PI), Haramoto, E. (CoI), Poffenbarger, H. (CoI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
10/1/23 → 9/30/24
Project: Research project
Supplement: Graduate students: Mid-scale RI-1 (M1:IP) EduceLab - Infrastructure for Next-Generation Heritage Science
Seales, W. (PI), Bailey, S. (CoI), Baker, C. (CoI), Balk, J. (CoI), Crothers, G. (CoI), Griffioen, J. (CoI), Reyes-Centeno, H. (CoI), Sama, M. (CoI), Sesma, E. (CoI) & Smith, S. (Former CoI)
10/1/21 → 9/30/26
Project: Research project
Supplement: Equipment: Mid-scale RI-1 (M1:IP) EduceLab - Infrastructure for Next-Generation Heritage Science
Seales, W. (PI), Bailey, S. (CoI), Baker, C. (CoI), Balk, J. (CoI), Crothers, G. (CoI), Griffioen, J. (CoI), Reyes-Centeno, H. (CoI), Sama, M. (CoI), Sesma, E. (CoI) & Smith, S. (Former CoI)
10/1/21 → 9/30/26
Project: Research project
Improving the Spatial and Spectral Calibration of Remote Sensing Imagery from Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Sama, M. (PI), Bailey, S. (CoI) & Lau, D. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
7/1/23 → 6/30/27
Project: Research project
Interdisciplinary and Process-based Approach to Identify Nitrogen Limitations and Increase Soybean Yield and Meal Protein
Salmeron Cortasa, M. (PI), Haramoto, E. (CoI), Poffenbarger, H. (CoI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
10/1/22 → 9/30/23
Project: Research project
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
Sanderson, W. (PI), Ammerman, M. (CoI), Browning, S. (CoI), Christian, J. (CoI), Jones, K. (CoI), Ladino, K. (CoI), McMaine, J. (CoI), McNeill, S. (CoI), Messer, T. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI), Palli, S. (CoI), Russell, M. (CoI), Sama, M. (CoI), Sampson, S. (CoI), Sprayberry, S. (CoI), Williams, R. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI), Mazur, J. (Former CoI) & Vincent, S. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
9/30/22 → 9/29/27
Project: Research project
Evaluation of crop logistics
Montross, M. (PI), Dvorak, J. (CoI) & Sama, M. (CoI)
12/8/15 → 5/30/16
Project: Research project
Scope: DART Instrumentation: CPS: Medium: Data-Driven Adaptive Real-Time (DART) Flow-Field Estimation Using Deployable UAVs
Sama, M. (PI) & Hoagg, J. (CoI)
10/1/19 → 9/30/23
Project: Research project
Precision Livestock Health Management
Sama, M. (PI) & Hoagg, J. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
2/15/18 → 2/14/22
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase VI
Sama, M. (PI), Luck, J. (CoI) & Stombaugh, T. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/10 → 8/31/13
Project: Research project
Subproject 1: Reduced Equipment Set for Multiple Vehicle Guidance
Zandonadi, R. (PI), Sama, M. (CoI) & Stombaugh, T. (CoI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/1/09 → 8/31/12
Project: Research project
Scope: Distributed Sensing of Aerosol Particle Counts Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Sama, M. (PI) & Bailey, S. (CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
9/30/16 → 9/29/22
Project: Research project
Covid 19: Pilot: UK-CARES Rapid Response Mini-Grant: Access to Personal Protective Equipment for a High Risk Appalachia Population using Aerial Drones and Community Health Workers
Feltner, F. (PI), Baker, W. (CoI), Curry, T. (CoI), Hahn, E. (CoI), Rayens, M. K. (CoI), Sama, M. (CoI) & Sanderson, W. (CoI)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
8/24/20 → 3/31/21
Project: Research project
Performance of Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System Receivers on Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Precision Meteorology
Sama, M. (PI) & Martin, A. (CoI)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
8/1/20 → 9/30/21
Project: Research project
Characterization of Real and Simulated Forces on Back Biomechanics to Promote Safety in Horse Racing Jockeys
Tumlin, K. (PI), Sama, M. (CoI) & Sanderson, W. (CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
7/1/14 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
Enabling a Citizen Science Contribution to Meterology Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Sama, M. (PI) & Jackson, J. (CoI)
KY Council on Postsecondary Education
1/1/19 → 7/31/20
Project: Research project
Education
Ph.D., Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2013
M.S., Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2008
B.S., Computer and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2004
