Shoudong Huang is a Professor at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering , University of Technology Sydney, and Deputy Director of the UTS Robotics Institute. His research focuses on mobile robot navigation , SLAM , nonlinear state estimation , and surgical robotics . He has published over 200 papers and is recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Scholars in Robotics (Aminer, 2018). PhD in Automatic Control, Northeastern University (China) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Hong Kong (1998-2000) Research Fellow, Australian National University (2001-2003) Full-time academic roles at UTS since 2004 His work addresses challenges in robot localization across extreme environments (underwater, underground mining, surgical settings) and develops globally optimal SLAM algorithms with guaranteed performance. He has secured over $4 million AUD in external funding, including ARC Discovery grants and industry partnerships. Recent publications emphasize cross-modal calibration (camera-LiDAR), interval analysis for bounded noise , and template-based deformable surface reconstruction . These span applications in autonomous driving, surgical navigation, and UAV guidance. Chancellor’s Medal for Research Excellence (2020) Supervisor of the Year (2023) Best Paper Award (2016 ICARCV) Huang serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Robotics and International Journal of Robotics Research , and has held leadership roles in top robotics conferences like IROS and RSS. His collaborations span MIT, USC, Zhejiang University, and industry partners including PMSW Research Pty Ltd and Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd.
Craig Jin is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, leading the CARlab (Computing and Audio Research Laboratory) and Spatial Audio Research initiatives within the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a BS from Stanford University, an MS from Caltech, and a PhD from the University of Sydney. His work focuses on immersive audio technologies, biomedical signal processing, and assistive technologies for sensory augmentation. Research interests include spatial audio reproduction, binaural processing, acoustic sensing for accessibility, and machine learning applications in signal processing. Key contributions span HRTF interpolation, noise reduction algorithms, and acoustic touch systems for the visually impaired. Recent projects include real-time MRI analysis of vocal tract dynamics and sparse recovery techniques for sound field reconstruction. His publications span over 150 peer-reviewed articles in journals like IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing, and conferences such as ICASSP. He advises four current PhD/Master’s students on projects like predictive gesture tracking, voice disorder classification, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques.
Roberto Togneri is a Professor and Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia's School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. He has been affiliated with the university since 1988, following his PhD in 1989. His research focuses on signal processing, speech recognition, machine learning, and biometrics, with notable contributions to audio-visual recognition systems and fraud detection. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering (University of Western Australia, 1989). Research interests include feature extraction for audio signals, neural network models for speech and speaker recognition, and applications of machine learning to fraud prevention. His work has been recognized with awards such as the Education Innovation Award (ICASSP 2019) and grants from the Australian Research Council (e.g., DP110103336 for a 3D Audio-Visual Speech Recognition System). Key projects include developing robust speech recognition systems in adverse environments and advancing graph-based fraudster group detection using spatio-temporal data. He has also contributed to editorial roles in IEEE Signal Processing Magazine and authored over 214 research outputs. Funding highlights include $279,000 for a 3D audio-visual speech recognition system (2011–2013) and $230,000 for robust speech recognition in hostile environments (2010–2012). His research aligns with UN SDGs related to innovation and infrastructure.
Professor Gary Edmond is a law professor at the University of New South Wales School of Law, directing the Program in Expertise, Evidence and Law. Holding a BA(Hons) from the University of Wollongong, LLB(Hons) from the University of Sydney, and PhD from the University of Cambridge, he bridges legal scholarship with forensic science expertise through extensive research grants and international collaborations. Education: BA(Hons), LLB(Hons), PhD Institutions: University of New South Wales, Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences His research focuses on the intersection of law and forensic science, examining expert evidence reliability, forensic reporting practices, and the adversarial legal system's limitations. With over $1.4 million in research funding since 2007, he leads interdisciplinary projects involving policing agencies and forensic institutions across Australia and international partners. Recent publications analyze judicial handling of expert evidence, cognitive biases in courtroom identification, and forensic science reform. His work has shaped evidence law understanding through the 6th edition of 'Australian Evidence: A principled approach to the common law and the uniform acts' and advisory roles in high-profile inquiries like the Goudge Inquiry. Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales As Chair of the Evidence-based forensics initiative and member of Standards Australia’s forensic science committee, he continues to influence policy while teaching core legal subjects including Courts, Procedure, Evidence and Proof, and Introducing Law and Justice.
Dr. Bo Liu is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he serves as a core member and director of the AI Security and Privacy (AISP) Research Lab at the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII). With expertise spanning cybersecurity, privacy protection, AI and machine learning, and wireless communications, Dr. Liu has established himself as a leading researcher in the field of AI security and privacy. Dr. Liu earned his PhD from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2010. His academic journey at UTS has progressed from Senior Lecturer (November 2019-December 2022) to his current position as Associate Professor (January 2023-present). Dr. Liu's research focuses on the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and security, particularly addressing emerging threats in the age of advanced AI systems. His work spans multiple dimensions of security and privacy, including deepfake detection, privacy-preserving data synthesis, AI model security, and fair machine learning. He has pioneered approaches to detect AI-generated content, protect visual privacy through de-identification techniques, and address the complex relationship between algorithmic fairness and privacy preservation. His publication record demonstrates significant contributions across multiple cutting-edge research areas, with particular emphasis on detecting and mitigating threats from generative AI systems. His recent work reveals a strong focus on deepfake detection across multiple modalities (images, video, and audio), privacy-preserving techniques for sensitive data, and the security implications of emerging AI architectures like Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems. Dr. Liu has secured substantial research funding, including as Lead Chief Investigator on multiple ARC Discovery and Linkage Projects, totaling over $3.5 million AUD. His industry collaborations include partnerships with the NSW Department of Planning and the Reserve Bank of Australia, demonstrating the practical applicability of his research. As an academic leader, Dr. Liu serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting and actively contributes to the academic community through conference organization, peer review for top-tier venues, and assessment for ARC grant schemes. He also teaches courses including Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking and Offensive Security, and supervises Masters and PhD students in cybersecurity and privacy research.
Dr. Jiang Qian is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Houston, a Master’s in Finance from Johns Hopkins University, and an undergraduate double major in Information Systems and Finance from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. His research focuses on leveraging quantitative models and machine learning techniques to extract insights from large-scale data in marketing and healthcare contexts, particularly in social media, online search, and healthcare markets. Current research supervision includes Jennifer Ye’s project on Audio Data Analytics: A New Dimension in Customer Service Excellence . Dr. Qian’s recent work spans AI applications in breast cancer detection, medical imaging analysis, and reinforcement learning for autonomous systems. His studies address challenges like AI model calibration, training data quality, and radiologist-AI collaboration in clinical settings. Notable contributions include analyzing video cover image impacts on advertisement engagement and exploring multiresolution techniques for medical imaging segmentation. His interdisciplinary approach bridges marketing analytics and healthcare technology, emphasizing practical clinical translation of AI systems.
Professor David Taubman is a distinguished academic serving as Professor and Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications (EE&T) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. He is also co-director of Kakadu Software Pty. Ltd. and its affiliates Kakadu R&D and Kakadu GPU. With a career spanning over three decades, Professor Taubman has made significant contributions to the field of image and video compression, most notably as the author of the EBCOT coding algorithm adopted in the JPEG2000 international standard. Professor Taubman earned his B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science (1986) and B.E. (Medal) in Electrical Engineering (1988) from the University of Sydney, followed by an M.Sc. (1992) and Ph.D. (1994) in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. His professional journey includes engineering work at the Electricity Commission of N.S.W. (1988-1990), research positions at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Palo Alto (1994-1998), and an academic career at UNSW where he progressed from Senior Lecturer (1998-2003) to Associate Professor (2004-2009) and finally to Professor (2009-present). He has held various leadership roles including Head of the EE&T Telecommunications Research Group (2003-2014), Head of the EE&T Signal Processing Research Group (2014-present), Director of Research for the School of EE&T (2011-2016), and Deputy Head of School (Research) since 2017. Professor Taubman's research interests center on image and video compression, with particular expertise in JPEG2000 standards and implementations. His work spans signal processing, wavelet transforms, scalable video coding, motion modeling, and multimedia systems. He has pioneered numerous compression algorithms and frameworks, including the EBCOT coding algorithm that became central to the JPEG2000 standard. His recent research focuses on efficient motion modeling with cuboidal partitioning, learned lifting-based transform structures, and high-throughput implementations of JPEG2000 for video applications. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, as evidenced by the commercially successful Kakadu Software tools that have garnered around 500 commercial licensees. Analysis of Professor Taubman's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on advancing compression technologies with particular emphasis on scalability, efficiency, and adaptability. His work spans traditional image compression (JPEG2000 extensions), video coding (cuboid-based partitioning for UHD/360-degree video), and emerging applications (nanopore sequencing data compression). A notable trend is the integration of machine learning techniques with traditional compression frameworks, as seen in his work on learned lifting-based transform structures. His research maintains strong connections to real-world applications across diverse domains including medical imaging, astronomical data processing, and genomic sequencing. IEEE Fellow Engineers Australia Fellow (by invitation) Professor Taubman has served as Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Image Processing for two four-year appointments (2003-2005 and 2010-2013). He has been actively involved in numerous research grants focused on image and video compression technologies, particularly those related to the JPEG2000 standard and its extensions. His work has received significant industry support, reflected in his consultancy with various U.S., Japanese, and Australian corporations. He has also contributed to international standards development as a member of Standards Australia Technical Committee MS-065 (mirroring ISO TC42 on Digital Photography) and as a constitutional member of Standards Australia Technical Committee IT-029 (Coded Representation of Picture, Audio and Multimedia/Hypermedia Information). Professor Taubman co-directs Kakadu Software Pty. Ltd. and its research affiliates Kakadu R&D and Kakadu GPU, which have developed the commercially successful Kakadu Software tools for JPEG2000. His research group at UNSW focuses on advanced image and video compression techniques, with particular expertise in wavelet-based methods, scalable coding, and motion modeling. The group maintains strong industry connections and has contributed significantly to the development and standardization of image compression technologies worldwide.
Dr. Sam Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a multidisciplinary background in music performance, cognitive science, and psycho-acoustics. His research explores the intersection of sound, music, and human experience through creative coding, machine learning, and interactive systems. Key Research Areas: Sound and Music Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Creative Coding, Cognitive Science, Installation Art, and Acoustics. Current Projects: ARC Linkage project on creative coding and multiplicitous media; industry collaborations on IoT-based audiovisual systems. Recent Publications: Focus on spatial audio complexity, gestural interaction with networked sound, music emotion recognition frameworks, and robotic performance through genre-based cultural platforms. Leadership Roles: Director of Teaching & Learning Engagement; former Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning); active in ACM Creativity and Cognition Steering Committee. Teaching: Courses like Digital Media Studio , Prototyping Physical Interaction , and Data Processing using R within UTS's interdisciplinary Software Development Studio.
Associate Professor Sonny Pham leads research in artificial intelligence at Curtin University's School of EECMS. His work balances theoretical foundations with practical applications in computer vision, data mining, and deep learning. As head of the IAMAI research group, he collaborates with industry partners on security systems, healthcare AI, and sustainable technologies. His research explores: Computationally efficient deep learning architectures Compressed sensing for high-dimensional data Robust statistical methods for real-world problems Applications in computer vision and industrial automation Recent publications demonstrate a focus on medical imaging interpretation and efficient neural networks, with applications spanning radiology report generation, semantic segmentation for autonomous systems, and cybersecurity. His team's work consistently bridges theoretical AI advancements with industrial applications. Honors include: Multiple WANMA Awards (2021-2024) for industry-impactful research INCITE Award for social impact technology (2024) IEEE Young Author Best Paper Award (2010) Over $5M in competitive research funding including MRFF and DFAT grants He leads the IAMAI research group with 12+ graduate students and coordinates Curtin's Master of Artificial Intelligence program. Industry collaborations include Alcoa Australia, iCetana, and HyprFire.
Abhinav Dhall is an Associate Professor in the Department of Data Science & AI at Monash University. His research focuses on computer vision, affective computing, and human-centered AI, with a particular emphasis on deepfake detection, multimodal analysis, and ethical AI applications. He is actively involved in organizing workshops like the Multimodal and Responsible Affective Computing (MRAC) and chairs conferences such as ACCV. Dhall accepts PhD students and has contributed significantly to datasets like AV-Deepfake1M and EmotiW challenges. His work spans topics including HDR imaging, facial expression recognition, and AI ethics in multimedia systems.
Professor Dinh Phung is the Head of the Department of Data Science & AI at Monash University. His research focuses on machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, and robust AI systems. He has authored over 250 publications, with applications in NLP, computer vision, digital health, and cybersecurity. Phung holds a PhD and BSc(Hons) in Computer Science from Curtin University. He leads major projects like 'Can Machines Unlearn?' and 'Trustworthy Generative AI', funded by the Australian Research Council and the Department of Defence. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Computer Science, Curtin University (2005) Bachelor of Science (Honours), Computer Science, Curtin University (2001) Research Interests: Machine learning, deep learning, and generative models Optimal transport and Bayesian methods Robust and trustworthy AI Applications in digital health, cybersecurity, and autism research Key Projects (2023–2029): Can Machines Unlearn? (2025–2029): Safety in AI Trustworthy Generative AI (2024–2026): Foundation models Robust Machine Learning via Optimal Transport (2023–2025) Awards and Grants: Australian Research Council grants for AI safety and robustness Department of Defence funding for robust learning systems Collaborations: Global partnerships in AI ethics, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Active advisory roles, including with the Victorian Parliamentary Library.
Professor JC Ji is a distinguished academic at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he was promoted to Professor on January 3, 2025, after serving as an Associate Professor since January 1, 2016. He serves as the Theme Research Director at the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration (CAAV) at UTS and is an active member of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. Professor Ji holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Australia and a Graduate Certificate from UTS, along with CPEng NER certification from Engineers Australia since 2018. Professor Ji's research spans multiple interdisciplinary areas with significant practical applications. His primary research interests include Dynamics, Vibration and Vibration Control (focusing on wind turbine dynamics, rotor-bearing systems, and vibration isolation); Machine Condition Monitoring and Asset Management (specializing in fault diagnostics, prognostics, and digital twin-based modeling); Renewable Energy and Sustainability (particularly in vibration-based energy harvesting and battery circular economy); Mechanical and Vehicle Systems; Robotic and Multi-Agent Systems; and Ecological Systems. His work demonstrates a strong integration of theoretical foundations with practical engineering solutions for real-world problems. Analysis of Professor Ji's recent publications reveals a clear research trajectory focused on advanced vibration control systems, condition monitoring techniques, and digital twin applications. His work increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional mechanical engineering approaches, particularly in bearing and gear health management. A significant portion of his recent research focuses on quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolators using innovative structural designs including origami-inspired mechanisms. His publications show strong international impact with numerous high-citation articles in top mechanical engineering journals. Stanford University's World's Top 2% Scientists List for both career-long impact and single-calendar year impact in 2023 and 2024 CPEng NER Chartered Engineers certification from Engineers Australia (2018-present) Professor Ji actively supervises research students and has secured substantial funding for his work, including multiple ARC Discovery and Linkage Projects. He serves as an Associate Editor for Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing (Q1 journal), Journal of Vibration and Control (Q2 journal), and International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos (Q2 journal). He is also an active assessor for ARC grant applications since 2007 and for international funding bodies including Hong Kong RGC, Belgium FNRS, and New Zealand MBIE. His industry collaborations include projects with Zip Heaters, Alstom Transport, and Coal Services Health and Safety Trust. As Theme Research Director at the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration (CAAV) at UTS, Professor Ji leads a research team focused on advancing vibration control technologies and their applications. His laboratory work includes developing innovative vibration isolators, condition monitoring systems for industrial machinery, and energy harvesting technologies. The research group maintains strong connections with industry partners to ensure practical implementation of their theoretical advancements.
Iti Chaturvedi is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology at James Cook University (JCU). She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on signal processing and AI applications in social media, including emotion recognition, speech analysis, and sentiment analysis. She has been recognized as a Top 2% Most Cited Researcher globally (2022) and received the JCU CSE Early Career Researcher Award (2020). She teaches courses such as Machine Learning and Data Science, Programming III, and Design Thinking I. Current research projects include sentiment prediction from social media (since 2020). She serves as an Associate Editor for the Expert Systems journal (2023) and has been an ARC Assessor (2020). Key contributions include work on speech emotion recognition, constrained manifold learning for videos, and multimodal emotion recognition systems. Her research outputs span journals like Expert Systems , Signal Processing , and conferences including IJCNN and AAAI.
Dr. Lizhen Qu is a Lecturer at Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology, part of the AIM Lab. His research focuses on robust and privacy-preserving neuro-symbolic methods for NLP and multimodal applications, including causal reasoning in dialogue systems, legal AI, digital health, and social NLP. Previously, he worked at Data61/CSIRO and completed his PhD at Saarland University and the Max-Planck-Institute for Informatics. Education: PhD in Computer Science from Saarland University and Max-Planck-Institute for Informatics. Research interests include integrating deep learning with logical reasoning, causal discovery, and ethical AI applications. He leads projects like TMLGenAI (Trusted Generative AI) and HARNESS (Neuro-Symbolic Systems), addressing model robustness and societal impact. Projects: TMLGenAI (2024–2026), HARNESS (2023–2027), and Accessible Data Exploration for Blind People (2023–2027) Contributions: Developed benchmarks like LazyReview and ACCESS, and co-organized ACL and IJCNLP workshops Research trends span causal discovery in NLP, federated learning for legal systems (e.g., FedLegal), and multimodal security. His work aligns with UN SDGs for innovation and health.
Associate Professor Darrin Verhagen is an award-winning sound designer and composer at RMIT University's School of Design, where he teaches in the Sound Design specialization within the Digital Media Program and directs the Audiokinetic Experiments (AkE) Lab. His academic work bridges creative practice with scientific inquiry into multisensory perception. Verhagen's research centers on the neurobiology of aesthetic experience, particularly exploring how sound interacts with vision, movement, and vibration. His work in the AkE Lab utilizes motion simulators, 4D cinema seating, and light to create installations that investigate the relationship between hearing, vision, movement and vibration. His academic background includes postgraduate research on musical extremes - lowercase sound for his Masters and Noise for his Doctorate. His creative output spans sound design for contemporary dance, theatre, installation, film, television and computer games. Verhagen has released over 20 albums internationally and performs audiovisual live shows globally. He was founder and curator of Dorobo records, which showcased Australian sound art for 15 years. Industry collaborations include work with Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse, Chunky Move, Australian Dance Theatre, and others. Notable awards include multiple Green Room Awards for Sound Design, Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts award finalist status, APRA Art Music awards finalist for experimental music, RMIT Research Award for technical innovation, and RMIT Teaching Award for excellence in teaching practice. Verhagen's supervision projects reveal a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated explorations of sound in relation to space, perception, and human experience, with recent work focusing on transdisciplinary design, spatial sound applications, distributed audio systems, and vocal ecology. His work consistently bridges artistic practice with technological innovation and scientific inquiry into perceptual phenomena.
