معرفی
Dr. Chris Town is an Affiliated Lecturer and Research Fellow in the Department of Computer Science & Technology at the University of Cambridge. He serves as a Fellow and Director of Studies in Computer Science at Wolfson College, where he also acts as a Tutor and coordinates the postgraduate mentoring scheme. Additionally, he holds a position as Bye Fellow and Director of Studies in Computer Science at Jesus College. His academic journey includes completing a PhD at Cambridge Computer Laboratory under Professor John Daugman OBE, with prior undergraduate studies at Trinity College, Cambridge.
- PhD in Computer Science, University of Cambridge (Computer Laboratory)
- Undergraduate degree with first class honours in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge (Trinity College)
Dr. Town's research spans the intersection of computer vision, information retrieval, machine learning, and language processing. He pioneered the ontology-based approach to automated visual information processing alongside Dr. David Sinclair. His work demonstrates how ontologies representing task-specific attributes can narrow the semantic gap between human and computer interpretations of visual content. His research extends to pattern matching algorithms for biological sciences, including developing tools used in ecology and zoology such as Manta Matcher and Nature Pattern Match. His work has significant applications in image retrieval, automated visual surveillance, and visually mediated human-computer interaction.
His publications reveal a strong focus on applying computer vision techniques to biological pattern recognition, particularly in marine wildlife identification, egg pattern analysis, and medical imaging. The articles show consistent development of methods for species identification, pattern analysis, and image recognition across diverse domains from deep-sea corals to medical diagnostics.
- BCS Distinguished Dissertation Award (2005)
- Trinity College Rouse Ball Scholarship
- Industrial Fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
- JRF at Wolfson College
- Runner-up prize for best cognitive vision paper (2003)
- Best Student Paper Award at ICPRS 2022
Dr. Town has supervised over 50 final-year undergraduate, Masters, and Diploma students for their projects and dissertations, as well as co-supervising PhD students. His supervision spans diverse topics including deep learning features, shell recognition, marine wildlife identification, and fossil recognition. He has developed relationships with organizations such as Imense Ltd (where he serves as Chief Technology Officer), the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna, and ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library. His research has been supported by fellowships from AT&T Labs Research, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, and various scholarships from Trinity College.
Dr. Town leads the PhD Mentoring Scheme at Wolfson College and has developed tools like Manta Matcher that are used by the academic community for marine wildlife identification. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, particularly in biological pattern recognition and medical imaging.
