معرفی
Derek Anderson is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Missouri, within the College of Engineering. He is a core faculty member of the MU Institute for Data Science & Informatics and leads the Mizzou INformation and Data FUsion Laboratory (MINDFUL). His research spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, information fusion, computer vision, and remote sensing, with applications in defense, healthcare, and humanitarian technology.
Education:
- PhD, University of Missouri
- MS, University of Missouri
- BS, Wichita State University
Anderson's research focuses on foundational AI challenges, particularly explainable AI (XAI) and the use of simulated data to train robust models under uncertainty. He investigates how AI systems make decisions and how to communicate those decisions clearly to humans, especially in high-stakes environments like medical imaging and autonomous vehicles. His work leverages tools like Unreal Engine and Infinite Studio to generate photorealistic and multispectral synthetic data, enabling broader and more diverse training sets than real-world data alone can provide.
His recent publications and projects highlight trends in generative AI limitations, AI ethics, infrared sensor innovation, and AI for humanitarian demining. These works collectively emphasize transparency, robustness, and societal benefit in AI development.
Scientific Awards and Leadership:
- Program Co-Chair, three national AI conferences (2023)
- Member, IEEE USA AI Committee
- Member, IEEE CIS Industry & Government (I&GA) Committee
- Member, IEEE Vertical on Societal Implications of AI
Anderson is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of AI scientists. He advises undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, many of whom engage in hands-on research from their first year. His lab has secured approximately $29 million in funding across 25 projects from agencies like the U.S. Army ERDC and the National Science Foundation. He has published over 190 articles and is a sought-after leader in the AI research community.
His lab, MINDFUL, focuses on information fusion and AI under uncertainty, with active projects in drone-based sensing, material design, and geospatial analytics. The team uses simulation as a core methodology to advance AI trustworthiness and performance across diverse domains.
