Hector Santos-Villalobos

Hector Santos-Villalobos is an Assistant Professor in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on advanced imaging systems, biometric recognition, seismic analysis, and nondestructive evaluation techniques. He holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University (2010), and MS/BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (2005/2003).

Education:

• PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University (2005–2010)
• MS, Computer Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (2003–2005)
• BS, Computer Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (1998–2003)

Research interests span computer vision applications in biometric systems (e.g., iris recognition, facial screening), seismic imaging for geothermal energy projects (EGS Collab), and ultrasound-based nondestructive evaluation of materials. His work emphasizes privacy-preserving algorithms, iterative reconstruction techniques, and multimodal data fusion. Notable projects include developing the BRIAR dataset for long-distance facial recognition and creating handheld multi-sensor biometric devices.

Publications highlight trends in:

• Biometric security (privacy-preserving facial screening, bias-mitigated face ID)
• Ultrasound imaging for concrete defect detection
• Geothermal energy exploration via seismic tomography
• Deep learning applications in seismic phase picking and image reconstruction

Grants and collaborations involve geothermal energy initiatives (e.g., EGS Collab), Department of Energy projects, and National Science Foundation funding. His work bridges computational methods with practical engineering challenges in imaging and material analysis.