Dominik Schörkhuber is a PreDoc Researcher at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in the Computer Vision department. With a background in Informatics (BSc, Dipl.-Ing.), he focuses on computer vision applications for autonomous driving, robotics, and human-machine interaction. His work spans driver action recognition, pedestrian prediction, and adaptive lighting systems. Current projects: Empathic Vehicle (2024–2026), SyntheticCabin (2021–2025), SmartProtect (2020–2025) Research themes: Video transformers, synthetic data transfer learning, multi-task learning, and sensor-lighting integration Specializes in 3D sensing, nighttime driving analysis, and mobile video creation tools
Zhao Guoying is an Academy Professor at the Academy of Finland and holds a tenured Full Professorship at the University of Oulu, Finland. His research focuses on human behavior understanding, emotion AI, and computer vision. He has held visiting positions at institutions including Stanford University and Aalto University. He earned his PhD (2005) in Computer Science from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His work has led to pioneering contributions in facial expression analysis, micro-expression recognition, and remote physiological signal measurement. Zhao has secured over €19.8 million in research grants as PI, including the prestigious Academy Professor Grant (2021-2026) and Profi-7 Hybrid Intelligence funding. He has supervised 22+ PhD students and 16+ postdocs, many of whom hold academic and industry leadership roles. His awards include IEEE Fellow (2022), IAPR Fellow (2020), and Finland’s Most Publishing AI Researcher (2017). His research interests span machine learning, affective computing, and feature representation. Notable contributions include the first systems for spontaneous micro-expression analysis, novel methods for face anti-spoofing, and remote health monitoring via video. He actively organizes conferences (e.g., Arctic AI Days) and chairs committees such as the Finnish AI Society board.
Alan Bovik is the Cockrell Family Regents Endowed Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering. He also holds positions at The Institute for Neurosciences and serves as Director of the Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE). With a career spanning over three decades at UT Austin, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (1984-1988) to Associate Professor (1988-1994) to his current position as Full Professor (1994-present). Dr. Bovik received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1984 from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Professor Bovik's research focuses on image and video quality assessment, visual perception, and digital media processing. He is renowned for developing groundbreaking algorithms including the Structural Similarity (SSIM) index, Visual Information Fidelity (VIF), and various blind quality assessment models like BRISQUE and NIQE. His work bridges engineering and neuroscience, creating perception-based models that optimize visual media delivery while reducing bandwidth consumption. These innovations have had profound industry impact, with his algorithms processing a significant proportion of global internet video traffic. His recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in perceptual quality assessment, with increasing focus on AI-generated content, high dynamic range (HDR) video, and novel applications in medical imaging. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more sophisticated, neural network-based quality metrics that better align with human visual perception across diverse content types. Professor Bovik has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to the field: John Fritz Medal (2024) IEEE Edison Medal (2022) IAMB BaM Award (2022) Elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering (2022) Technology and Engineering Emmy Award (2021) IEEE Fourier Award for Signal Processing (2019) Progress Medal from The Royal Photographic Society (2019) Named Honorary Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society (2019) Primetime Emmy Award (2015) Edwin H. Land Medal from The Optical Society (2017) As Director of the Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE), Professor Bovik has secured substantial research funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Standards and Technologies. His lab has produced numerous influential datasets including the LIVE Image and Video Quality Databases. He has mentored many successful students who have gone on to make significant contributions in academia and industry, though specific student names are not provided in the source materials. The Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE) under Professor Bovik's direction has become a world-renowned center for research in perceptual image and video quality. The lab maintains close collaborations with major technology companies including Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, ensuring that research has direct practical applications. LIVE has developed numerous influential tools and databases that are widely used in both academic research and industrial applications worldwide.
Professor Moncef Gabbouj is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as Professor of Signal Processing at the Department of Computing Sciences, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, Finland. Previously, he held the same position at Tampere University of Technology before the merger in 2019. He has also held visiting professorships at prestigious institutions including Hong Kong University of Technology and Science, University of Southern California, and Purdue University. Ph.D. and MSc. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, USA (1989 and 1986) B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University, USA (1985) Prof. Gabbouj's research spans multiple domains within signal and image processing, with a strong focus on machine learning applications. His primary research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data analytics, multimedia content-based analysis, indexing and retrieval, nonlinear signal and image processing, voice conversion, and video processing and coding. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications across various industries, particularly in multimedia communications and biomedical applications. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional signal processing techniques toward more sophisticated machine learning and deep learning approaches. Recent work shows increasing focus on convolutional neural networks for various applications including ECG classification, video processing, financial time-series analysis, and image recognition tasks, reflecting the broader trend in the field toward deep learning methodologies while maintaining strong foundations in signal processing theory. IEEE Fellow (2011) Member, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2014) Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2006) Nokia Foundation Recognition Award (2005) Nokia Foundation Visiting Professor Award (2012) Finnish Cultural Foundation for Art and Science Award (2017) TUT Foundation Grand Award (2015) Prof. Gabbouj has supervised 64 doctoral and 72 Master's theses, demonstrating his significant contribution to academic mentoring. His research has been supported by substantial funding, including research grants totaling 8.5 million Euro (2001-2015). He has served as Academy of Finland Professor during 2011-2015 and has been involved in numerous EU research projects including Horizon, ESPRIT, HCM, IST, COST, Tempus and Erasmus programs. As Editor, Guest Editor or member of the Editorial Board of 6 international scientific journals, he has significantly influenced the academic discourse in his field. He leads the Signal Analysis and Machine Intelligence (SAMI) research group at Tampere University and serves as the Finland Site Director of the NSF IUCRC funded Center for Visual and Decision Informatics. His research unit focuses on applying advanced machine learning techniques to solve complex problems in signal processing, computer vision, and multimedia analytics, with applications ranging from healthcare to multimedia communications and financial analysis.
Markus Vincze is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Automation and Control Engineering (ACIN) at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). He founded the Vision for Robotics (V4R) group in 1996 to advance robotic perception, particularly in real-world environments and homes. His work focuses on cognitive computer vision techniques for robotics. Education: Diplom in Mechanical Engineering (1988) and PhD (1993) from TU Wien; M.Sc. (1990) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. V4R coordinates EU projects like ActIPret, robots@home, HOBBIT, and national initiatives like vision@home. Markus has edited a book on Robust Vision with Gregory Hager and authored 62 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 400 reviewed publications. His recent research explores zero-shot 6D pose estimation, sim-to-real transfer, and transparent object detection. Markus has served as program chair for ICRA 2013 and organized HRI 2017 in Vienna. He has advised numerous students and secured grants from the Austrian Academy of Sciences for work at HelpMate Robotics and Yale's Vision Laboratory. The V4R group leads innovations in robotic vision, including frameworks for synthetic data generation (Unrealgensyn), depth completion (CAGT), and educational robotics applications for sustainability. Their work spans household robotics (RH3), agricultural robotics (EdgeSoil), and human-robot collaboration.
Claudia Lehmann is a University Professor of Film Art & Visual Communication at the Institute for Open Arts, Department of Scenography at Mozarteum University Salzburg. She has been a professor at Mozarteum University since 2019 and previously served as a visiting professor at the Berlin Weissensee Art Academy. As a faculty member, she contributes to the Institute management, teaches as a Teacher, and serves on the Curricular Commission. Dr. Lehmann holds a doctorate in physics (Dr. rer. nat.) with her dissertation "GAUGE COVARIANT MULTISCALE ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS" published through DESY-Publications in 2004. Her academic journey reflects a unique interdisciplinary trajectory from scientific research to artistic practice. Claudia Lehmann's research interests center around the intersection of art and science, with particular focus on perception, reality, and systemic phenomena. Her work spans documentaries, feature films, music videos, art videos, installations, and performances, constantly searching for new forms and formats. She develops visual concepts, video stage sets, and unique live video performances, often in collaboration with Nicolas Stemann. Through her work, she explores diverse possibilities for new structures, especially in the form of artistic collaboration. Her recent artistic output shows a consistent trend toward interdisciplinary work that blends theater, film, and digital media. Lehmann frequently collaborates with Nicolas Stemann and Konrad Hempel, creating innovative performances that integrate video technology with traditional stagecraft. Her work often addresses social and political themes while experimenting with form and presentation. The Institute for Experimental Affairs (IXA), which she co-founded with Konrad Hempel, serves as a platform for exploring the interfaces between science and art through various projects and research initiatives. Dr. Lehmann has received several prestigious awards for her work: Samsung Smartfilm Award 2013 Shocking Shorts Award 2007 Nomination for German Documentary Film Music Prize 2013 Nomination for Studio Hamburg Young Talent Prize for Best Screenplay As an educator and researcher, Lehmann has developed numerous collaborative projects and performances that have been featured at major international festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival, Leipzig Documentary Film Festival, and various theater festivals. Her work with IXA represents a significant research initiative at the intersection of science and art. Lehmann co-founded the Institute for Experimental Affairs (IXA) with visual artist and composer Konrad Hempel. Through IXA, she conducts research and realizes projects at the interfaces between science and art. Her collaborative work spans theater productions, film projects, and interactive installations that have been presented at venues including the Schauspielhaus Zürich, Münchner Kammerspiele, Opéra Comique Paris, and various international festivals.
Marc Pollefeys is a Full Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and Director of the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Zurich Lab. He has held roles such as Visiting Professor at Stanford University (2007) and Assistant/Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill (2002–2009). His research focuses on 3D computer vision, robotics, machine learning, and augmented reality. Education: PhD in Computer Science from KU Leuven (1999), followed by postdoctoral research there until 2002. He transitioned to academic roles at UNC-Chapel Hill before joining ETH Zurich in 2007. Research interests include 3D reconstruction, visual localization, SLAM, and applications in archaeology, urban modeling, and robotics. Notable projects include real-time 3D scanning, city-scale reconstruction, and autonomous vision-based drones. Key awards include ACM Fellow (2022), IEEE Fellow (2012), and ERC Starting Grant (2008). He advises numerous PhD students and collaborates with institutions like Google and Microsoft. Labs and teams: Leads the Computer Vision and Geometry (CVG) lab at ETH Zurich and directs the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Lab. His work bridges academia and industry, focusing on perception for mixed reality and autonomous systems.
Martin Holler is a Professor at the Institute of Mathematics and Scientific Computing at the University of Graz, Austria, where he leads the research group Applied Mathematics and Machine Learning . His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in imaging and machine learning. Research Focus: His primary research areas include the mathematics of data science, variational methods in imaging, dynamic and multi-modality inverse problems, and biomedical imaging. He has made significant contributions to model-based regularization techniques, particularly with Total Generalized Variation (TGV) approaches for image and video reconstruction. Publication Trends: Over the past decade, Holler's research has evolved from traditional variational methods for image reconstruction toward increasingly sophisticated machine learning approaches. His recent work (2021-2023) focuses on integrating deep learning with variational methods, particularly for motion separation in medical imaging and learning-informed parameter identification in partial differential equations. His publications demonstrate a consistent thread of applying rigorous mathematical frameworks to solve practical problems in medical imaging and computer vision. Mathematics of data science and machine learning Generative models in machine learning Variational methods in imaging Dynamic and multi-modality inverse problems Model-based regularization Biomedical imaging Image and video decompression Technical Leadership: Holler has developed several open-source software packages implementing advanced reconstruction algorithms, particularly for multi-modal imaging problems. His GitHub repositories show active maintenance and development of these tools, which have been cited in the medical imaging community.
Professor Dong Xu is a Tenured Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), part of the School of Computing and Data Science. He holds a B.Eng. and Ph.D. from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). His career includes tenured roles at Nanyang Technological University and the University of Sydney, alongside postdoctoral research at Columbia University. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Multimedia, and Machine Learning , with applications in autonomous driving, AR/VR, medical image analysis, and video surveillance. Xu has authored over 150 papers in top journals and conferences, including CVPR, ICCV, and IEEE Transactions. He actively contributes to the academic community as an editorial board member for journals like ACM Computing Surveys and IEEE Transactions, and through leadership roles in conferences such as ACM Multimedia and ICME. Notable awards include Fellowships from IEEE and IAPR, and the IEEE Signal Processing Society Distinguished Lecturer title (2021–2022). Education: B.Eng. (USTC, 2001), Ph.D. (USTC, 2005) Professional Service: Program Coordinator of ACM Multimedia 2024, Guest Editor of over ten special issues.
Craig Gotsman is a Professor and Dean at the Ying Wu College of Computing, New Jersey Institute of Technology. He previously held roles at Cornell Tech, Technion, ETH Zurich, and MIT. His research focuses on computational geometry, computer graphics, and 3D animation. Ph.D. in Computer Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1991) His work spans geometric modeling, mesh processing, and applications in animation and visualization. Recent research trends include gaze correction in video conferencing, mesh parameterization, and spectral compression techniques. Notable awards include Fellowships in the US National Academy of Inventors and the Academy of Europe, multiple best paper awards, and the Technion's Hewlett Packard Chair in Computer Engineering. Gotsman has mentored over 50 postgraduate students and holds ten US patents. He co-founded three companies: Virtue 3D Inc. (acquired by NVIDIA), Estimotion Inc. (now ITIS Israel Ltd.), and CatchEye.
Christian Timmerer is a Professor at the Institute of Information Technology, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. His research focuses on adaptive video streaming , energy efficiency , MPEG standardization , and quality of experience (QoE) , with significant contributions to HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS), multi-codec optimization, and immersive media systems. Email: christian.timmerer@aau.at Office Hours: Monday 3:00-4:00 PM (by appointment) Projects: CD-Labor ATHENA, GAIA, SPIRIT His research integrates machine learning and generative AI to enhance video encoding, super-resolution, and voice dubbing, while prioritizing sustainability through energy-aware algorithms and open-source tools like GREEM and VEED. Current work emphasizes latency reduction and dynamic bitrate adaptation in live streaming environments. Recent publications address VVC optimization , multi-resolution encoding , and perceptual quality modeling , reflecting interdisciplinary efforts in networking , computer vision , and human-computer interaction . Awards include leading funded projects on adaptive streaming and green video systems.
Jean Ponce is a Professor of Computer Science at Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) in Paris and a Part-Time Global Distinguished Professor at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Data Science (CDS). He previously served as Director of the ENS Computer Science Department (2011-2017) and held positions at Inria (2017-2022), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1998-2006), MIT, Stanford, and Inria (1982-1985). Academic Leadership: Scientific Director of PRAIRIE Interdisciplinary AI Research Institute in Paris Startup Involvement: Co-founder and CEO of Enhance Lab (2022) Editorial Roles: Senior Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Computer Vision (2019-2022) Conference Leadership: Chair of IEEE CVPR (1997,2000), ECCV (2008), and upcoming ICCV (2023) Research Focus: Computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and AI with applications in exoplanet imaging, 3D reconstruction, and image quality assessment. His work bridges statistical learning and deep learning approaches. Awards: IEEE Fellow (2003) ELLIS Fellow (2019) ERC Advanced Grant (2011) IEEE CVPR Longuet-Higgins Prizes (2016,2020) ICML Test-of-Time Award (2019) Patents & Publications: Co-author of influential textbook Computer Vision: A Modern Approach (translated into Chinese, Japanese, Russian). Holds two US patents and one pending French patent. Google Scholar h-index of 78 with over 55,000 citations.
Prof. Hermann Hellwagner is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt. He has held roles such as Vice President (Natural and Technical Sciences) at the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. His research focuses on multimedia communication, network engineering, and future internet architectures. Notable projects include work on adaptive streaming, edge computing, and drone networks. He holds a Ph.D. in Systolic Architectures from the University of Linz (1988). Research interests span distributed multimedia systems, information-centric networking (ICN), and optimizing video streaming quality-of-experience (QoE). Recent work emphasizes edge computing solutions for low-latency streaming and dynamic codec adaptation. His contributions include frameworks like ALPHAS and MEDUSA for bitrate optimization, and studies on point cloud streaming in augmented reality. Publications (2021–2025) highlight advancements in edge-assisted streaming, hybrid P2P-CDN architectures, and transcoding techniques. His work often bridges theoretical models with real-world implementations, addressing challenges in latency, cost, and device adaptability. Current projects involve 6DoF video streaming and multi-robot system optimization. Labs/Teams: Part of the Institute of Information Technology (ITEC), Klagenfurt. Collaborates on EU-funded projects and industry partnerships in 5G edge computing and drone networks. Active in standards groups for HTTP adaptive streaming protocols.
Yun Fu is a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, affiliated with the College of Engineering and Khoury College of Computer Science. He holds tenure in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). His roles include Professor, Senior Vice President at Shiseido Americas, founder of Giaran (acquired by Shiseido), and co-founder of TVision Insights. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and data mining. Key achievements include over 500 publications, 50+ patents, and prestigious awards like IEEE Fellow, OSA Fellow, and AAIA Fellow. He leads the SMILE Lab, exploring AI applications in vision, robotics, and healthcare. Notable entrepreneurship includes AI-driven ventures in cosmetics and media analytics. Research interests emphasize AI-driven solutions for computer vision challenges, including anomaly detection, trajectory prediction, and multimodal learning. His work bridges academia and industry, with impactful contributions to both fields.
Ahmet Tekalp is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Koc University's College of Engineering since 2001. He holds dual citizenship in Turkey and the USA, with prior academic roles at the University of Rochester (1986-2005) and research positions at Eastman Kodak (1984-1987) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1981-1984). He chairs the Electronics and Informatics Group at TUBITAK since 2004 as a part-time position. B.S. (1980) in Electrical Engineering & Mathematics, Bogaziçi University M.S. (1982) and Ph.D. (1984) in Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute His research focuses on digital image and video processing, including video compression, motion-compensated filtering for high-resolution applications, video segmentation, object tracking, content-based video analysis, multi-camera surveillance processing, and digital content protection. He has led numerous European and U.S. grants, including FP7 STREP projects and NSF awards, emphasizing applications in sensor networks, visual databases, and medical imaging. His scholarly work spans diverse areas such as superresolution reconstruction, head gesture animation, 3DTV streaming, and reversible data hiding. He has played pivotal roles in editorial boards, including serving as Editor-in-Chief of Signal Processing: Image Communication, and has contributed to major standards bodies like ISO MPEG and ANSI NCITS. Member, Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) Fellow, IEEE Fulbright Senior Scholarship (1999) TUBITAK Science Award (2004) IEEE Signal Processing Society Distinguished Lecturer (1998) He has led multiple international research collaborations and projects, including European FP6/FP7 networks and NATO programs, with substantial grant funding from NSF, NYSTAR, and industry partners like Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Siemens.
