Hassan Ugail

Professor Hassan Ugail is a mathematician and a computer scientist. He is currently working as a Professor of Visual Computing at the School of Engineering and Informatics at the University of Bradford.[2] Professor Ugail is the first Maldivian to obtain a PhD in Mathematics. He is also the first and to date the only Maldivian to receive a professorship in the field of Science.[3]


Hassan Ugail
Born24 September
Hithadhoo, Addu City, Maldives
Alma mater
[1]
Spouse(s)Livshana Shareef
Scientific career
FieldsVisual Computing From 2009-present
Institutions
ThesisDesign, analysis and optimisation in an interactive environment (2000)

Professor Ugail is well known for his work on computer-based human face analysis including, face recognition,[4] face ageing,[5][6] emotion analysis[7][8] and lie detection.[9] For example, in 2018, he has used his face recognition tools to help unmask the two suspected Russian spies at the heart of the Salisbury Novichok poisoning case.[10][11][12]

Prof. Ugail's principal research interests are in the area of Visual Computing particularly in the area of 3D geometric design, 3D imaging, computer-based simulations and machine learning. Prof. Ugail is a leader in the field of Visual Computing and has greatly contributed to the development of the field by successfully delivering a number of high-profile research and innovation projects, publications and international lectures. He is a member of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) peer review college and also a peer reviewer for several related journals and conferences in his field of research.

Early life

Hassan Ugail was born in Hithadhoo, Maldives. He completed his primary education at Nooranee School in Hithadhoo. In 1987, he moved to Malé to continue his education at the English Preparatory And Secondary School and at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education. Ugail was a top student and considered to be bright. In 1992, he received the opportunity to continue his studies in the UK as a result of a British Council scholarship.

Academic life

Ugail received a B.Sc. degree with First Class Honours in Mathematics in 1995 and a PGCE in 1996 both from King's College London. He was awarded his PhD by the Department of Applied Mathematics at University of Leeds in the year 2000 for his research in geometric design.[13] He then worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Applied Mathematics at University of Leeds until September 2002. Prof. Ugail joined the School of Informatics, University of Bradford, as a Lecturer in September 2002. He was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in April 2005. Ugail became a professor in 2009 at the age of 38 and is among the youngest professors at the University of Bradford. He currently serves as the director of the Centre for Visual Computing at University of Bradford.[2]

Research

Professor Ugail's principal research interests are in the areas of geometric design, computer-based physical analysis, and machine learning that all fall into a broad area of research known as Simulation-Based Design and Machine Learning. The focus of his research has been particularly upon a novel method for geometric design known as the PDE (partial differential equation) method developed at the University of Leeds. The PDE method is based on a suitably chosen PDE that enables to model complex shapes in an easy and predictable fashion. Prof. Ugail also developed the method of biharmonic Bézier surface for boundary based smooth surface design with Professor Monterde from University of Valencia, Spain. His work on computer-based human face analysis based on artificial intelligence and machine learning has introduced numerous novel methods which are being practically utilized in the area of biometrics as well for applications in healthcare.

His research has many practical applications, which include building new application environments for complex interactive computer-aided design and computer animation, design analysis and optimisation for engineering and bio-medical applications such as accurate computer modelling of shapes of biological membranes, human heart and artificial limbs. Other than that, his research using artificial intelligence and machine learning is applicable to biometric identification such as face recognition, non-invasive human emotion analysis, lie detection as well as medical image understanding for diagnostic purposes.

Achievements

His methods for the representation of a three-dimensional object and for the storage and transmission of data representing a three-dimensional object;[14] and his method for the time-dependent animation of a three-dimensional object [15] are all protected under British and US patent laws.

His research in Visual Computing techniques has led to the establishment of a University spin-out company Tangentix Ltd looking at defining and manipulating complex digital data applied to develop computer games.[16][17][18][19] Tangentix has recently launched GameSessions which will enable users to try or buy PC games online with ease.[20]

In 2010 Professor Ugail won the most prestigious award from University of Bradford, the 'Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award'.[21]

In September 2011, Prof Ugail unveiled a new lie detector system that uses two cameras and a computer to try to observe slight changes in facial expressions and facial temperature profile.[22][23][24] This new system he developed is a complete step change from the traditional polygraph lie detector, which requires the subject to be wired up to a range of physiological sensors.[25] This system is purely non-invasive and can be used in a covert situation, where the person being monitored potentially knows nothing about it.

In 2011 Professor Ugail received the Maldives National Award for Innovation. He is the first and the only Maldivian to have received this award to date.

Prof. Ugail's research work is funded by a variety of sources. For example, his current research grant portfolio from EPSRC can be found here . His research finding has been widely published in related international journals and conference proceedings. A list of selected references for his work can be found here .

In late 2005, the political Maldivian webzine proposed a so-called "Dream Team" to constituent a future government that would bring forth "democracy and prosperity" in the Maldives. Despite Prof. Ugail's training as a mathematician, the compiler of this list placed him as Ambassador to the UK. Though this may be the case, Prof Ugail continues to remain politically neutral and on several occasions, he has openly said that he has no interest in getting politically involved and that he has no interest in running for the office in the Maldives.

Aside from his academic work as a university professor, Professor Ugail continues to inspire people especially Maldivians in the field of science by giving motivational talks, running local television programmes on science and delivering science related information in enthusiastic and engaging ways. For example, he runs a science column, called Professor Ugail's Opinion in local Maldivian language in Mihaaru - the most prominent and widely distributed newspaper in the Maldives.

Selected works

Books
  • Ugail, Hassan; Aldahoud, Ahmad Ali Asad (2019). Computational Techniques for Human Smile Analysis. Springer. ISBN 978-3-030-15380-9.
  • Ugail, Hassan (2011). Partial Differential Equations for Geometric Design. Springer. ISBN 085729783X.

Patents

References
  1. "Hassan Ugail, Professor of Visual Computing, Faculty of Engineering & Informatics / Media Design and Technology - Staff Profiles". Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  2. "University of Bradford: School of Engineering and Informatics (Staff Contacts)". Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  3. "Ugail's vision of breeding Maldivian scientists". Haveeru. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
  4. "Half a face enough for recognition technology". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  5. "Prince George's future face predicted by scientists". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  6. "New face-ageing technique could boost search for missing people like Ben Needham and Maddy McCann". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  7. "Don Henley Was Right: You Can't Hide Your Lying Eyes". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  8. "How can you reliably spot a fake smile? Ask a computer". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  9. "New emotion detector can see when we're lying". BBC. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  10. "New Evidence Links Russian State to Berlin Assassination". Belingcat. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  11. "The Search for Denis Sergeev: Photographing a Ghost". Belingcat. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  12. "Salisbury poisoning suspect Alexander Petrov is really military doctor Alexander Mishkin, investigative website claims". ITV. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  13. Ugail, Hassan (2000). Design, analysis and optimisation in an interactive environment (Thesis).
  14. GB patent 2422756, "Storing or transmitting data representing a 3D object"
  15. GB patent 2422757, "Time-dependent animation of a 3d object"
  16. "Data Compression Company Tangentix Raises $2.1 Million". Pulse2.0 News. 2013-03-24. Archived from the original on 2014-03-22.
  17. "Professor invents visual computing techniques". Archived from the original on 2012-03-05.
  18. "About Us". Tangentix. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12.
  19. "Maldivian scientist recognised for achievements in digital knowledge transfer". Minivan News. Archived from the original on 2014-03-22.
  20. "GameSessions". Tangentix. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  21. "Award for Bradford Professor". Asian Express Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2010-07-07.
  22. "Lie-detecting camera tracks facial blood flow". Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  23. "New emotion detector can see when we're lying". BBC. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  24. "Thermal imaging turns up heat on liars". CNN. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  25. "Airport to test 'facial' lie detector". Financial Times. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
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