Hassan Ugail

Professor Hassan Ugail is a mathematician and a computer scientist. He is currently working as a professor of visual computing at the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics at the University of Bradford.[2] Ugail is known to be 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
ހަސަން އުގެއިލް
Born24 September
Hithadhoo, Addu City, Maldives
NationalityMaldivian
Alma mater
[1]
Scientific career
FieldsVisual Computing
Institutions
ThesisDesign, analysis and optimisation in an interactive environment (2000)

Ugail is known for his contributions 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] Additionally, in 2020, Ugail collaborated with the BBC News investigators to uncover an alleged Nazi war criminal, who settled in the UK, who could have worked for the British intelligence during the Cold War.[13]

Ugail's 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.

Early life

Hassan Ugail was born in Hithadhoo, Maldives. He completed his primary education at Nooranee School in Hithadhoo. In the 1960s, Hassan Ugail's father, Ahmed Ugail, worked as a clerk at the British Royal Air Force base in Gan Island in the Maldives. According to Ugail, his father's access to English language resources and books from the British based in Gan Island provided him with academic opportunities from an early age.

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. In 1992, he received the opportunity to continue his studies in the UK as a result of a British Council scholarship.[14]

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.[15] He then worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Applied Mathematics at University of Leeds until September 2002. 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 was among the youngest professors at the University of Bradford at the time. He currently serves as the director of the Centre for Visual Computing at the University of Bradford.[16]

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 methods which are being practically utilised in the area of biometrics as well for applications in healthcare.

His research has practical applications, which include building new application environments for complex interactive computer-aided design and computer animation, design analysis and optimisation for engineering and biomedical applications such as accurate computer modelling of shapes of biological membranes, the human heart and artificial limbs. Other than that, his research using artificial intelligence and machine learning is seen to be applicable to biometric identification such as face recognition, non-invasive human emotion analysis, lie detection as well as medical image understanding for diagnostic purposes.[17] [18]

Achievements

His methods for the representation of a three-dimensional object and for the storage and transmission of data representing a three-dimensional object;[19] and his method for the time-dependent animation of a three-dimensional object [20] are all protected under British and US patent laws, between 2008 and 2015.

His research in Visual Computing techniques has led to the establishment of a university spin-out company Tangentix Ltd that looked at defining and manipulating complex digital data applied to develop computer games.[21][22][23][24] Tangentix subsequently launched GameSessions that enable users to try or buy PC games online with ease.[25] Ugail was the founder and CSO of Tangentix Ltd. It was a UK-based startup exploring the use of 3D graphics compression. The company raised both Series A and Series B funding in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and was acquired by Toadman Interactive in 2019.[26][27][28]

In 2010 Professor Ugail won the most prestigious award from University of Bradford, the 'Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award'.[29]

In September 2011, Prof Ugail showcased a lie detection system that uses two cameras and a computer to try to observe slight changes in facial expressions and facial temperature profiles.[30][9][31] This system is seen as a step change from the traditional polygraph lie detector, which requires the subject to be wired up to a range of physiological sensors.[32] This system is non-invasive with the potential to be used in covert situations, 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.[33]

Ugail is also seen as an inspirational figure, especially among Maldivians, and is known for giving motivational talks, and he runs local television programmes on science and delivers science related information. For example, he ran a science column, called Professor Ugail's Opinion in the local Maldivian language in Mihaaru - a prominent and widely distributed newspaper in the Maldives.[34]

Additionally, Professor Ugail undertakes some philanthropic work by delivering STEM knowledge through the Ugail Foundation, primarily through theCircle by Ugail Foundation, which has imparted coding, critical thinking and leadership skills, especially to young people.[35][36]

Selected works

Books
  • Ugail, Hassan (2022). Deep Learning in Visual Computing, Explanations and Examples. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0367549626.
  • Ugail, Hassan (2020). Multidisciplinary Data Visualization. Amazon. ISBN 979-8692710437.
  • 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 978-0857297839.

Patents
  • WO patent 2011110855, "Multimedia content delivery system"
  • GB patent 2422756, "Storing or transmitting data representing a 3D object"
  • GB patent 2422757, "Time-dependent animation of a 3d object"

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". Reuters. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  6. "New face-ageing technique could boost search for missing people like Ben Needham and Maddy McCann". Daily Mirror. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  7. "Don Henley Was Right: You Can't Hide Your Lying Eyes". Forbes. 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 News. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  10. "New Evidence Links Russian State to Berlin Assassination". Bellingcat. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  11. "The Search for Denis Sergeev: Photographing a Ghost". Bellingcat. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  12. "Salisbury poisoning suspect Alexander Petrov is really military doctor Alexander Mishkin, investigative website claims". ITV. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  13. "The Nazi in the family". BBC. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  14. "How I became Professor Ugail". Coralglass Media. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  15. Ugail, Hassan (2000). Design, analysis and optimisation in an interactive environment (Thesis).
  16. "Professor Hassan Ugail". University of Bradford. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  17. "AI tool to transform transplant system & save hundreds of extra lives per year". National Health Executive. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  18. "New AI System Selects Donor Organs More Accurately Than Humans". Tech Times. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  19. GB patent 2422756, "Storing or transmitting data representing a 3D object"
  20. GB patent 2422757, "Time-dependent animation of a 3d object"
  21. "Data Compression Company Tangentix Raises $2.1 Million". Pulse2.0 News. 2013-03-24. Archived from the original on 2014-03-22.
  22. "Professor invents visual computing techniques". Archived from the original on 2012-03-05.
  23. "About Us". Tangentix. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12.
  24. "Maldivian scientist recognised for achievements in digital knowledge transfer". Minivan News. Archived from the original on 2014-03-22.
  25. "GameSessions". Tangentix. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  26. "Tangentix to play major role in games sector thanks to funding". Yorishire Post. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  27. "Tangentix secures a further funding round for gaming tech". TechCrunch. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  28. "Gaming Startups in Sheffield". TraCxn. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  29. "Award for Bradford Professor". Asian Express Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2010-07-07.
  30. "Lie-detecting camera tracks facial blood flow". Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  31. "Thermal imaging turns up heat on liars". CNN. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  32. "Airport to test 'facial' lie detector". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  33. "2011 Maldives National Award Winners". Presidency Maldives. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  34. "Mihaaru - Professor Ugail". Mihaaru News. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  35. "Ugail Foundation". Ugail Foundation. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  36. "theCircle by Ugail Foundation". theCircle by Ugail Foundation. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
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