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My name is George Azzopardi, and I am an Associate Professor in Pattern Recognition, embedded in the Information Systems group of the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Other Affiliation:
University of Malta

Introducing the PRISMA team

PRISMA (Pattern Recognition and Inference: Signals → Models → Applications) is one of the three key pillars driving innovation within the Information Systems group. As the academic lead of PRISMA, I guide our research team in advancing the robustness of vision models, developing innovative approaches to machine learning, and transforming complex data into actionable insights.

At PRISMA, we focus on interdisciplinary collaboration across biology, medicine, radio astronomy, and forensics. Our mission is to transform complexity into clarity; i.e. extracting distinct patterns from diffused information, much like how a prism reveals the hidden spectrum of light. By bridging theory and practice, PRISMA contributes in advancing pattern recognition and applications.

PRISMA Mission

As a research team within the Information Systems group, PRISMA strives to uncover meaningful patterns from scattered data, ensuring our models remain robust in real-world conditions. Through interdisciplinary partnerships, we aim to create innovative tools and technologies that address significant challenges in science and industry.

PRISMA Team Members and Ongoing Projects

PRISMA
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  • Peter van der Wal (PhD student, in collaboration with CogniGron): Focuses on developing deep-learning algorithms inspired by the visual system of the brain, enhancing robustness and generalization for unseen corruptions.
  • Sabatino Esposito (PhD student, in collaboration with the University of Salerno): Works on the fundamental aspects of deep learning for improved model robustness.
  • Anusha Aswath and Changmin Tian (Two PhD students, interdisciplinary projects): Developing algorithms for segmenting (sub)cellular structures in large-scale electron microscopy images, including hyperspectral data, in collaboration with UMCG, Biomedical Science of Cells & Systems.
  • Steven Ndung’u Machetho (PhD student, interdisciplinary project): Working on classifying and retrieving sources in radio astronomy images in collaboration with ASTRON and the University of Stellenbosch.
  • Rafael Martínez García Peña (PhD student, interdisciplinary project): Developing a computer-aided diagnosis system for hyperkinetic movement disorders using video analysis, in collaboration with the Movement Disorders department at UMCG.
  • Amey Bhole (External PhD student): Developing computer vision models that are robust against black-box adversarial attacks.
  • Guru Swaroop Bennabhaktula (Post-doc): Engaged in fundamental research and forensic image analysis, collaborating with the Dutch Driving Authority (RDW) to develop algorithms that verify the authenticity of face images and prevent face morphing attacks.

Through these diverse research endeavors, PRISMA continues to push boundaries in pattern recognition, contributing to both fundamental scientific knowledge and impactful real-world applications.

Highlights

In 2023, Guru Swaroop Bennabhaktula and I were honored with the Ben Feringa Impact Award. In 2024, I received the ENLIGHT Impact Award for our pioneering work in forensic image analysis.

Other Roles

Associate Editor for


Research Interests
Core
  • Brain-inspired visual pattern recognition
  • Information retrieval
  • Predictive analysis
  • Anomaly detection
Applications
  • Medical, forensic, radio-astronomy and first-person image analysis
  • Smart farming
  • Sport science
  • Blockchain
Career

    🏆  2024 - Winner of an Enlight Impact Award, Enlight European University
    🏆  2023 - Winner of the Ben Feringa Impact Award, University of Groningen
    2024 - to date: Associate professor with ius promovendi (Adjunct hoogleraar, 1FTE), University of Groningen
    2021 - 2023: Assistant professor (1FTE), University of Groningen
    2017 - 2021: Joined appointment
      Tenure track assistant professor (0.8FTE), University of Groningen
      2019 - 2021: Senior AI Scientist (0.2FTE), Ziel NL, Groningen
      2017 - 2019: Senior AI Scientist (0.2FTE), KAIOS, Groningen
    2015 - 2017: Lecturer (1FTE), University of Malta (Malta)

    2012 - 2015: Joined appointment
      Researcher (0.2FTE), University of Groningen
      Scientific Innovator (0.8FTE), TNO
    2013: PhD cum laude in Computer Science, University of Groningen. Download thesis
    2008: MSc Advanced Methods in Computer Science, Queen Mary, University of London (UK)
    2007 - 2008: Algorithmic developer, Iteanova (Malta)
    2006: BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Information Systems, Goldsmiths College, University of London (UK)
    2004: Certificate in Banking and Financial Services, Chartered Institute of Bankers (Malta)
    2000 - 2007: Software developer, Bank of Valletta (Malta)