Artificial intelligence · applied research · software engineering
I develop intelligent systems
for complex problems.
I’m Zaher Joukhadar, an AI engineer and researcher at the University of Melbourne. I translate research questions into reliable systems across space, health and digital culture.
AI
CV
NOW ORBITINGAdaptive AI · SpIRIT
RIGOROUS RESEARCH
RELIABLE DELIVERY
research projects
intelligent systems
citations
and honours
02 — SELECTED WORK
From research
to application.
Selected projects showing how research and engineering work together across space, health, culture and human–computer interaction.
On-board artificial intelligence
SpIRIT Nano-Satellite
An adaptive on-board AI pipeline engineered for Australia’s first AI-enabled nanosatellite—taking machine learning from the lab into orbit.
Project impact +
One of the few confirmed demonstrations of deep-learning inference and adaptation in orbit. CVPR 2024 AI for Space Honourable Mention.
- On-board AI
- Computer vision
- Space systems
Building data as a living artwork
The Heart
A permanent AI artwork at Melbourne Connect that turns a living stream of building sensor data into an evolving visual pulse.
Project impact +
Presented through Melbourne Design Week, NeurIPS 2023 and the IEEE VIS 2024 Arts Program.
- Creative AI
- Data art
- Real-time systems
Authenticating physical artworks
Art Authentication
A computer-vision and hyperspectral imaging system designed to help establish the authenticity and provenance of physical artworks.
Project impact +
The pilot catalysed a A$100k proof-of-concept grant and a subsequent international patent filing.
- Hyperspectral AI
- Provenance
- Patent
04↗A critical view of facial analysis
Biometric Mirror
An interactive installation that makes the hidden assumptions of facial analysis visible—and invites the public to challenge automated judgement.
Project impact +
Exhibited internationally, including at the World Economic Forum in Dalian and the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
- Responsible AI
- Facial analysis
- Public engagement
Teaching anatomy through projection
Augmented Studio
A projection-mapped learning environment that places anatomical structures directly onto moving bodies for physiotherapy education.
Project impact +
Published at ACM CHI and brought to public audiences at NGV and Melbourne Knowledge Week.
- Augmented reality
- Projection mapping
- Health
Animal-centred interaction design
Kinecting with Orangutans
An animal-centred interactive system exploring how zoo orangutans choose to engage with projected games and human visitors.
Project impact +
Winner of a Best Paper Award at ACM CHI 2017 and covered by international media.
- Animal–computer interaction
- Computer vision
- CHI
WORKING PRINCIPLE
AI proves its value when it leaves the lab and performs reliably in real conditions—on a satellite, in a health project or in a public space. A good system is accurate, understandable and usable.
Zaher JoukhadarApplied research · AI engineering
03 — EXPERIENCE
Experience across
research and engineering.
A career extending from leading a biometrics team to developing AI in orbit, shaped by multidisciplinary research.
Senior Research Data Specialist
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform · University of Melbourne
Leading applied AI collaborations across space, health, science and culture, and turning research questions into working systems.
PhD Candidate in Artificial Intelligence
University of Melbourne
Researching intrinsic dimensionality as a foundation for more compact, adaptive and efficient machine learning.
Research Data Specialist
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform · University of Melbourne
Led and contributed to 14 multidisciplinary research projects, spanning nanoscale imaging, biosecurity, clinical data and creative AI.
Research Fellow & Lead Software Engineer
Microsoft SocialNUI Centre · Interaction Design Lab
Developed experimental technologies for human–computer interaction research and public installations.
Artificial Intelligence Team Leader
IDscan Biometrics
Built and led an AI engineering team delivering document intelligence and biometric systems later acquired by GBG Plc.
04 — PROFILE
Technical depth.
Contextual understanding.
Zaher is a Syrian–Australian AI engineer, researcher and technical leader at the University of Melbourne.
His work connects advanced machine learning with the environments it must serve. He has developed systems for satellite payloads, clinical research, cultural institutions, animal welfare, identity technology and public art, with a focus on moving from a research question to a clear, reliable system.
Alongside his role at the Melbourne Data Analytics Platform, Zaher is completing a PhD in artificial intelligence focused on intrinsic dimensionality and compact machine learning. He also founded Scientific Papers — أوراق علمية, bringing rigorous AI ideas to Arabic-speaking audiences.
Discuss a collaboration on LinkedIn ↗Core practice
Artificial intelligenceMachine learningComputer visionAI in spaceResearch softwareData scienceAugmented realityCreative technologyTechnical leadership
Education
PhD candidate, Artificial IntelligenceUniversity of Melbourne · 2023—present
Master of Information TechnologyUniversity of Melbourne · 2013
Bachelor of Informatics EngineeringUniversity of Aleppo · highest-ranking graduate
Selected recognition
UoM Awards for ExcellenceInnovation & contribution to research · 2023, 2024
Best PaperACM CHI · 2017
Honourable MentionCVPR AI for Space Workshop · 2024
05 — RESEARCH
Selected
publications.
Scholar ↗
01
Flight Demonstration of On-Orbit Model Adaptation on the SpIRIT Nanosatellite
CVPR Workshops
↗02A Bayesian Framework for Robust Local Intrinsic Dimensionality Estimation
Machine Learning
↗03Designing an Adaptive AI System for Operation on Board the SpIRIT Nano-Satellite
AI 2024
↗04Disease Delineation Using Supervised Machine Learning on Speech Acoustics
IEEE TNSRE
↗26 scholarly, creative and patent outputs
Machine learning · computer vision · HCI · data-intensive research
06 — CONNECT
Let’s
talk.
I welcome collaborations in artificial intelligence and applied research, or conversations about technical challenges that benefit from multidisciplinary expertise.
Connect on LinkedIn ↗