Artificial intelligence · applied research · software engineering
I develop intelligent systems
for complex problems.
I’m Zaher Joukhadar, a senior AI researcher at the University of Melbourne. I translate research questions into reliable systems across space, health and digital culture.
MISSION COMPLETEAdaptive AI · SpIRIT
RIGOROUS RESEARCH
RELIABLE DELIVERY
research projects
intelligent systems
citations
subscribers
YouTube · Science in Arabic
Scientific Papers أوراق علمية
Science, artificial intelligence and research ideas for Arabic-speaking audiences.
ARTICLES & IDEAS
Latest thoughts
Essays on artificial intelligence, human understanding and interaction design.
The gap between intelligence and understanding
AI can produce an answer in seconds. Understanding it still takes place at a human pace.
02 — SELECTED WORK
From research
to application.
Applied AI across space, health, culture and interaction design.
01On-board artificial intelligence
SpIRIT Nano-Satellite
Adaptive on-board AI for Australia’s SpIRIT nanosatellite. Mission operations ended in January 2026; the satellite re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in August 2026.
- On-board AI
- Computer vision
02Creative artificial intelligence
The Heart
A permanent artwork that turns Melbourne Connect’s live building data into an evolving visual pulse.
- Creative AI
- Data art
03Machine learning for microscopy
Nanoscale Nerve Segmentation
Automated segmentation and morphometric analysis of myelinated and unmyelinated axons in nanoscale electron microscopy images.
- Microscopy AI
- Image segmentation
04Responsible artificial intelligence
Biometric Mirror
An interactive installation that reveals and questions the assumptions behind automated facial analysis.
- Responsible AI
- Facial analysis
05Augmented learning
Augmented Studio
Projection-mapped anatomy placed directly onto moving bodies for physiotherapy education.
- Augmented reality
- Projection mapping
06Animal-centred design
Kinecting with Orangutans
An interactive system designed for voluntary play between orangutans and zoo visitors.
- Animal–computer interaction
- Computer vision
03 — EXPERIENCE
Experience across
research and engineering.
Senior AI Researcher
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform · University of Melbourne
PhD Candidate in Artificial Intelligence
University of Melbourne
Research data and software
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform · University of Melbourne
Research Fellow & Lead Software Engineer
Microsoft SocialNUI Centre · Interaction Design Lab
Artificial Intelligence Team Leader
IDscan Biometrics
04 — PROFILE
Technical depth.
Contextual understanding.
I’m a Syrian–Australian senior AI researcher at the University of Melbourne.
I develop applied AI across space, health, science and culture, connecting research questions with reliable software. I’m also completing a PhD on intrinsic dimensionality and founded Scientific Papers — أوراق علمية for Arabic-speaking audiences.
Discuss a collaboration on LinkedIn ↗Core practice
Artificial intelligenceMachine learningComputer visionAI in spaceResearch softwareTechnical 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
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
↗26 scholarly, creative and patent outputs
Machine learning · computer vision · HCI · data-intensive research
06 — CONNECT
Let’s
talk.
For applied AI, research collaborations and technical conversations.
Connect on LinkedIn ↗