Current Lab Members
SARAH OSTADABBAS
PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
- 617-373-4992
- Ostadabbas@ece.neu.edu
Professor Ostadabbas is an associate professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Northeastern University (NU) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She joined NU in 2016 after completing her post-doctoral research at Georgia Tech, following the achievement of her PhD at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2014. At NU, Professor Ostadabbas holds the roles of Director at the Augmented Cognition Laboratory (ACLab), and the Director of Women in Engineering (WIE). Her research focuses on the convergence of computer vision and machine learning, particularly emphasizing representation learning in visual perception problems. In her applied research, she has significantly contributed to the understanding, detection, and prediction of human and animal behaviors through the modeling of visual motion, considering various biomechanical factors. Professor Ostadabbas also extends her work to the Small Data Domain, including applications in medical and military fields, where data collection and labeling are costly and protected by strict privacy laws. Her solutions involve deep learning frameworks that operate effectively with limited labeled training data, incorporate domain knowledge for prior learning and synthetic data augmentation, and enhance the generalization of learning across domains by acquiring invariant representations. Professor Ostadabbas has co-authored over 130 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles and received research awards from prestigious institutions such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense (DoD), Sony, Mathworks, Amazon AWS, Verizon, Oracle, Biogen, and NVIDIA. She has been honored with the NSF CAREER Award (2022), Sony Faculty Innovation Award (2023), winner of Cade Prize for Inventivity in the Technology category (2024), was the runner-up for the Oracle Excellence Award (2023), and One of the 120+ Women Spearheading Advances in Visual Tech and AI Recognized by LDV Capital (2024). She is also elected as a Faculty Fellow and the recipient of the Constantinos Mavroidis Translational Research Award from the NU’s College of Engineering in 2025. She served in the organization committees of many workshops in renowned conferences (such as CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, ICIP, ICCASP, BioCAS, CHASE, ICHI) in various roles including Lead/Co-Lead Organizer, Program Chair, Board Member, Publicity Co-Chair, Session Chair, Technical Committee, and Mentor.
ELAHEH HATAMI
EAI POSTDOC
“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs, one step at a time.” Joe Girard
- Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran (September 2014 – September 2020)
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran (September 2010 – February 2013)
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran (Sep 2005 – June 2009)
SOMAIEH AMRAEE
EAI POSTDOC
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi
- PhD (2018) Computer Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
- MS (2010) Computer Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
- BS (2006) Computer Engineering, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
WEN XIE
EAI POSTDOC
“Fake it and make it, till you become it.” Amy Cuddy
- PhD (2023) Electrical Engineering, University of Houston, Texas, USA.
- BS (2018) Electronic Information Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China.
XIAOFEI HUANG
PHD STUDENT
“If you’re waiting until you feel talented enough to make it, you’ll never make it.” Criss Jami
- Doctor of Philosophy (Sep 2019–present)—ECE, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
- Master of Science (2015-2017)—Electrical and Computer Engineering -Northeastern University, Boston, US.
- Master of Science (2010-2013)—Mechanical Manufacture & Automation – Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Bachelor of Science (2006-2010)—Electronic Engineering – Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
SHAOTONG ZHU
PHD STUDENT
“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” Charlie Chaplin
- Doctor of Philosophy (Sept 2020– Present)—ECE, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
- Master of Science (2018-2020)—Electrical Engineering, The George Washington University, USA.
- Bachelor of Engineering (2013-2017) Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China.
LE JIANG
PHD STUDENT
“The key to success is the ability to extract the lessons out of each of these experiences and to move on with that new knowledge.” Tina Seelig
- MS/PhD (Sep 2020 – Present) — Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- BS (Sep 2015 – Jun 2019) – Microelectronics Science and Engineering, Wuhan University, China
XIANGYU BAI
PHD STUDENT
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
- PhD in ECE, Northeastern University, 2023-Present
- MS in ECE, Northeastern University, 2021-2023
- BS in Computer science Chongqing University, Chongqing, China, 2018-2021
SHAYDA MOEZZI
PHD STUDENT
“I can see nothing,” said I, handing it back to my friend. “On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences.” Sherlock Holmes
- PhD in ECE, Northeastern University, 2024-Present
- BS in Computer Science and Engineering, 2020-2024
BISHOY GALOAA
MS STUDENT
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Albert Einstein
- Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration: Machine Learning, Northeastern University Boston, MA, 2022-Present
UTSAV NANDI
MS STUDENT
“We’ve always defined ourselves by the ability to overcome the impossible. And we count these moments. These moments when we dare to aim higher, to break barriers, to reach for the stars, to make the unknown known. We count these moments as our proudest achievements. But we lost all that. Or perhaps we’ve just forgotten that we are still pioneers. And we’ve barely begun. And that our greatest accomplishments cannot be behind us, because our destiny lies above us.” Cooper from Interstellar
- Master of Science in Computer Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
Sai Siddhartha Vivek Dhir Rangoju
MS STUDENT
“You make your own luck if you stay at it long enough.” Naval Ravikant
- Master of Science in Computer Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering, Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India
Sai Anish Sreeramagiri
MS STUDENT
“We are not our failures. We are not who we were. We must always try to be better.” Kratos
- Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Technology in Artificial Intelligence, Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India
DHANUSH Balakrishna
MS STUDENT
“I don’t have dreams, I have goals.” Harvey Specter
- Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University, India
VICTORIA BERRY
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (ALUMNI) & UG STUDENT
“Realize that if a door closed, it’s because what was behind it wasn’t meant for you.” Mandy Hale
- Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) (09/2024-Present)– Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- North Quincy High School
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Alumni
MICHAEL WAN
SENIOR COMPUTATIONAL SCIENTIST (ALUMNI)
“It’s not the warm illusion / Nor the crack in the plate / Nor the breath of confusion / Nor the starkness of slate” Adrianne Lenker
- Position after ACLab: Research Scientist at Experiential Artificial intelligence (EAI) Institute
- Postdoc in Mathematics (2017–2019)—Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- PhD (2017)—Logic and the Methodology of Science, UC Berkeley
- HonBSc (2010)—Specialist in Mathematics and Physics, Major in Philosophy, University of Toronto
LINGFEI LUAN
EAI POSTDOC (ALUMNI)
“There is nothing permanent except change.” Heraclitus
- Position after ACLab: Research Scientist at University of Minnesota
- PhD (2021) Neural and Cognitive Science-Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, USA
- MS (2016) Media and Communication Studies-Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, USA
- MS (2010) Performing Arts, Film and Broadcast Studies-University of Paris VIII, Paris, France
- BS (2008) Film Production-Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, China
SHUANGJUN LIU
PHD STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds.“ Theo Jansen
- Position after ACLab: Researcher of Mobile AI @ Qualcomm
- PhD Dissertation Title: “United Human Pose: Integrating Domain Knowledge and Machine Learning”
- PhD (Jan 2017–July2022) ECE – Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- MS (2012) Mechatroincs Engineering – Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- BS (2009) Mechatronics Engineering – Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
AMIRREZA FARNOOSH
PHD STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Rumi
- Position after ACLab: Machine Learning Scientist at Liminal Sciences
- PhD Dissertation Title: “Unsupervised Learning of Low-Dimensional Dynamical Representations from Spatiotemporal Data”
- Doctor of Philosophy (Sep 2016–present)—ECE, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
- MS (2016) Biomedical Engineering (Bioelectrics)—University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- BS (2011) Electrical Engineering (Communications)—Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
BEHNAZ REZAEI
PHD STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.” André Gide
- Position after ACLab: Senior Engineer–Computer Vision & Machine Learning @Qualcomm
- PhD Dissertation Title: “Low-dimensional Representation of Visual Dynamics towards Animal/Human Behavior Monitoring”
- Doctor of Philosophy (Jan 2016–May 2020)—ECE, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
- Master of Science (2009-2012)—Electronics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
- Bachelor of Science (2005-2009)—Electronics, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
DAVOUD HEJAZI
PHD STUDENT – CO-ADVISED (ALUMNI)
“The night is darkest just before dawn.” Thomas Fuller
- Position after ACLab: Senior Data Scientist–Titan Advanced Energy Solutions
- PhD Dissertation Title: “Dispersion-Free Accurate Color Estimation using Layered Excitonic 2D Materials and Machine Learning”
- PhD Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, US, 2015 – 2022
- M.Sc Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, US, 2015 – 2017
- M.Sc Physic, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, 2007 – 2010
- B.Sc Physics, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran, 2002 – 2006
MOHSEN NABIAN
VISITING SCHOLAR (ALUMNI)
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” Omar Khayyam
YU YIN
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“When I had nothing to lose, I had everything.” Paulo Coelho.
- Position after ACLab: PhD student at SMILE lab
- Master Thesis Title: Affective Pose: Facial & Physiology Expression of Emotion (Defense Date: Dec 3, 2018)
DIVYANG TEOTIA
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“An intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself.” Albert Camus
- Position after ACLab: Deep Learning Engineer at Intel
- Master Thesis Title: Interpreting Face Inference Models using Hierarchical Network Dissection
NIHANG FU
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Learning is like sailing against the current; if you don’t advance, you’ll retreat.” Unknown
- Position after ACLab: PhD student at University of South Carolina
- MS Thesis Title: “Data Efficient Infant Pose and Posture Recognition”
- MS (Sep 2019 — present) — Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- BS (Sep 2015 — Jun 2019) — Electrical Engineering and Automation, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, China
SHRUNALI SURESH SALIAN
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?” Steve Jobs
- Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 2023-2024.
- Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India, 2019-2022.
TREVOR POWERS
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Love the hand fate deals you and play it as your own.” Marcus Aurelius
- Position after ACLab: Army Training at Augusta GA
- The Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership Project: Casualty Status Communication Tool (CSCT): An End-to-end Pipeline for Battlefield Casualty Status Documentation
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Northeastern University, September 2021-2023
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Honors, Minor in Cybersecurity, United States Military Academy
KATHAN VYAS
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Curiosity leads to innovations…which in turn leads to inventions…be curious to invent.”
- Position after ACLab: PhD student at Texas A&M
- MS Thesis Title: “Data Efficient Analysis of Human Behavior by Spatio-Temporal Pose Generation and Inference”
KASHISH JAIN
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Work with the smartest people you can, hopefully smarter than you . . . be persistent, don’t give up easily. Be guided by beauty . . . it can be the way a company runs, or the way an experiment comes out, or the way a theorem comes out, but there’s a sense of beauty when something is working well, almost an aesthetic to it.” Jim Simons
CHOLPADY VIKRAM KAMATH
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“The highest forms of understanding we can achieve are laughter and human compassion.” Richard P. Feynman
- Position after ACLab: Software Engineer – Computer Vision at Fizio Health
- Master Thesis Title: An edge-friendly development of human pose estimation in extreme and private conditions (Defense Date: April 20th, 2023)
- MS, Robotic, Northeastern University, 2021-2023
- B.E, Information Science and Engineering, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, 2013-2017
PRATEEK GULATI
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” Gerard Way
- MSAI, Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, USA, 2021 – Present
- BTech. in Computer Science Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Shiv Nadar University, India, 2013 – 2017
SAI KUMAR REDDY MANNE
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Impossible is just an opinion.” Paulo Coelho.
- Master of Science in Computer Science, Northeastern University, Portland, ME
- Bachelor of Technology in Electronics & Communication, National Institute of Technology Warangal, India, Warangal, India
AMAL MATHEW
MS STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different.” Albert Szent-Györgyi
- Master of Science in Computer Science, (09/2022 – 05/2024)– Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Technology (Computer Engineering) (08/2018 – 05/2022) M S Ramaiah university of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India
ADAEZE ONYEKA ADIGWE
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Marianne Williamson
- Position after ACLab: Computer Science MS student at Columbia University
JOHANNA LOEPKE
UG HONOR EARLY RESEARCH ASSISTANT (ALUMNI)
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates.
- Position after ACLab: Software Engineer Co-op, Intuit, San Diego, CA.
MUSKAN KUMAR
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Prefer knowledge to wealth for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.” Socrates
- Massachusetts Bay Community Colleg
JUSTIN HYNES-BRUELL
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” Mahatma Gandhi
- Position after ACLab: Mixed Signal Applications Engineer, Xcerra Corporation, Greater Boston Area.
ISAAC MCGONAGLE
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” Mary Shelley
- Position after ACLab: Undergrad Student at the ECE Department at University of Pittsburgh.
GRACE CARROLL
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.” Aesop
- Position after ACLab: Consumer Wellness Research Co-op @Bose Corporation
NAVEEN SEHGAL
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
- Position after ACLab: Algorithms & Machine Learning Engineer Co-op, Intel Corporation, San Francisco, California.
ROHIT JOSYULA
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” Scott Hamilton
- BS, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Northeastern University, Boston, USA, September 2020 — Present
ALEX MARLEY
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
SAMUEL ZLOTA
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Those who can imagine anything, can create the impossible.” Alan Turing
Position after ACLab: Software Engineer, Amazon Robotics
MAX LEBLANG
UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.”
CALEB LEE
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT & UG STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Spock from Star Trek
SOPHIA FRANKLIN
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” Einstein
FRANKLIN CHEN
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” Amelia Earhart
- North Quincy High school
APARNAA SENTHILNATHAN
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (ALUMNI)
“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” Bill Gates
