Academy Professor Guoying Zhao awarded 2024 Maria Petrou Prize

Guoying Zhao, Academy Professor at the University of Oulu, Finland, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Maria Petrou Prize by the International Association for Pattern Recognition (IAPR). Zhao was recognised for her significant contributions

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Dec 11 2024
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Academy Professor Guoying Zhao

Guoying Zhao, Academy Professor at the University of Oulu, Finland, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Maria Petrou Prize by the International Association for Pattern Recognition (IAPR). Zhao was recognised for her significant contributions to video analysis, particularly in facial micro-behaviour recognition and remote photoplethysmography (RPPG) for heart rate analysis and face anti-spoofing.

The Maria Petrou Prize celebrates the legacy of Professor Maria Petrou, renowned for her scientific excellence and her role as a trailblazer for women researchers. The award acknowledges outstanding women scientists in the field of pattern recognition who serve as role models for established and aspiring researchers. The IAPR, founded in 1978, is dedicated to the advancement of pattern recognition, computer vision, and image processing worldwide.

As she accepted the award, Zhao reflected on the significance of this recognition. “As IAPR approaches its 50th anniversary, I am grateful to be recognised by this esteemed organisation. This achievement reflects the inspiration and collaboration I have been fortunate to receive from my colleagues, students, and collaborators. I dedicate this honour to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and look forward to continuing our collective efforts to advance innovation and discovery in this dynamic field,” Zhao said.

Zhao highlighted that the award also honours the long-term dedication and expertise of her entire research team at the University of Oulu’s Center for Machine Vision and Signal Analysis (CMVS). She noted the centre's ongoing success, citing the example of her colleague, Professor Matti Pietikäinen, who received IAPR's prestigious King-Sun Fu Prize in 2018 for his pioneering work in texture analysis and facial image analysis.

Zhao's career has been marked by significant achievements and leadership in her field. Originally from China, she earned her PhD in computer science and technology from the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She has been with the University of Oulu since 2005 and began her term as an Academy Professor in 2021, the highest academic position in Finland.

Her research focuses on cutting-edge technologies that enhance video analysis and bio-signal processing, contributing to advancements in facial recognition, health monitoring, and security systems. Zhao's work has not only advanced scientific understanding but has also paved the way for practical applications that impact everyday life.

The Maria Petrou Prize underscores Zhao's role as a leading figure in machine vision and signal analysis, celebrating her dedication to innovation and her influence as a mentor and collaborator in the global research community.