In spring 2016, MCL has a new master student, Zhehang Ding. We welcomed him and had an interview with him.
1. Could you briefly introduce yourself? (Previous research experience, project experience, research interest and expertise)
My name is Zhehang Ding, from China. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Hangzhou Dianzi University in Electronic and Information Engineering. In the last year of my undergraduate study I attended a program in Queen’s University Belfast, UK and finished my thesis about augmented reality there. After that, I became a master student in USC to study image processing and pattern recognition.
I have been an amateur astronomer and photographer for about eight years. So playing with images is just like a part of my daily life. I am very interested in the techniques involved as well. Furthermore, I am extremely curious about the nature of consciousness and intelligence, especially about how to teach computer to see and think. It is these interests that led me into image processing first and then the world of computer vision finally . I feel that I really have to learn much more, from both knowledge and methodology, in order to satisfy my curiosity. Therefore I applied a directed research program and joined MCL this semester.
2. What’s your first impression of USC and MCL?
After being living almost all my life in humid eastern China and recently in pastoral Northern Ireland, I feel both strange and curious living in this dessert-like city. USC for me is like a oasis in this dessert, not only for its natural environment and architectures, but also for the active academic atmosphere and its rich cultural activities.
When I first attended the MCL ‘s seminar, I was impressed and actually shocked by these formidable laboratory members who have so much knowledge. I feel that there is a long way to go in order to catch up with them. This feeling is now pushing me to work hard. I do believe this nervousness will make me stronger.
3. What’s your future expectation for MCL?
I wish I will benefit a lot from MCL, in knowledge of computer vision, in making a research, and in making friends as well. These days in MCL will undoubtedly be a precious memory for me, and I hope I can leave a footprint here as well.
