Principal Investigator :
Hamed Dalir (He/His)
Associate Professor
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
University of Florida
PD, University of California – Berkeley, USA 2016
Ph.D., Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan 2014
M.Sc., Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan 2011
Email: hamed (dot) dalir (at) ufl (dot) edu
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Dr. Hamed Dalir is a researcher who specializes in quantum AI, Semiconductor Laser, and high-speed photonics computing. He was the co-founder and CEO of Optelligence LLC from 2020 to 2023, where he oversaw the development, construction, and validation of a variety of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence devices, ASICs, D/A converters, blockchains, and secure hashing algorithms. Dr. Dalir has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field, including the prestigious Yoshida Foundation Award for the Development of Future Leaders for Changing Times and the JSPS “Young Scientist Fellowship” in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Dr. Dalir’s research has been supported by a range of organizations, including AFWERX, AFOSR, NASA, Army, AFRL, NIST, ONR, BAH, Broadcom, and private investors. He has published over seventy scholarly articles in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Light Science & Applications, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Optica, Laser Photonics Review, and Applied Physics Review. In addition, Dr. Dalir has delivered over a hundred keynote addresses, invited talks, and topic lectures at universities and international conferences.
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Editorships: EPJ Quantum Technology | Frontiers in Electronics | APL Photonics
Postdoc:
Haoyan Kang
Ph.D., The George Washington University, USA 2023
MSc., The George Washington University, USA 2019
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Dr. Kang has significantly expanded his expertise through a pivotal role, delving deep into advanced fields such as free-space optics, Fourier Optics, optical computing, optoelectronics, nano-photonics, photonics integrated chips, and optical convolutional neural networks. In 2023, he was the first author of a groundbreaking article in the Applied Physics Review that highlighted the potential of optical cryptography. He is also a proud and active member of esteemed professional organizations in the optics and photonics domain, including IEEE, OSA, and SPIE.
Ph.D. Students:
Jiachi Ye
MSc., The George Washington University, USA 2020
BSc., Shenyang Aerospace University, China 2018
Jiachi is an Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) doctoral student at the University of Florida. Jiachi possesses a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in ECE, with an emphasis on image processing, micro-control unit (MCU) programming, convolutional neural network (CNN) training, and free-space optical system design. His main objective is to investigate the physics and uses of orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams in optical computing. This emerging optical research topic has significant promise for enhancing the capacity of optical data links. He is a member of IEEE, OSA/Optica, and SPIE as a student.
Salem Altaleb
MSc., Wayne State University, USA 2021
BSc., Al Jouf University, Saudi Arabia 2016
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Salem is an Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) doctoral student at the University of Florida. Salem possesses a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in ECE, with an emphasis on practical abilities in computer languages and hardware design. His significant laboratory expertise has enabled him to specialize on convolutional neural network accelerators and optical system projects. In addition, he has extensive experience constructing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), very large-scale integration (VLSI), and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). His research interests include 2D materials and optoelectronic devices. He is a member of IEEE, OSA/Optica, and SPIE as a student.
Belal Jahannia
MSc., Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran 2021
BSc., Shahid Beheshti University, Iran 2018
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Belal is a doctoral student in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Florida. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in ECE. Belal specializes in the efficient hardware implementation of neural networks, focusing on reducing memory requirements for storing neural network weights. His expertise includes techniques such as quantization, memory sharing, model compression, in-memory computing, and hardware-specific optimizations. Belal aims to enhance the efficiency of neural network implementations on platforms like FPGA and ASIC neural network hardware accelerators, bridging the gap between AI algorithms and hardware deployment.
Russell Schwartz (Jointly with Dr. Sorger)
MSc., George Washington University, USA 2022
BSc., George Washington University, USA 2021
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Russell is a doctoral student at the University of Florida, studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. Russell possesses both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in electrical engineering, with focus on communication systems and devices, algorithms, and modern physics. Additionally he has extensive experience in device fabrication procedures, systems optimizations, and in machine learning (ML) training and algorithms. His main research focuses are in optoelectronic devices, optical and photonic computational accelerators, and novel/emerging materials. He is a student member of IEEE.
Joseph Crandall
MSc., George Washington University, USA 2019
BSc., George Washington University, USA 2017
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Joseph Crandall is a Software Engineer II at Microsoft, specializing in areas such as SQL Virtual Machines and Service Fabric performance. With over four years of experience in software engineering and data science, he is proficient in Python, C++, and Java, enabling him to contribute effectively to Microsoft Azure. Simultaneously, Joseph is pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a focus on quantum sensing and computing. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering and dual BS degrees in Computer Science and Physics, as well as a private pilot certificate. Dedicated to advancing the field of software and quantum engineering, Joseph aims to develop technologies that benefit society and the environment. His personal website, josephcrandall.com, provides further details on his work and projects.
Sponsors and Collaborators
Dr. Albert Davydov
Dr. Babak Nikoobakht
