Distinguished Sloan Fellowships Awarded to U-M Engineers
Two promising computer engineers from the College of Engineering have joined the ranks of early-career researchers recognized by the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Thatchaphol Saranurak and Andrew Owens are among the 126 individuals selected for their exceptional creativity and innovation.
The Sloan Research Fellowships are highly competitive and recognize young scholars in the U.S. and Canada with outstanding achievements and potential for leadership in their fields. Recipients are given $75,000 over two years to support their research endeavors.
Thatchaphol Saranurak, a Morris Wellman Faculty Development Assistant Professor, is celebrated for his innovative approach to algorithm design. His work focuses on optimizing graph networks that adapt to changes in real-time systems like social networks and traffic systems, eliminating the need for complete recalculations when new data is introduced.
This advancement has far-reaching applications, including aiding emergency responders in quickly finding optimal routes through disaster-stricken areas. “I feel truly honored to receive the Sloan Research Fellowship. This recognition is both exciting and motivating,” Saranurak shared.
Andrew Owens is recognized for his groundbreaking research in machine perception systems that learn from multisensory data without human labeling. His work spans applications such as audio-visual synchronization and detection of image manipulations. These innovations enhance the capabilities of computer vision systems with minimal human intervention.
Owens expressed gratitude for the recognition: “I’m incredibly grateful to be receiving this award, which will support my research group’s efforts to create computer vision systems that require less supervision from human teachers.”
The University of Michigan boasts a rich history with the Sloan Foundation, having had 183 faculty members receive Fellowships since 1955.
