My interests lie in robot perception, in particular 3D object detection and recognition using vision.

My doctoral project, advised by Dr. Joel Burdick, focused on developing real-time methods for object detection and tracking with various extensions. Two main areas I've focused on are probalistic search with 6-DOF pose estimation (i.e. where's waldo type problem, but think 6D) and sensor-planning for model identification (i.e. where should I move to better discern what I'm looking at?).

Here's a list of my recent publications:

• J. Ma and J. W. Burdick, "Sensor Planning for Object Pose Estimation and Identification," IEEE Int. Workshop on RObotics and SEnsors Environments, 2009.
• J. Ma and J. W. Burdick, "A Probabilistic Framework for Stereo-Vision Based 3D Object Search with 6D Pose Estimation," IEEE Conf. on Robotics and Automation, 2010.
  (Related work recently submitted to IJRR 2010, can be found here.)
• J. Ma and J. W. Burdick, "Dynamic Sensor Planning with Stereo for Model Identification on a Mobile Platform," IEEE Conf. on Robotics and Automation, 2010.

And my recently submitted thesis:

• J. Ma, "Real-time Applications of 3D Object Detection and Tracking," Ph.D Thesis, Mechanical Engineering Department, California Institute of Technology, 2009.

• BS Mechanical Engineering, UCLA, 2004
• MS Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 2005
• PhD Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 2010

Most of my technical experience and evolution has revolved around development on UNIX platforms, primarily Linux. I have done some development in Windows (must say, Visual Studio is Microsoft's greatest product) but for the most part my OS preference is Ubuntu.

• C/C++
• Python
• Java
• Fortran 90
• MATLAB (of course)

• OpenCV (computer vision library)
• GSL (GNU Scientific Library)
• libdc1394-2 (a camera interface library)
• OpenGL with FLTK (fast light toolkit offers an easy way to interface with OpenGL)

• Player / Stage / Gazebo (pretty useful if you need a 2D/3D simulator for your platform)
• ROS (Willow Garage is supporting this and I must say, rather impressive)

I recently defended and am now working at JPL in the computer vision group under the supervision of Dr. Larry Matthies. While I'm still getting setup there, the best way to contact me is via e-mail.