Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award: Professor Dane Brown Honoured for Exceptional Contributions to Computer Vision

In today's interconnected world, the ability to accurately understand and interact with our environment is more critical than ever. Computer vision—the field that teaches machines to "see" and interpret images—is at the forefront of this revolution. From the self-driving cars navigating our roads to the smart security systems protecting our homes, these technologies rely on sophisticated models that can identify and track objects with precision. However, a significant challenge remains: what happens when objects overlap, move in complex ways, or need to be counted on a massive scale? Professor Dane Brown's research tackles these very questions, building on the foundational work in this field to create more robust and adaptable systems.

Professor Brown's work introduces a new approach to a core computer vision task: object localisation and tracking. He has developed an optimised machine-learning model that not only identifies objects but also understands their shape and position with unprecedented accuracy. The implications of this are far-reaching. Imagine a world where we can monitor activity in public spaces more effectively for security purposes, or where we can conduct accurate population counts of marine life to better understand our oceans. By providing a more reliable and generalizable tool, this research offers a critical step forward in a variety of fields, from public safety to ecological conservation, providing a foundation for a new generation of intelligent vision systems.

At this year’s graduation ceremony, Professor Brown was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award, a prestigious recognition of his exceptional contributions to computer-based research and his impact on academia and society.

His interest in computer vision and a deep commitment to using technology for good deeply inspired his academic journey. After completing his Master of Science at the University of the Western Cape, where he explored parallel processing for South African Sign Language recognition, Brown returned to Rhodes University through the convincing of James Connan and Karen Bradshaw for his PhD in Computer Science. His doctoral research focused on multi-modal biometrics, focusing on machine learning, image processing, and artificial intelligence to enhance identity verification systems through multiple biometric inputs such as facial features, voice, and fingerprints.

Now an Associate Professor at Rhodes, Professor Brown is widely respected for his ability to apply academic research to solve real-world challenges. His research explores some of the most exciting and socially impactful areas in computing, including computer vision in agriculture and marine biology, signal processing, and machine learning AI, and information security and biometrics.

Whether developing AI models to monitor crop health, exploring biometric systems to enhance security, or applying image recognition techniques to support marine biodiversity, Professor Brown’s work reflects a powerful blend of technical excellence and humanitarian focus. When asked about the Penguin figurine in his office, Professor Brown explains how “the African penguin, specifically, is critically endangered”.

His influence extends beyond academia. As a member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Brown is part of a growing network of scholars dedicated to advancing science and technology nationally and globally.

Professor Brown is known for his scholarly contributions, dedicated mentorship, and passion for teaching within the Department of Computer Science. “Supervision has always been my passion”. He encourages critical thinking, where graduates are technically skilled and socially conscious. Specifically, Marc Marais and Alden Boby greatly contributed to this recognition. Professor Dane expresses how working with these two students spoke truth to the motto of Rhodes University: Where Leaders Learn.

Reflecting on his award, Professor Brown remains humble: “George Wells and Karen Bradshaw, they have always been mentoring me throughout my career.” He expresses gratitude for the only two professors in the Computer Science Department. “They gave me institutional knowledge”.  

Receiving the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award marks a significant milestone in Professor Brown’s career, but it is unlikely to be his last. As a mentor and an associate professor, his work continues to inspire students and colleagues. When asked how he manages his busy schedule as a researcher and Associate Professor, he chuckled, saying, “Yes, I find that I’m always busy”.

Professor Dane Brown believes that success in research, or any field, for that matter, is rarely a solo effort. He ends the interview with essential advice: “Find your mentor, your collaborator, friend or colleague that can help you through that journey”.

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Title:  Optimising Object Localisation and Tracking for Human and Marine Life Monitoring

Abstract:

This research optimises object localisation in computer vision by refining machine learning model architectures and mathematical loss functions that enable accurate Oriented Bounding Boxes and Segmentation masks. This involves improving the detection of complex and overlapping objects for subsequent tracking and counting. Practical applications include security and surveillance (e.g., activity monitoring), biometrics (e.g., person/animal verification or identification), and ecological monitoring (e.g., land and marine wildlife population counts). The overall aim is robust, generalisable models for state-of-the-art performance across diverse scenarios, providing foundational AI tools in computer vision applications.