2008 IEEE Vice President Educational Activities
E. (Litsa) MICHELI-TZANAKOU is Professor II and Director of the Computational Intelligence Laboratories (www.cil.rutgers.edu) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers and an adjunct professor of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Till 2000, Dr Tzanakou was Chair of the Department for 10 years and established the Undergraduate curriculum in the same. She was elected a Founding Fellow of AIMBE in 1993, a Fellow of IEEE (1992) and a Fellow of the New Jersey Academy of Medicine (1986). Her latest book “Supervised and Unsupervised Pattern Recognition: Feature Extraction and Computational Intelligence” was published by CRC Press in January 2000. Dr. Tzanakou co-authored a book with S. Deutsch on "Neuroelectric Systems", published by New York University Press, in 1987. She has edited 7 books as Book editor in the Springer/Plenum Press Biomedical Engineering Series. She has published over 280 scientific papers in journals, conference proceedings and book chapters.
Dr. Tzanakou has established the first ever, experimental Brain to Computer Interface (BCI), using her ALOPEX algorithm, in 1974. This method is now used for target optimization in Parkinson’s disease. ALOPEX has also been used in a wide variety of problems: signal processing, image processing, pattern recognition, transportation and many more.
Her research interests include Biometrics, Neural Networks, Information Processing in the brain, Image and Signal Processing applied to Biomedicine, Mammography, Telemedicine, Hearing Aids and electronic equivalents of neurons. She has graduated 50 Masters and PhDs and currently supervises 5 graduate students.
Evangelia Micheli-Tzanakou received the BS, degree (in Physics) from the University of Athens, Greece (1969) and the MS and PhD degrees (both in Physics) from Syracuse University, Syracuse NY in 1974 and1977 respectively.
IEEE Activities:
COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Expert Now Committee Member (2007); BEWG/EAB (2006-2007); TAB Strategic Planning Committee member, 2007; IEEE Director, Division X (2005-2006); IEEE Technical Activities Board Chair, Nominations and Appointments Committee, 2006; TAB NTDC Biometrics, Chair (2005-present); TAB NTDC BCI Chair, (2006-present); IEEE Medal of Honor Committee Chair, (2004-2006); IEEE Awards Board N&A Committee, Chair (2004-2006); IEEE Awards Board Chair (2002 and 2003); IEEE Awards Board Vice-Chair (2000 and 2001);IEEE (AdHoc) Committee to Review Awards, (2002) (appointed by President Findlay); Vice Chair Awards Board of Policy and Planning Committee (1998-1999); Awards Special Events Chair (1999).
SECTIONS/CHAPTERS: Central New Jersey Section Newsletter Editor (1986) and Awards Chair (1985-1989).
STUDENT BRANCHES: Rutgers University Student Branch Counselor (1981-1988)
The branch received several awards for outstanding SPACs and Membership increases. In 1981 there were only 66 members in the branch. In 1988, the membership had gradually reached over 450 members.
SOCIETIES: CIS Publications Committee (2007); CIS Fellows Committee (2007); CIS Multimedia Committee (2006-2007); President, IEEE Neural Networks Society (2003); President Elect, IEEE Neural Networks Society (2002); IEEE Vice President NNC (2000-2001); IEEE Neural Networks Council, Technical Activities Chair (1999);IEEE/IES Educational Committee Chair (1996-1999); IEEE Neural Networks Council, Conferences Committee (1998-1999); IEEE/EMBS Adcom, Publications Committee (1999); IEEE/EMBS Adcom Representative to NNC (1998-1999); IEEE/EMBS Awards Committee (1998-1999); IEEE-USA Activities Board on Biomedical Technology (1995-present); IEEE/EMBS Fellows Committee (1996-1998);IEEE/NNC-IES Representative (1992-1997); IEEE/EMBS Adcom Member at Large (elected position), two terms (1996-1999); IEEE Neural Networks Council, Fellows Committee (1992, 1995, 1996); IEEE IES Adcom (1994-2000);IEEE Council on Neural Networks, Secretary (1990-1991); IEEE Council on Neural Networks, Bylaws Committee Chair (1989-1991); IEEE Ad Hoc Committee on Standards on Neural Networks, Chair (1989-1991); IEEE Committee on Standards, Chair of Paradigms Working Group (1991-1999); IEEE Neural Network Committee, Secretary (1989-1990); IEEE Neural Network Committee, EMBS Representative (1987-1989); IEEE Frontiers in Medical Care (1985).
CONFERENCES: Biometrics Consortium, IEEE Liaison to the Biometrics Symposium, (2006 and 2007);International Symposium on Neural Networks, Advisory Committee, (2007) Nanjing, China; Honorary Chair, IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence (SSCI’07), (2007);Steering Committee of Computational Committee for Homeland Security and Personal Safety, (2006);ISEI 5, 5th International Conf. on Ecological Informatics, Santa Barbara, Program Committee, (2006); CIBB’06 Third Int. Meeting on Computational Intelligence Methods for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Program Committee (2006); Intern. Conference in Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN’06), International Steering Committee, (2006); IEEE Int. Workshop on Measurement Systems for Homeland Security, Contraband Detection and Personal Safety, (2006); IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence, President’s Forum, (2006); CIHSPS’ 06 Computational Intelligence for Homeland Security and Personal Safety, Steering Committee, (2006); VECIMS’06 International steering committee, (2006);CIMSA’06 International steering committee (2005-2006); IASTED Intern. Assoc of Sci. and Tech., Biomed’05, (2005); International Program Committee, (2005); CIHSPS’ 05 Computational Intelligence for Homeland Security and Personal Safety, Steering Committee, (2005); CIBB’ 05 2nd International Meeting on Computational Intelligence Methods for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, (2005); ACIDCA-ICMI’05 International Program Committee Member, International Conference on Machine Intelligence, (2005); IJCNN’ 04 International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, Gen Co-Chair, (2004); CIHSPS’ 04 Computational Intelligence for Homeland Security and Personal Safety, Steering Committee, (2004); IASTED Intern. Assoc of Sci. and Tech., Biomed’04, International Program Committee, (2004); ISEI’04 4th Conf. of the Inter. Society of Ecological Informatics, (2004); 2nd Summer School on Emerging Technologies in Biomedicine, Intern. Scientific Committee, (2004); CIMSA’ 04 International Symposium on Computational Intelligence for Measurement Systems and Applications, General Co-Chair, (2004); BIBE 2004, Taiwan, Steering Committee, (2004); IASTED Intern. Assoc of Sci. and Tech., Biomed’04, Biomed’03, International Program Committee, (2003 ); CIMSA’ 03 International Symposium on Computational Intelligence for Measurement Systems and Applications, General Co-Chair, (2003); CIMSA’ 03 International Symposium on Computational Intelligence for Measurement Systems and Applications, Session Chair: Neural Network Applications, (2003); BIBE 2003, Plenary Speaker and Organizing Committee, (2003); Program Committee, SPIE, Applications and Science of Neural Networks, Fuzzy Systems and Evolutionary Computation, (2002); General Co-Chair VIMS, IEEE International Symposium on Virtual and Intelligent Measurement Systems, (2002); 9th International Conference on Neural Information Processing (ICONIP’02), Program Committee, (2002); ANNIE’02, Conference Committee, (2002); International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, Organizing Committee, (2002); IEEE NanoSystems, 2001 Conference Committee, (2001); Non-Linear Signal and Image Processing (NSIP), Program Committee, (2001); IEEE Conference on Nanotechnology, Program Committee, (2001); International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, Organizing Committee, (2000); IEEE World Congress on Neural Networks, Organizing Committee, 2000; Conference Chair, IEEE ITAB ’98 an International Workshop in Information Technology in Biomedical Engineering,1997-1998;Conference Chair, IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics,(ISIE ‘95) ; Organizing Committee of ISIE ‘97-98; Organizing Committee of ISIE ‘96 Track of Emerging Technologies (Chair),1995-1996; IEEE/EMBS Annual Conference, International Committee Chair, Nov 1994;IEEE/EMBS Workshop Organizer, Nov 1994; IEEE/EMBS Neural Networks Symposium Organizer Nov 1994;IEEE/EMBS Visualization Session Chair, Nov 1994;IEEE/EMBS Neural Network Track Chair, Nov 1994; IEEE/EMBS Neural Network Track Chair, Nov 1991; IEEE/EMBS Workshop Organizer, Oct 1993; International Conference on Digital Signal Processing, July 1993 ; International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, Program Committee and Publicity Co-Chair, Nagoya, Japan, Oct 1993; Publications Chair, 19th IEEE Northeast Bioengineering Conference, March 1993; Program Committee and Invited Speaker- Rostov, Russia,RNNS/IEEE Symposium on Neuro-informatics & Neuro-computers, 1992, 1995; International Biomedical Engineering Days, Symposium Organizer, 1992; Biomedical Applications of Parallel Processing and Artificial Neural Systems and Plenary Speaker, Istanbul, Turkey,1992; IEEE/IES Emerging Technologies Council, Technical Committee on Industrial Applications of Neural Networks, Chair,1992-1998; IEEE/EMBS Workshop Co-Organizer,1991; IEEE/EMBS, Neural Networks Track Chairperson, 1989-1991; 10th, 11th, 12th Ann. International Meetings IEEE/EMBS Chair, IEEE/EMBS Technical Committee on Neural Networks.
OTHER:
EDITORSHIPS:
Editorial Board, IEEE Trans. On Nano-BioScience (2002-present); Editorial Board Biomedical Engineering On Line (2001-present ); Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks (2000-2006 and 1989-1992); Book Series Editor in Biomedical Engineering, Springer/Plenum/Klewer (1999-2006); Book Series Editor, Biomedical Systems, IES Book series, CRC Press (1997-2004); Editorial Board, IEEE Trans. Biomedical Information Tech.(1997-2001); Editorial Board, International J. On Advanced Computational Intelligence (1997-2003).
FELLOWSHIPS:
Elected IEEE Fellow in 1992, ‘For Contributions to the Application of Neural Networks to the Analysis of the Operation of the Visual System”, Founding Fellow, American Institute for Medical & Biological Eng. (AIMBE), in 1993 “ In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Medical and Biological Engineering”; Fellow, Douglass College; member of Sigma Xi and Eta Kappa Nu “In Recognition of Excellent scholaship….”, Listed in American Men and Women in Science “For Outstanding Contributions in the Physical and Biological Sciences”, Honorary Member of the British Brain Research Association, Honorary Member of the European Brain and Behavior Society.
AWARDS:
Meritorious Service Award, IEEE-CIS, 2006
NJ Women of Achievement Award, 1995, “For Outstanding Contributions to Biomedical Engineering”
Featured in the “Notable Twentieth Century Scientists, 1994 pp. 1320-1321
Achievement Award, Society of Women Engineers, 1992, “For Outstanding Contributions to the Understanding and Modeling of the Visual System with Neural Networks”
Outstanding IEEE Branch Advisor/Counselor Award, 1985 “In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions as Student Branch Counselor”
Cited as a Pioneer in the IEEE Web page (http://www.ieee.org/innovators)
PAPER PRIZES:
Micheli-Tzanakou, E. and Iezzi, R., "Multi-unit Recordings Analyzed by Stroke Density Calculations," 38th ACEMB (1985), First Prize
Micheli-Tzanakou, E. and Gaertner, J., "Quantitative and objective measures on Screen Analysis, HICSS-18 on Systems Sciences, III, 154-159 (1985), (One of the BEST seven papers in the Hawaiian International conference on Systems Science)
Ciaccio, E. and Micheli-Tzanakou, E.: "A Least Squares Algorithm with one phase weight for adaptive cancellation of noise from Biomedical Signals", 18th Northeast Bioeng. Conf. March 12-13, 43-44, (1992). (First Prize Award )
Wojnicki, P., Uyeda, E. and Micheli-Tzanakou, E. “Quantifying the Effect of Colorization On Mammogram Images” SPIE Proc. SPIE Vol. 4686, p. 290-299, Medical Imaging 2002: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, Dev P. Chakraborty; Elizabeth A. Krupinski; Eds. (2nd Place Prize) 2002.
Position Statement: It is an honor and a challenge to be nominated for VP of the IEEE Educational Activities Board (EAB). My personal commitment is that if elected, I will collaborate with all pertinent OUs in IEEE, both with volunteers and staff members, in order to strengthen the ties of EAB activities with those of TAB and other units. I consider such an election a privilege and if elected, I will devote a considerable amount of time in performing the duties of the VP with integrity and collegiality.
I have been involved with IEEE for 26 years and have served IEEE in many different capacities, from student branch counselor to Society President (NNS), IEEE Awards Board Chair and Division X Director. I am a member of four IEEE societies. My knowledge and experience in these areas will be of value to EAB, the Institute and its societies.
I am Professor at Rutgers University since 1981; for 26 years I have taught in the department of Biomedical Engineering and before that in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering where I am still a member of the graduate faculty. I am also on the Graduate Faculty of Computer Science as well the UMDNJ department of Neuroscience. As a member of these graduate faculties I supervise graduate students in their research, in each department. I have developed and taught a variety of courses and so far, I have graduated 50 PhDs and MS students in a broad spectrum of areas. I have also led the Department of Biomedical Engineering as a Chair, for ten years (1990-2000) and as a co-director of the graduate program in Biomedical engineering, co-sponsored by UMDNJ. I have instigated and developed the undergraduate curriculum in Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering originally was only a graduate program.
My experience in education and a an IEEE volunteer of many facets makes me suitable in dealing with educational matters. This is the main reason why I have decided to accept the nomination for VP of EAB. However, I am very aware of the difficulties and challenges that come with this position. In the last few years, EAB has initiated a number of new programs, which have been developed and progressed to the point that it will be difficult for any new comer to do anything new and important. At the same time, even maintaining the momentum in all these excellent programs, evaluating them and augmenting the successful ones, while may be sun-setting the less successful ones, requires a lot of attention, so that IEEE can acquire a larger membership and enjoy long-term benefits from these educational activities.
For 2008, the plans that I have and would like to concentrate on, if elected, are:
Continue and augment Expert Now: This excellent program is in place for a few years. As everything in IEEE, it needs to be periodically reviewed in a critical manner. I plan to make an effort to populate it by new courses in emerging technologies, while at the same time sun-setting courses that do not appear to attract our members and outside “customers”. The popularity of all courses will be assessed by setting in place metrics. Improvements can be made such as adding narratives to all courses.
Try Engineering, the pre-college program is growing all over the world and definitely has to be continued with more attractive modules so that new talents can be attracted to engineering.
Model curricula, is another project that can be set up and developed. Already, three model curricula in Biometrics are under development with my active participation and guidance. Templates for different disciplines will be developed.
Professor training by experts especially in new technologies will be one of the major efforts in 2008. This program is different from the Teacher in Service Program (TISP) which is mainly for pre-University students. Many emerging technologies developed by NTDC need to be made known to Engineering curricula and College Professors also need to be trained to these new technologies. One week long summer or winter schools will be organized by EAB. In addition, 1-2 days satellite workshops on specific emerging topics could be organized around conferences.
International accreditation: Efforts will be continued following the directions that EAB has already made.
Webinars: will be initiated for hands on experience with some courses. Possibly software for simulations on-line for Expert Now courses could be the solution.
Incorporation of MATLAB in Expert Now could be investigated with Mathworks.
Sponsor workshops and summer schools on emerging technologies. The content of those can become model curricula and also become Expert Now courses.
Create e-Zine, once PSPB has a working template, since there is no means of communication in EAB.
Create a wiki/portal for EAB and its activities that will aim to increase public awareness to engineering education activities at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This portal will be similar to wikipedia and would be linked to wikipedia.
A Certification program will be examined for certain technologies and put in place in collaboration with external agencies after research has taken place that proves the applicability and profitability of such an action. This program will make IEEE the place to go for companies and individuals that need a proof of knowledge.
Major Contributions: As Chair and vice-Chair of the Awards Board, I completed a benchmarking study of awards outside IEEE and the way the award ceremonies are performed.
As President of the IEEE Neural Networks Society (NNS), I instigated the name change of the society to Computational Intelligence Society (CIS), in order to incorporate the broad spectrum of all subfields under this more general name. I also established the Women in Computational Intelligence Committee (WIC).
As Division X Director, I started the Biometrics Committee under NTDC in 2005. This group is now moving towards becoming a Council under TAB. In 2006, I also established the Brain to Computer Interface (BCI) committee. I also served as Chair of the TAB N&A Committee, replacing the past TAB Chair, who was running for IEEE President.
As Chair of the TAB Biometrics Group moved towards obtaining financial independence including publishing edited books under IEEE Press, offering Tutorials and organizing satellite workshops in conferences. Working with EAB, I am coordinating 3 courses in Biometrics as well as Model Curricula in Biometrics.
Most importantly, I am working towards a Certification Program in Biometrics under EAB which according to the Holmes Co. it is projected that this program will bring a huge income to TAB and EAB.
