CV

Basics

Name Alexandre Symeonidis-Herzig
Label PhD Researcher in Computer Vision
Email a.symeonidisherzig@gmail.com
Url https://github.com/ash-fortyfive
Summary PhD researcher applying machine learning to real-world problems in computer vision, 3D graphics, and human motion synthesis. Experienced in developing end-to-end deep learning systems, from multi-view data capture and preprocessing to model training and evaluation. Focused on generative modeling and building people-centered AI for communication and expression.

Work

  • 2023.09 - Present
    Graduate Teaching Assistant
    University of Surrey
    Part of the team delivering labs for CS and EEE courses, providing lab instruction and technical mentoring.
    • Covered COM1031 (Computer Logic), EEE1035 (C Programming), EEE2048 (Algorithms)
    • Completed GTA training to enhance teaching, feedback, and teamwork skills
  • 2022.06 - 2022.09
    Summer Research Intern
    University of Surrey
    Research on multi-agent reinforcement learning strategies for UAV access control, with a focus on reproducibility and model efficiency.
    • Reimplemented baselines from Matlab to PyTorch for reproducible experimentation
    • Designed and trained deep policy networks using DQN
    • Evaluated agent coordination strategies in simulated environments
  • 2021.06 - 2022.06
    Associate Development Engineer
    Sky Group
    Collaborated with an agile engineering team to develop computer vision tools for automated set-top box validation, integrating OCR pipelines into production workflows.
    • Built OCR pipelines for detecting on-screen text and anomalies in video streams
    • Deployed computer vision tools for regression testing in content validation workflows
    • Refactored legacy systems from Python 2 to Python 3, improving stability and maintainability
    • Worked within an agile scrum framework, managing project tasks with Jira and participating in daily stand-ups

Volunteer

  • 2023.09 - 2024.06
    Societies Chair
    University of Surrey Students' Union
    Oversaw the Student's Union societies, supporting over 150 student-led groups and leading monthly meetings.
  • 2019.09 - 2025.06
    Committee Member / Founder
    University of Surrey Societies
    Founded GameDev Society; held leadership roles in GameSoc and EARS societies.

Education

  • 2023.09 - 2027.09
    PhD
    University of Surrey
    Computer Vision
    • Thesis Working Title: Translation and Production of Non-Manual Features for Sign Language
  • 2019.09 - 2023.06
    BEng (Hons)
    University of Surrey
    Electronic Engineering
    • Graduated with First Class Honours
    • Computer Vision
    • Computer Graphics
    • C++ and Object-Oriented Design
    • Computer Algorithms and Architecture

Publications

  • 2025.07.15
    VisualSpeaker: Visually-Guided 3D Avatar Lip Synthesis
    arXiv preprint [Accepted at ICCV Workshops]
    Proposed a visual speech-driven method for generating high-fidelity 3D avatar lip motion, using a visual speech recognition model to supervise 3D Gaussian Splatting renders, boosting perceptual realism and accuracy.

Skills

Languages & Frameworks
Python
PyTorch
OpenCV
Tools
Docker
Git
Weights & Biases
LaTeX
Linux
SLURM
Specialized
3D Morphable Models
Unreal Engine
Neural Rendering
3DGS

Languages

English
Professional proficiency
German
Working proficiency
Dutch
Working proficiency
Greek
Working proficiency

Interests

Research
Computer Vision
3D Graphics
Human Motion Synthesis
Sign Language Translation
Hobbies
Game Development
Board Games
Climbing
Weightlifting

Projects

  • 2025.05 - 2025.08
    PokerGym: Multi-Agent Poker Environment
    • Developed fully custom multi-agent environment using PettingZoo’s AECEnv API and Gymnasium integration
    • Implemented full training pipeline using Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), including reward tracking and action masking
    • Simulated realistic betting, turn-taking, and side-pot resolution to support advanced strategy learning
    • Designed for reproducibility and extensibility in research workflows
  • 2023.09 - 2024.09
    Volumetric Sign Capture System
    • Designed hardware using Raspberry Pis and high-quality cameras
    • Built camera synchronization modules and custom control software
    • System supports multi-view capture for dataset creation used in training facial motion synthesis models
  • 2022.09 - 2023.06
    Marker-less Motion Capture for Signing Avatar
    • Built a pipeline combining MediaPipe, custom uplift network, and Unreal Engine Metahumans
    • Demonstrated real-time signing avatar driven from monocular video