Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
My research focuses on biomedical engineering, computing, medical instrumentation design, digital signal processing, and more recently, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. My work on novel instruments for characterizing the electrostatic properties of pharmaceutical aerosols has significantly enhanced the UK's reputation in this field. I have designed several prototypes of innovative instruments for aerosol characterization, such as the PSCA, BCMS, and FBCMC. These instruments enable rapid measurement of the total bipolar charge fractions in aerosol particles, primarily within the inhalable size range of 0.5 to 10 µm. Experimental results from pharmaceutical aerosols have demonstrated that the active drug component, when mixed with a carrier substance, alters the sample's electrostatic properties. This discovery has very important implications for drug formulation and the design of more efficient next-generation medical inhalers. The research was supported by GlaxoSmithKline.
Before joining USW in 2004, I worked as a Research Fellow at Brunel University, where I developed a knowledge-based system to support the design of metal forming processes. This EPSRC-funded project (GR/N21611/01), conducted in collaboration with six industrial partners, contributed to UK competitiveness by reducing engineering overhead costs. The system encapsulated knowledge about various manufacturing processes, materials, design rules, constraints, and costs, and included a software tool to guide designers through component geometry transformations, ensuring compliance with manufacturing rules.
Since 2006 I have led the Biomedical Engineering and Computing Research Group in collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB), REU headed by Professor Colin Gibson. My current research, supported by the EPSRC, KESS, and the NHS, has provided new insights into the assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal deformities, leading to significant proposals for revising clinical protocols for postural assessment. Key achievements with collaborators include designing novel algorithms for anthropometric feature extraction and deformity classification, developing a heuristic method for dynamically controlling a digital skeleton to represent spinal shape from anatomical markers, and creating a new algorithm for identifying anatomical landmarks using a combination of Bayesian probability and iteratively reweighted least squares methods.
Since October 2019, I have served as Principal Investigator (PI) on the project “Clinical Decision Support System for Skin Monitoring and Melanoma Detection Using Machine Learning,” funded by the KESS program and the NHS. The project aims to develop machine learning and advanced image processing algorithms to innovate skin monitoring techniques and early melanoma detection. This project is conducted in collaboration with the Clinical Bioinformatics team at CVUHB and the Institute of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, represented by Dr. Richard Motley.
Experience
I have 28 years of experience in research and teaching in computing and electronics. I earned my M.Eng in Electronics and Computer Science from Krakow University of Technology, Poland, in 1995, and my Ph.D. from Brunel University, West London, UK, in 2003.
Employment History
2024 – Present: Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Science, USW, UK.
2014 – 2024: Associate Professor (Reader), School of Computing and Mathematics, USW, UK.
2004 – 2014: Senior Lecturer, School of Electronics, University of Glamorgan, UK.
2003 – 2004: Research Fellow, Brunel University, UK.
1999 – 2003: Research Student, Brunel University, UK.
1995 – 1999: Lecturer, Krakow University of Technology, Poland.
I have supervised over 50 MSc and M.Eng dissertations, 110 BSc and B.Eng dissertations, 10 Ph.D. dissertations, and 4 Research Assistants, and I have conducted 17 Ph.D. examinations. I have published more than 70 papers in international journals and conference proceedings and secured external research funding totaling over £500,000 from the EPSRC, the Department of Trade, the Welsh Assembly, and the NHS. In July 2016, I was elevated to the grade of Senior Member of the IEEE.
Professional Activities
Reviewer for several highly regarded journals and conferences in the areas of applied computing and signal processing.
Served as a Guest Editor for Sensors Journal. Link to Special Issue
More research info:
Teaching interests
- Over the last 25 years I have taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level including: Undertaking lectures, tutorials and lab demonstrations in the following modules: Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems, Machine Learning and Natural Intelligence, Intelligent Decision Support Systems, Robotics, Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms, Secure Software Development, Object-Oriented Analysis & Design, Software Engineering , Digital Signal Processing, Web Security, E-commerce Implementation, Digital and Analog Electronics, C Programming and Software System Design, Network and Interfaces Fundamentals, Internet Systems, Internet Technologies, Multimedia Technology and Programming.
Expertise
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Biomedical engineering and computing
- Design of electronic instrumentation
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Software design and development
- Knowledge Base Systems and Engineering Knowledge Management
- Mathematical modelling
- Aerosol particle characterization
- Finite element analysis
- Computational particle electrodynamics
Education/Academic qualification
Medical Signal Processing, PhD, Real-time Measurement of Bipolar Charge Distribution on Pharmaceutical Aerosols and Powders Using Phase Doppler Anemometry and a Bipolar Charge Measurement System, Brunel University
5 Oct 1999 → 1 Jun 2003
Award Date: 1 Jun 2003
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Active
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A Smart Sensing System for Continuous Sitting Posture Recognition and Monitoring using Machine Learning and a Mobile App
Kulon, J., Gibson, C., Partlow, A., Verghese, S. & Odesola, D. F.
1/06/23 → 31/12/28
Project: Research
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Explainable AI for Skin Lesion Detection in a Clinical Environment
Kulon, J., Gibson, C., Miknis, M., Partlow, A., Peters, R., Whewell, J. & J Motley, D. R.
1/06/22 → 31/12/28
Project: Research
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Smart Sensing Chairs for Sitting Posture Detection, Classification, and Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review
Odesola, D. F., Kulon, J., Verghese, S., Partlow, A. & Gibson, C., 5 May 2024, In: Sensors. 24, 9, 23 p., 2940.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile23 Downloads (Pure) -
Comparison of Objectives in Multi-Objective Optimization of Ultrasonic Positioning Anchor Placement
Haigh, S., Kulon, J., Partlow, A. & Gibson, C., 11 Jul 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 71, 00, 12 p., 2513212.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile30 Downloads (Pure) -
3D Posture Visualisation From Body Shape Measurements Using Physics Simulation, to Ascertain the Orientation of the Pelvis and Femurs in a Seated Position
Partlow, A., Gibson, C. & Kulon, J., Jan 2021, In: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine. 198, p. 105772 10 p., 105772.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile84 Downloads (Pure) -
Improved Obstacle Mitigation and Localization Accuracy in Narrowband Ultrasonic Localization Systems using RoBCUL Algorithm
Haigh, S., Kulon, J., Partlow, A., Rogers, P. & Gibson, C., 6 Jan 2020, In: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 69, 5, p. 2315-2324 10 p., 8950196.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile55 Downloads (Pure) -
Measuring The Bipolar Charge Distributions of Fine Particle Aerosol Clouds of Commercial PMDI Suspensions Using a Bipolar Next Generation Impactor (bp-NGI)
Rowland, M., Cavecchi, A., Thielmann, F., Kulon, J., Shur, J. & Price, R., 1 Jan 2019, In: Pharmaceutical Research. 36, 15, 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile86 Downloads (Pure)