Photo of Kristopher Reese

Kristopher W. Reese is a doctoral student at the University of Louisville with strong research interests in Machine Learning, General Intelligence, and Image Processing.  He received his Master’s degree at the University of Louisville in May 2011 and received both a Baccalaureate of Science in Computer Science and a Baccalaureate or Arts in Music Performance from Hood College in Frederick, MD in May 2009.  Kris is currently working with Yufeng Zheng at Alcorn State University and Adel Elmaghraby at the University of Louisville on Long-wavelength Infrared (Thermal) Facial Recognition, and also works as an Instructor of Computer and Information Technologies at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

Computer Science

Kris began research at Hood College with Ahmed Salem and George Dimitiglou.  Original research was in Jamming Detection and Avoidance.  He published two papers on the topic before moving into research in Digital Image Processing.  His final research project, a requirement for the school worked with use of Web Cameras and simple control of virtual objects using the web camera as a tool, several years prior to the XBOX Kinect system.  This research led to a publication at the CGAMES ’09 conference.

During his undergraduate years, Kris also worked as a web programmer at Yakabod.  During his time there, he worked with PHP, XML, Javascript, and other web technologies to help create and maintain a large-scale knowledge network that is used both commercially and by the government.

Upon completion of his Baccalaureate degrees he went on to the University of Louisville to continue his work towards receiving a terminal degree in Computer Science.  During this time, he began researching the more artistic side of science by writing a thesis on Computationally Generated Music.  This research involved use of Probabilistic methods such as Markov Decision Processes and Geometric Orbifolds – as per Tymoczko’s music theory research.

Kris also began working as an Instructor of Computers and Information Technologies at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.  He has taught classes ranging from Computer Maintenance to Database Design and Computer Programming.  He is currently on a temporary leave of absence to pursue research towards his doctoral degree.

Kris is currently working with Yufeng Zheng at Alcorn State University doing research under a Department of Homeland Security’s SERRI grant using Long-wavelength Infrared imaging for Facial Recognition.  This topic will ultimately lead into his doctoral thesis.

Music

During his undergraduate degree, Kris was a musician for many of the ensembles at Hood College.  Kris took a lead role as the primary saxophonist in the hood college wind ensemble and performed for the jazz ensemble as well.  He has performed with multiple honors and awards from Hood College for performance.  In March 2009, Kris performed his senior recital with pianist David Conway, performing predominantly classical compositions.  He performed as a soloist with the Wind Ensemble and Choral Ensembles (as a saxophonist).

Kris has also worked with many composers, and has premiered pieces from several Hood College composers – including composer Jerry Gentry’s “Sonata for Reeds” and multiple compositions by composer Jennifer Huntoon.  Kris is also an active arranger of music and has arranged several compositions for Wind Ensembles and small Chamber Ensembles.

After moving to Louisville, Kris served as the Tenor Saxophonist for the Louisville Saxophone Quartet until the quartet was disbanded in December 2010.  He has also played Soprano, Alto, and Tenor with various chamber and community ensembles around the Louisville area, as well as helping with the ECTC concert band.