Visiting Researchers

We are always interested in fostering close interactions with color science researchers. In the past, we have had corporate and academic researchers here at RIT for stays of a few months up to two years. Please contact Val Hemink for more details about the program.


Kenichiro Masaoka Visiting Scientist	In December 2011, I came to MCSL from Japan Broadcasting Corporation to do research on color reproduction for future television systems. I am involved in developing UHDTV (Ultra High Definition Television) system which has extremely high resolution to provide sense of presence through broadcasting. Color reproduction of real objects in broadcasting is also important for providing sensation of realness, but it is currently limited due to the color gamut of the HDTV standard. It is exciting for me to be here doing research on wide-gamut system colorimetry for UHDTV. I am very impressed by the wonderful research environment and enthusiastic members of MCSL as well as enjoyable life in Rochester.

Weiping Yang Visiting Scholar	I am a teacher at the School of Physics & Electrics Information, Yunnan Normal University, China. I received my Ph.D. from Beijing Institute of Technology in 2005. My major is Color science and engineering. Before I began my research in color science, I had known the MCSL. I had a dream to go to study in MCSL since then. Now, being awarded a financial support from China Scholarship Council to pursue further research in the USA as a visiting scholar, my dream has come true. My current research interest is the application of multispectral imaging technology to traditional Chinese painting. I am in charge of a Chinese National Natural Science Foundation project in which I use multispectral imaging technology to color reproduction for ancient Chinese artworks. I plan to do some further research on 3D-Spectral Capture which is among MCSL’s current research interests. In September 2011, I came to MCSL. I will study and research under Prof Roy Berns’ direction as a visiting scholar. I will attend some courses and lectures, aiming to understand the trends and methodology in this field. I really cherish this opportunity visiting MCSL. At MCSL, I'm sure I will achieve great progress, and get some advanced ideal and research methodology in my research field.
Tongbo Chen Post-Doctoral Fellow	I was a research associate at Max-Planck-Institut Informatik under the advising of Hendrik P. A. Lensch, Michael Goesele, and Hans-Peter Seidel, and received PhD from Saarland University in 2008. My thesis work is about new 3D scanning techniques for complex scenes, such as surfaces with fine-scale geometric details, translucent objects, low-albedo objects, glossy objects, scenes with interreflection, and discontinuous scenes. From February 2009 to January 2010, I was a postdoctoral research associate at the Graphics Laboratory, Institute for Creative Technologies, University of Southern California. The main research was on polarimetry, designing the next light stage, 3D imaging, computational photography, and image-based modeling/rendering/relighting. On February 2010, I joined MSCL and started the work on image-based 3D modeling of fine art, especially art paintings. The goal of the research is to develop advanced methods for creating rich digital representations of paintings and other cultural heritage objects that can serve as surrogates for archiving, analysis, restoration, reproduction, and scholarship. The fellowship is sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Yiheng Cai Visiting Scholar	I am a visiting scholar from Beijing University of Technology. My research is mainly focused on image processing. One project I am working on is about tongue image acquisition and analysis for Traditional Chinese Medicine. We need to develop an instrument that can provide accurate tongue rendering to perform Traditional Chinese Medicine automatically by analyzing color, texture and other characterization of tongue images. The research achievements can help physicians make objective and quantitative diagnoses and reduce the dependence on their experience and knowledge. During the development of the instrument, we were faced with a problem. That is the color of the image will change when the camera or the illumination is changed. This will have influence on not only the image display but also the analysis results. This is why I came to MCSL. I really want to study and work here to find a good solution for tongue image color reproduction.
Jie Feng Visiting scholar	I am a teacher at the School of Physics & Electrics Information, Yunnan Normal University, China. I received my Ph.D. from Beijing Institute of Technology in 2008. I have been awarded financial support from China Scholarship Council topursue further research in the USA as a post-doctoral fellow. My current research interest is the application of multispectral imaging technology. I plan to do some further research on 3D-Spectral Capture which is a part of MCSL’s current research. In October 2010, I came to MCSL. I plan to study and research under Prof Roy Berns’ direction as a post doctor at the laboratory. Additionally, I will take the opportunity to attend some classroom and research courses. I strongly believe that I can make significant progress in my research on multispectral imaging, 3D- Spectral Capture and research methodology at MCSL.
Rod Heckaman Post-Doctoral Fellow	After retiring from a long career at Eastman Kodak, I completed a Ph.D in Imaging Science under Mark Fairchild. After that, I stayed on in the Munsell Lab as a post-doctoral fellow, where I continue my research and work on various other interesting tasks.

Past Visiting Researchers
Hide Quniba Nikon	I came to MCSL in April, 2007 and started my one-year project on the optimization of the spectral sensitivities of a color image sensor. I work for Nikon in Japan and was involved in the development of the image processing algorithms including image compression, tone rendering and image enhancement. After ten years of that experience, I felt I needed to study the state of the art science of "color" and MCSL was the best place to do it. As soon as I came here, I felt very comfortable with the Lab's atmosphere that the Lab's people are really friendly. So this year must be a great experience for me.
Ichiro Katayama	I have had an opportunity to visit Munsell Color Science Laboratory for one year - from April 2007 to March 2008. I am a faculty member at Miyagi National College of Technology in Japan. My research interest is the quantitative evaluation of perceived whiteness and its latent, visual mechanism. In MCSL, I am conducting psychophysical experiments about whiteness perception to develop experimental apparatus for quantifying perceived whiteness. I now can confirm what we all know - that the MCSL is one of the most outstanding color science laboratories in the world. I am having such a great time with its warm and friendly members in a wonderful research environment.
Philipp Urban	I started my two year PostDoc stay at MCSL in the spring of 2006 to conduct research in the fields of spectral reproduction and multi-ink printing. The project is sponsored by the German Research Foundation. Before I came to the MCSL I developed a color management system for a small company in Hamburg (Germany) and could simultaneously work on my PhD thesis at the Hamburg University of Technology. In order to realize some new ideas in spectral color reproduction I chose the MSCL because of its reputation as one of the world's leading labs in this area. Furthermore, I was fascinated of the multidisciplinary nature of the lab where psychologists, chemists and engineers are working on the same topic. Since my actual background is Mathematics I hope to expand my knowledge in other fields of research like human vision or image quality. It seems to me to be the prerequisite to solve problems in color science.
Manuel Melgosa, Universidad de Granada, Spain	In May 1996 I first visited MCSL for a meeting of the Industrial Color Difference Consortium, which was chaired by Roy Berns and attended by Paula Alessi, Yue Qiao, Dave Alman, Rolf Kuehni, and Alan Robertson, amongst others. At that time, I was also kindly invited by Roy Berns to participate at the University of Rochester in “Horizons in Color Science: a Tribute to David L. MacAdam,” as representative of the Department of Optics of the University of Granada (Spain). Thus, this October 2007 was my second visit to MCSL, now in a new building, which has confirmed my first impression of an extremely professional and kind group of people making excellent research work in colorimetry. During this visit, I have focused my research on color differences with Roy Berns, but I have also enjoyed teaching and discussions with Mark Fairchild, participation as an observer in some visual experiments, presentations from different visitors, etc. My warmest gratitude to Roy Berns and Mark Fairchild, as well as all staff and administrative people in MCSL who made my whole second stay at MCSL very useful and enjoyable.
Rafael Huertas Roa, Universidad de Granada, Spain	Rafael Huertas Roa, Universidad de Granada, Spain. (pict to come) Our short one month visit to RIT was my first time to the USA. Even thought the time was short, it was very interesting to see how people work in MCSL, one of the most important color science laboratories in the world. Specifically, I have learned about color spaces, color differences and different methods to work in this field. But not only has it been very enlightening, I was able to attend to lectures, meetings with visitors from other universities or industries, and other activities of the group. In a month’s time I obtained the general idea of RIT and MSCL in particular. I think one of the most valuable things was meeting people face to face; in spite of communicating easily by email. All the MCSL faculty and staff was really very nice and cheery with me. Thanks. In addition, the amazing visit to the States, I learned that it is quite a different way of life from Europe. I hope to come back in the future.
Yu-Kuo (YK) Cheng	As a Ph.D. student performing research on color vision engineering in National Chiao Tung University (Hsinchu, Taiwan), I do treasure the opportunity for visiting Munsell Color Science Laboratory for a year, from September 2006 through August 2007. High Dynamic Range LCD Systems and Field-Sequential Color LCDs are my current research topics. While those two kinds of systems are acknowledged to exhibit eminent performances better than before, some issues are worth working on not only for academic study but for industrial applications. As for further knowledge about color and vision required, MCSL has been the first priority I was looking for. When I arrived to MSCL, my eyes were caught impressively by the completeness of equipment and experimental environment. Also, the library in MCSL, includes abundant collection of reference books and papers in many aspects of color and vision. By staying an extended period of time, I have benefited greatly by the discussions and courses from the professional and enthusiastic faculty. The general understanding of color engineering is sometimes superficial. Working in MCSL has broadened my understanding of color science. I have to say, it's my good fortune to join this wonderful laboratory, especially with all the warm and friendly members.
Andy Kraushaar	As head of the prepress division at Fogra, Munich, Germany, I am thankful to have a second opportunity to spend time studying as a visiting scholar at the Munsell Color Science Labortory. During my first visit with MCSL in 2004, I was thrilled. It was the first time all my (bugging) questions were answered in great detail and patience. The learning environment was great because you could do your hands on everything (color measurement devices, color books, paints, ...). The atmosphere was very informal, that made everything a lot easier. Despite a lot of homework the courses were very well structered and I was looking for every new class. In comparison to the German way of studying, at least the lessons I learned, the MCSL courses were the perfect trade off between theory and practice; demanding and flexible. During this visit, my objective is to focus on my doctoral research concerning the use of spectral imaging. However, in my humble opinion, my company, Fogra benefits from everything I learned at MCSL and RIT. I joined Fogra in 2001 and I am now responsible for research in the fields of colour management for digital cameras, preflighting production data, contract colour proofing (remote and softproofing). I am in charge of several seminars offered by Fogra such as colour management, basics in printing technology and softproofing. Without my experience from MCSL, I would have missed an essential part of my colour knowledge. Finally, I want to point out the social activities which gave opportunities not only for color related discussions, the ability to reconnect with MCSL faculty, staff and students and I am thankful for having this opportunity.

Rafael Nicolas	Shohei Tsutsumi Canon Inc.	Takayuki Hasegawa Toppan 2002-2004
Paul Kuiper OCE	Hiro Yamaguchi Fuji Photo	Nobuhito Matsushiro Oki Data, Japan
Takayuki Ogasahara Sony, 2002-2004	Kiyotaka Nakabayashi Sony, 2000-2001	Hirokazu Kasahara Seiko Epson, 1999-2001

Last Modified: 5:17pm 22 Feb 12