William Harman

Harman Recognized by UW for Outstanding Thesis

July 10, 2006 - William (Will) Harman of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department was recognized by the university with an Outstanding Thesis Award for 2006. The award recognizes outstanding thesis completed at the university during the academic year. Harman's thesis, "Biomimetic Analog Machine Vision System Characterization and Application," was one of five recognized with the prestigious award university wide.

Harman began his master's degree work after completing dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering and Computer Science at UW in May 2003. His graduate work centered on developing a vision sensor based on the fly's vision system and fully characterizing its response. The fly's vision system exhibits some phenomenal properties that if duplicated in electronic systems will provide breakthroughs in developing the next generation of high speed imaging sensors. Harman developed an algorithm that allows the sensor to localize a line stimulus placed in its field of view. This algorithm is impervious to changes in contrast between the stimulus and its background. Harman's mentor for the project was Dr. Steve Barrett of the ECE Department. The project was supported by a grant from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Upon graduation Harman accepted a position as an electrical engineer with the Sensors and Platforms Branch of the Missile Guidance Division, Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, California. Harman is originally from Lewiston, Montana. He and his wife Diana and two children, Lisa and Spencer, now reside in China Lake, California.