Umit Kacar, PhD umitkacar

Welcome! I'm Umit KACAR, PhD

🎯 Passionate about making AI accessible, efficient, and impactful for everyone

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it" - Alan Kay

🌟 Senior AI/ML Researcher & Engineer | Algorithm Innovator | Computer Vision & Biometrics Expert 🌟

🔒 Digital Identity & Anti-Spoofing Specialist | 🤖 Generative AI Consultant | 📱 Mobile AI Optimization

🚀 About Me

I'm an AI Researcher & Engineer with 14+ years of AI/ML experience (since 2011) and 7+ years in academia (2 years Master's, 5+ years Doctorate) specializing in Machine Learning for Computer Vision applications. Expert in biometrics with focus on face and fingerprint detection, anti-spoofing and developing innovative algorithms, especially for mobile platforms.

🎯 Current Focus

🌱 Developing low-cost, efficient, and lightweight AI models for resource-constrained environments
🚀 Creating novel, breakthrough algorithms for biometric systems
📱 Optimizing AI models for iOS & Android deployment
🤖 Exploring Generative AI, Large Vision Models, and Multimodal Systems

🎓 Academic Excellence

🎓 PhD in Electronic Engineering - Istanbul Technical University (2013-2019)
- Focus: Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning Algorithms
- GPA: 3.92/4.00
- 🏆 1st Winner in Unconstrained Ear Recognition Challenge (UERC) Competition
🎓 Master's in Electronic Engineering - Istanbul Technical University (2011-2013)
- Focus: Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Embedded Systems
- GPA: 4.00/4.00 - Best GPA in 2013
📚 5+ years of Doctoral research with groundbreaking contributions
📝 10+ Publications in top-tier conferences and journals

📈 Career Journey

timeline
    title Career Milestones & Achievements
    
    2007-2011 : Electronics & Embedded Systems
               : Hardware & System Design
    
    2011-2013 : AI/ML Career Start + Master's
               : Electronic Engineering Master's
               : Best GPA (4.00/4.00)
               : ARM-based Biometric Systems
               
    2013      : Published First IEEE Papers
               : Embedded Biometric Systems
               
    2013-2019 : PhD in Electronic Engineering
               : GPA 3.92/4.00
               : 10+ Research Publications
               
    2018      : ScoreNet Algorithm Development
               : IET Biometrics Journal Publication
               : Private Sector Career Start
               
    2019      : 🏆 1st Place UERC Competition
               : PhD Thesis Completion
               
    2019-2023 : 100+ AI Models Deployed
               : Mobile Biometric Solutions
               : KYC/AML Platform Development
               
    2023-2025 : 🏆 LivDet2023 Winner
               : iBeta Level 2 Certification
               : Generative AI Innovations
               : Continuing Innovation

🛠️ Technical Expertise

Core Specializations

🔐 Biometric Systems & Digital Identity

Multi-biometric expertise: Face, Fingerprint, Iris, Sclera, Ear, Voice, Signature, Palm vein, Palmprint
Applications: Detection, Verification, Recognition, Anti-spoofing (Liveness Detection), DeepFake Detection
Production Systems:
- KYC/AML platforms with document verification (ID Card, Passport, Driver License)
- Hologram detection and document liveness
- iBeta Level 2 certified fingerprint liveness detection
- Contact to contactless fingerprint matching
- Real-time face recognition for mass transit systems
Technologies: ONNX Runtime C++, ncnn, CoreML, TensorFlow Lite
Achievements: LivDet2023 Winner, UERC 2019 Champion

🎨 Generative AI & Large Models

Large Vision Models: SAM, FastSAM, MobileSAM, Paligemma, CLIP, Florence, Flamingo, BLIP, LLaVA
Language Models: ChatGPT 4.5, Claude 3.7, Perplexity, Grok 3, Le Chat, Gemini 2.0, LLama, Mistral
Generative Models: Stable Diffusion, GANs, VAEs
Production Implementations:
- AI Model deployment using ONNX Runtime in C++
- Cryptograph AI Detector & Image Quality Assessment
- Synthetic data generation pipelines with Stable Diffusion
- Face photo editor with beauty tools, background removal, inpainting
- Video object segmentation and matting
Model Optimization: Pruning, Quantization, Knowledge Distillation
AutoLabelling System: 50+ AI models integrated with fusion methods

📱 Edge Computing & Mobile AI

TinyML Implementation: Model optimization for edge devices
Optimization Techniques: Pruning, Quantization, Knowledge Distillation
Neural Architecture Search: Automated model design for efficiency
Mobile Deployment: Real-time biometric systems on iOS (Swift, CoreML) and Android

Tech Stack

Programming Languages

AI/ML Frameworks

Computer Vision & Deep Learning

Mobile Development

MLOps & Cloud

🔬 Research & Expertise Areas

Biometric Systems
_{Face, Fingerprint, Iris
Anti-spoofing & Liveness}

Mobile AI
_{iOS & Android
Real-time Performance}

Generative AI
_{Stable Diffusion, LLMs
Vision-Language Models}

Edge Computing
_{TinyML, Model Optimization
Resource-constrained Devices}

🚀 Major Projects & Achievements

🏆 Award-Winning Projects

🥇 LivDet2023 Winner - Fingerprint Liveness Detection
- iBeta Level 2 Certified Solution
- Implemented using ncnn C++ for mobile deployment
- State-of-the-art anti-spoofing algorithms
🏆 UERC 2019 1st Place - Unconstrained Ear Recognition Challenge
- Developed ScoreNet: Deep Cascade Score Level Fusion algorithm
- Outperformed international research teams

💡 Innovation Projects

AutoLabelling System
- Integrated 50+ AI models using advanced fusion methods
- Automated image segmentation pipeline
- Reduced manual labeling effort by 90%
AI Model Portfolio
- Successfully trained and deployed 100+ AI models
- Specialized in biometric and computer vision applications
- Optimized for mobile and edge devices

🔐 Biometric Systems

Istanbul Metro Face Recognition System
- Real-time face detection, verification & recognition
- Implemented in C++ for high performance
- Handles millions of daily transactions
Contact to Contactless Fingerprint Matching
- Cross-modal biometric matching system
- C++ implementation with ONNX Runtime
- Mobile-optimized for iOS and Android
Multi-Modal KYC/AML Platform
- ID Card, Passport, Driver License verification
- Document liveness and hologram detection
- DeepFake and anti-spoofing protection

🎨 Generative AI & Computer Vision

Advanced Face Photo Editor
- Beauty enhancement algorithms
- Background removal & replacement
- Video inpainting and object segmentation
- Real-time filters and effects
Synthetic Data Generation Pipeline
- Stable Diffusion integration
- Custom image processing workflows
- Advanced augmentation techniques

🌍 Industry Applications

Agricultural AI - Weed & crop detection with multi-spectral cameras
Manufacturing - Steel defect detection system
Automotive - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Security - Video Analytics for IP CCTV systems
Mobile AI - Cryptograph detector & image quality assessment

🏢 Domain Experience

I've delivered AI solutions across multiple sectors:

🔐 Biometrics & Security: Multi-biometric authentication systems
🏥 Healthcare & Medicine: Medical image analysis and diagnostics
🌾 Agriculture: Computer vision for crop monitoring
💰 Fintech: KYC/AML systems, fraud detection
🎬 Film Production: AI-powered visual effects
🚁 Unmanned Vehicles: Autonomous navigation systems

📊 GitHub Analytics

📚 Research Publications

Selected Publications

ScoreNet: Deep Cascade Score Level Fusion for Unconstrained Ear Recognition
- IET Biometrics Journal, 2018
- Introduced Automated Fusion Learning (AutoFL) and Deep Cascade Score Level Fusion
- Key algorithms: CNN (VGG, Inception, ResNet, DenseNet), LBP, LPQ, BSIF, HOG, PCA, LDA
The Unconstrained Ear Recognition Challenge 2019
- ICB 2019 - The 12th IAPR International Conference On Biometrics
- 🏆 1st Place Winner with ScoreNet algorithm
- Novel approach combining deep learning with traditional features
Twins Recognition Using Hierarchical Score Level Fusion
- arXiv.org, 2019
- Multi-modal biometric system using voice and ear features
- Algorithms: LSTM, DTW, MFCC, DenseNet-CNN, HOG, PCA
SCORENET: UNCONSTRAINED EAR RECOGNITION WITH DEEP CASCADE SCORE LEVEL FUSION
- PhD Thesis - Istanbul Technical University, 2019
- Comprehensive framework for ear biometrics
- Novel fusion strategies outperforming state-of-the-art methods
A Multi-Biometrics for Twins Identification Based Speech and Ear
- arXiv.org, 2018
- Innovative approach to challenging twin identification problem
- Combined DTW, MFCC, Gabor Filters, DCVA algorithms
ARM-based Ear Recognition Embedded System
- EUROCON 2013, IEEE
- First real-time ear recognition on ARM Cortex processors
- Optimized PCA implementation using Jacobi iteration
An Embedded Biometric System
- 16th International Conference on Information Fusion, 2013
- Hardware: STM32F407VGT6 ARM Cortex-M4
- Novel embedded implementation of DCVA algorithm

Research Impact

Citations: 100+ (Google Scholar)
h-index: Growing research influence
Key Contributions: Score fusion methods, embedded biometrics, real-time processing

🏆 Featured Open Source Projects

🦻 Ear Segmentation AI

AI-powered ear detection and segmentation using deep learning models. Implementation of cutting-edge computer vision algorithms for biometric applications.

Tech Stack: Python, PyTorch, OpenCV

📚 Awesome LLM Resources

Curated collection of Large Language Model resources, papers, and tools. Comprehensive guide for researchers and practitioners.

Tech Stack: Documentation, Research Papers

📈 Contribution Activity

🏅 Professional Highlights

🎓 PhD in Electronic Engineering - Istanbul Technical University (GPA: 3.92/4.00)
🎓 Master's in Electronic Engineering - Istanbul Technical University (GPA: 4.00/4.00 - Best in Class 2013)
🏆 Competition Winner: 1st Place in Unconstrained Ear Recognition Challenge (UERC) 2019
🏆 LivDet2023 Winner: Fingerprint Liveness Detection Competition
📚 14+ Years AI/ML Experience (since 2011) + 4 years electronics background
🔬 7+ Years Academic Research with 10+ publications
💯 100+ AI Models trained and deployed in production
🚀 Innovation Leader: Developed ScoreNet and AutoFL algorithms
📱 Mobile AI Expert: iBeta certified biometric solutions
🌍 Industry Impact: Solutions deployed across multiple industries locally and internationally

💭 Innovation Philosophy

⚡ "Committed to pushing the boundaries of AI with innovative approaches to solve complex vision and biometric challenges" ⚡

🤝 Let's Connect and Collaborate!

I'm always interested in discussing AI innovations, research collaborations, and challenging projects.