Research and Work Experience:

Computer Science Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, Fall 1994 through Spring 2000:

With Prof. Carlo Tomasi I conduct research in computer vision, specifically on the use of distributions of pixel colors to model image regions for performing low-level tasks such as edge and corner detection and boundary representation.

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, Summer 1997 through Fall 1999:

Designed and implemented vision algorithms for detecting layers in rock formations and segmenting "geologically interesting" regions of texture for future unmanned missions to Mars.

IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA, Summer 1995:

Worked on shape representations for the Query By Image Content (QBIC) image database project.

USC Advanced Computer Architecture Lab, Los Angeles, CA, Spring 1992 through Spring 1994:

Participated in a number of projects, including automatic detection of runways from satellite photos, functional testing of microprocessors, and translation of chip specifications from PALASM to VHDL.

Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, summers of 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994:

Designed, implemented, and maintained graphics, interface, and database programs for ENPEP, a macroeconomic forecast package for Third World countries, administered by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Publications:

• M.A. Ruzon and C. Tomasi, "Edge, Junction, and Corner Detection Using Color Distributions," IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, to appear in November 2001.
• V.C. Gulick, R.L. Morris, M.A. Ruzon, and T.L. Roush, "Autonomous Image Analyses During the 1999 Marsokhod Rover Field Test," J. of Geophysical Research--Planets, volume 106, number E4, pages 7745-7764, 25 April 2001.
• M.A. Ruzon and C. Tomasi, "Alpha Estimation in Natural Images," Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, volume 1, pages 24-31, June 2000.
• M.A. Ruzon and C. Tomasi, "Corner Detection in Textured Color Images," Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision, volume 2, pages 1039-1045, September 1999.
• M.A. Ruzon and C. Tomasi, "Color Edge Detection with the Compass Operator," Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, volume 2, pages 160-166, June 1999.
• V.C. Gulick, R.L. Morris, M.A. Ruzon, and T.L. Roush, "Autonomous Science Analyses of Digital Images for Mars Sample Return and Beyond," 30th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 1999.

Awards:

• USC University Trustees' Award (highest senior male GPA), 1994
  
• USC School of Engineering Archimedes Circle Award (valedictorian), 1994
  
• USC Computer Science Department Outstanding Student Award, 1994
  
• USC School of Engineering Dean's Scholarship, 1990-94
  
• USC School of Engineering Merit Research Award, 1990-94
  

Education:

Joliet Catholic High School, Joliet, IL, 1986-90 (valedictorian)

University of Southern California, 1990-94 (salutatorian)

B.S. Computer Science; Minor, Mathematics; 3.99 GPA

Stanford University, 1994-2000

M.S. Computer Science, 1997

Ph.D. Computer Science, 2000

Miscellaneous:

• Member of Phi Beta Kappa
  
• References available upon request