Recognition of Excellence – 4 hessian.AI researchers accepted as new ELLIS Fellows and Scholars
hessian.AI congratulates its researchers on a prestigious achievement: four of its members have recently been appointed ELLIS Fellows and ELLIS Scholars. These esteemed titles, awarded by the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS), recognize their groundbreaking contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
ELLIS – A Network for AI Excellence in Europe
“ELLIS Fellows & Scholars are the fabric of the ELLIS network, which they shape and grow through their contributions. This new group of outstanding researchers is joining the network after being selected among over 200 exceptional applicants. Together with them, we will continue to work to keep ELLIS at the forefront of research and innovation in AI and Machine Learning.”
Nicolò Cesa-Bianchi, Chair of Fellows & Fellows Selection Committees
ELLIS unites leading AI researchers across Europe with the aim of fostering scientific excellence and advancing innovations. Fellow and Scholar appointments are granted to those who have made significant contributions to machine learning, computer vision, and related fields. The appointment of hessian.AI researchers to these roles highlights the high regard in which the center’s work is held on the international stage. It also underscores the outstanding research conducted through the close collaboration with universities.
Marcus Rohrbach, ELLIS Fellow, is an Alexander von Humboldt Professor at TU Darmstadt, where he leads the “Multimodal Reliable AI” lab. This prestigious award, which includes up to €5 million in funding, was granted to him for his groundbreaking research in multimodal learning, focusing on the intersection of computer vision and natural language processing. Rohrbach’s expertise in creating AI systems that combine image and text understanding is widely recognized, and his contributions have had a significant impact on both research and industry. His current role at TU Darmstadt, alongside his position within hessian.AI, allows him to continue advancing AI research with an emphasis on reliability and real-world applications.
Anna Rohrbach, ELLIS Scholar, is a leading researcher in multimodal AI at TU Darmstadt, where she heads the Multimodal Grounded Learning group. Her work focuses on integrating computer vision and language to create AI models that are human-centric, trustworthy, and effective. She has been recognized for her contributions with prestigious awards, such as the German Pattern Recognition Award in 2023. Additionally, Rohrbach is an active leader in developing AI that bridges the gap between visual understanding and natural language processing.
Georgia Chalvatzaki, ELLIS Scholar, is professor at TU Darmstadt and a key researcher in robotics and AI, focusing on intelligent robotic systems for assistance. Her work includes leading the Emmy Noether research group “iROSA” and the ERC-funded project “SIREN,” which explores robotic embodied intelligence and interaction in unstructured environments. Chalvatzaki’s research is interdisciplinary, combining engineering, cognitive science, and ethical considerations to advance human-robot interaction. She has been recognized as an AI Newcomer of the Year by the German Informatics Society and plays an active role in shaping future-oriented robotics research. Within hessian.AI, her expertise contributes to the organization’s advancements in AI and robotics.
Justus Thies, ELLIS Scholar, has a dual role as a professor of 3D Graphics & Vision at the Technical University of Darmstadt (since 2023) and leader of the “Neural Capture & Synthesis” group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen. His research bridges computer graphics, computer vision, and machine learning, focusing on advancements like markerless motion capture and facial reenactment. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Thies was recently honored with the prestigious Eurographics Young Researcher Award for 2024.
Research Impact and Societal Relevance
As part of the ELLIS network, these researchers gain opportunities to collaborate with a diverse group of international experts on interdisciplinary projects. Their work spans topics such as AI for sustainability and healthcare, as well as foundational research that could inspire new technological applications.
Visibility and Future Prospects
The inclusion of these researchers as ELLIS Fellows and Scholars further solidifies hessian.AI’s role as a leading force in Europe’s AI landscape. With this recognition, the research center looks forward to a bright future, not only in basic research but also in developing applications that deliver societal benefits.
hessian.AI extends heartfelt congratulations to the honorees and looks forward to strengthening its international collaborations.
