• Dr. Malik Saad Sultan

    Dr. Malik Saad Sultan

    Associate Principal Engineer | AI & Computer Vision Specialist

    Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong
    +852 5530 7949
    engr.saadsultan@gmail.com
    Experience Education Awards Interests Skills Publications Languages Family

    Professional Summary

    Dr. Malik Saad Sultan is an accomplished Associate Principal Engineer at the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), the region's leading R&D center. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science and over a decade of expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, Dr. Sultan has led groundbreaking projects in biometric recognition, smart sensing technologies, and healthcare diagnostics.

    🎓 His academic journey began with a BSc from the Federal Urdu University, Pakistan, followed by a Master's in Robotic Vision from the Beijing Institute of Technology, China, and a Ph.D. in Medical Image Processing from the University of Porto, Portugal. This strong foundation has enabled him to bridge cutting-edge research with industrial applications, resulting in patented innovations and high-impact publications.

    🚀 As Projects Lead and Senior Researcher, Dr. Sultan has led the development of advanced AI systems in autonomous vehicles, privacy-preserving sensing and behavior understanding, and computer-aided diagnosis. His contributions have earned him several prestigious awards, including the 🏆 Silver Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (2025), 🏅 ASTRI’s Outstanding Employee Award (2022), and 🤝 ASTRI’s Best Team Award (2020–2022). His 🎓 academic achievements include the FCT-MAPi Grant for his PhD (2014), the RHEUMUS Research Grant (2014), and the CSC Grant for his Master’s degree (2010). He also received the Excellent Student Award from the International Student Centre (1st Prize, 2013) and the Distinguished Student Award from Beijing Institute of Technology (1st Prize, 2013).

    🌐✨ Combining technical leadership with strategic vision, Dr. Sultan continues to drive AI solutions that tackle real-world challenges, solidifying his reputation as a key innovator in the field.

    Professional Experience

    Associate Principal Engineer - Software Systems (AI)

    ASTRI (Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute)

    2019 - Present

    Advanced Biometric Systems

    Led the development of next-generation multimodal biometric solutions integrating face (2D/3D), iris, palm print/vein, and gait recognition technologies. Implemented deep learning architectures achieving 99.2% accuracy in challenging real-world conditions.

    Deep Learning OpenCV PyTorch

    Smart Sensing Technologies

    Directed multiple projects in computer vision for industrial applications, including PPE compliance monitoring on construction sites, eye-gaze/iris tracking for AR/VR headsets, and intuitive hand gesture recognition systems for augmented reality interfaces.

    Computer Vision Edge AI Real-time Systems

    Privacy-Preserving Vision Systems

    Developed cutting-edge dynamic vision systems with privacy-preserving sensing capabilities for secure behavior analysis, advancing surveillance technology. This breakthrough innovation resulted in a filed patent application.

    Privacy Tech Behaviour Analysis Multi-modality LLM

    Senior Researcher - Medical Image Processing

    Neadvance Ltd

    2014 - 2018
    • Designed AI-powered diagnostic tools for rheumatoid arthritis using advanced ultrasound segmentation algorithms, achieving 94% diagnostic agreement with rheumatologists.
    • Developed an automated echocardiography system for rheumatic heart disease detection utilizing mitral valve segmentation, motion tracking, and Doppler jet analysis.
    • Streamlined medical image processing pipelines, reducing analysis time from 15 minutes to under 30 seconds without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

    Research Associate - Robotic Vision

    Beijing Institute of Technology

    2010 - 2013
    • Developed real-time robotic arm pose estimation algorithms for industrial pick-and-drop applications, ensuring high precision.
    • Implemented vehicle localization systems using infrared landmarks, achieving high accuracy for autonomous navigation in structured environments.

    Education & Credentials

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science

    University of Porto, Portugal

    2014 - 2018

    Thesis: "Diagnosis of Rheumatic Heart Disease Based on Ultrasound Videos"

    • Recipient of competitive FCT-MAPi doctoral scholarship

    Master of Science in Mechatronics Engineering

    Beijing Institute of Technology, China

    2010 - 2013

    Thesis: "3D Visual Positioning System for Vehicles Using Infrared Landmarks and Dual Perpendicular Cameras"

    • Awarded China Scholarship Council fellowship
    • Recipient of Distinguished Student Award (Top 1% of cohort)

    Applied Behavior Analyst Certification

    Autism Partnership Foundation

    2020

    Completed rigorous training program in applied behavior analysis for autism spectrum disorders

    Demo Videos

    Awards & Distinctions

    Research Interests

    AI/Deep Learning
    AR/VR Technologies
    Biometric Systems
    Autonomous Vehicles
    Drone Technology
    Healthcare AI
    Robotic Vision
    Privacy-Preserving AI
    Edge Computing
    Synthetic Data Creation

    Technical Expertise

    AI & Computer Vision

    Deep Learning Architectures 95%

    Transformer models, CNNs, RNNs, GANs, and diffusion models for computer vision applications

    Computer Vision Systems 95%

    Object detection, segmentation, tracking, and 3D reconstruction

    Biometric Recognition 90%

    Multimodal systems integrating face, iris, palm, and gait recognition

    Medical Image Analysis 85%

    Ultrasound segmentation, echocardiography analysis, diagnostic AI

    Programming & Tools

    Python Development 95%

    Advanced Python for AI/ML, computer vision, and scientific computing

    PyTorch/TensorFlow 90%

    Deep learning framework expertise including model optimization and deployment

    OpenCV 90%

    Real-time computer vision applications and algorithm development

    MATLAB 85%

    Signal processing, image analysis, and algorithm prototyping

    Professional Skills

    Technical Leadership 90%

    Leading AI R&D teams and guiding technical strategy

    Project Management 85%

    Agile methodologies, resource allocation, and milestone delivery

    Research & Development 90%

    From concept to commercialization of AI solutions

    Cross-functional Collaboration 85%

    Bridging research, engineering, and business teams

    Publications & Intellectual Property

    Patents

    "An Artificial Intelligent Action Recognition Dynamic Vision Sensing System with Static Capturing Mode via Optical Approach"

    Alwin Tam, M.S. Sultan, Xiuling Zhu, Kenny Chan

    US, China Patent

    Year: 2022

    Patent Number: US 2024/0323517 Al

    Journal Publications

    "Virtual M-Mode for Echocardiography: A New Approach for the Segmentation of the Anterior Mitral Leaflet"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, E. Costa, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, S. Mattos, M. Coimbra

    IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics

    Impact factor: 7.7 | SJR Q1

    DOI: 10.1109/JBHI.2018.2799738

    "A New Active Contours Approach for Finger Extensor Tendon Segmentation in Ultrasound Images using Prior Knowledge and Phase Symmetry"

    N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, F. Teixeira, M. Coimbra

    IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics

    Impact factor: 7.7 | SJR Q1

    DOI: 10.1109/JBHI.2017.2723819

    "Improving Shape Retrieval by Integrating AIR and Modified Mutual NN Graph"

    N. Qadeer, D. Hu, X. Liu, S. Anwar, M.S. Sultan

    Advances in Multimedia

    DOI: 10.1155/2015/372172

    Conference Proceedings

    "Mitral Valve Leaflets Segmentation in Echocardiography using Convolutional Neural Networks"

    E. Costa, N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, S. Mattos and M.T. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE 6th Portuguese Meeting on Bioengineering (ENBENG), Lisbon, Portugal, Feb 2019

    "A New Method for the Anterior Mitral Leaflet Segmentation in Echocardiography Videos using the Virtual M-mode Space"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, E. Costa, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, S. Mattos and M.T. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Honolulu, Hawaii, Jul 2018

    "Extracting Thickness Profiles of Anterior Mitral Leaflets in Echocardiography Videos"

    L. Pires, M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, E. Costa, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, and M.T. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Honolulu, Hawaii, Jul 2018

    "Fully Automatic Finger Extensor Tendon Segmentation in Ultrasound Images of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint"

    N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, Miguel Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Honolulu, Hawaii, Jul 2018

    "Joint Capsule Segmentation in Ultrasound Images of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint using a Split and Merge Approach"

    N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, Miguel Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE BHI, Nevada, USA, March 2018

    "Tracking Large Anterior Mitral Leaflet Displacements by Incorporating Optical Flow in an Active Contours Framework"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, E. Costa, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, S. Mattos, and M. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Jeju Island, South Korea, Jul 2017 (DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2017.8037548)

    "Real-time Anterior Mitral Leaflet Tracking using Morphological Operators and Active Contours"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, E. Costa, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, S. Mattos, and M. Coimbra

    Proc. Int. Joint Conf. on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies, BIOSTEC, Porto, Portugal, Feb 2017 (DOI: 10.5220/0006244700390046)

    "A Preliminary Approach for the Segmentation of Mitral Valve Regurgitation Jet in Doppler Ecocardiography Images"

    E. Costa, N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, S. Mattos, and M. Coimbra

    Proc. Int. Joint Conf. on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies, BIOSTEC, Porto, Portugal, Feb 2017 (DOI: 10.5220/0006248900470054)

    "Doppler echocardiography for subclinical rheumatic heart disease evaluation of a computerised diagnosis of the mitral valve apparatus"

    E. Costa, D. Veiga, N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, M. Ferreira, M. Coimbra and S. Mattos

    7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Vol. 27, P2077, July 2017 (DOI:10.1017/S104795111700110X)

    "Tracking of the Anterior Mitral Leaflet in Echocardiographic Sequences using Active Contours"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, and M. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Orlando, USA, Aug 2016 (DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7590889)

    "Segmentation of the metacarpus and phalange in musculoskeletal ultrasound images using local active contours"

    N. Martins, M.S. Sultan, D. Veiga, M.J. Ferreira, and M. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Orlando, USA, Aug 2016 (DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7591627)

    "Automatic segmentation of extensor tendon of the MCP joint in ultrasound images"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, D. Veiga, M. Ferreira, M. Coimbra

    Proc. Int. Joint Conf. on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies, BIOSTEC, Rome, Italy, Feb 2016 (DOI: 10.5220/0005692500710076)

    "A multi-spot exploration of the topological structures of the reconstructed phase-space for the detection of cardiac murmurs"

    J. Oliveira, C. Oliveira, B. Cardoso, M.S. Sultan, M. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Milan, Italy, Aug 2015 (DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2015.7319319)

    "Segmentation of Bones and MCP Joint Region of the Hand from Ultrasound Images"

    M.S. Sultan, N. Martins, M. Ferreira, M. Coimbra

    Proc. IEEE EMBC, Milan, Italy, Aug 2015 (DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2015.7319023)

    "Hand-eye 3D pose estimation for a drawing robot"

    M.S. Sultan, X.g Chen, G. Ma, J. Xue, W. Ni, T. Zhang, W. Zhang

    Proc. IEEE ICMA,Takamatsu, Japan, Aug 2013 (DOI: 10.1109/ICMA.2013.6618105)

    "Hand-eye servo and flexible control of an anthropomorphic arm"

    G. Ma, H. Qiang, Z. yu, X. Chen, L. Meng, M.S. Sultan, W. Zhang, Y. Liu

    Proc. IEEE ROBIO, Shenzhen, China, Dec 2013 (DOI: 10.1109/ROBIO.2013.6739667)

    "Vision guided path planning system for vehicles using infrared landmark"

    M.S. Sultan, X. Chen, N. Qadeer, T. Zhang, H. Qiang

    Proc. IEEE ROBIO, Shenzhen, China, Dec 2013 (DOI: 10.1109/ROBIO.2013.6739455)

    "Humanoids Robot Push Recovery through Foot Placement"

    A. Yasin, Q. Huang, Q. Xu, M.S. Sultan

    Proc. IEEE ICMA, Chengdu, China, Dec 2012 (DOI: 10.1109/ICMA.2012.6282737)

    Language Proficiency

    Pakistan

    Urdu

    Native
    Full professional proficiency Speaking, writing, reading
    United Kingdom

    English

    Professional
    Full professional proficiency Speaking, writing, reading
    China

    Mandarin

    Professional
    Limited working proficiency Speaking, writing, reading
    Portugal

    Portuguese

    Basic
    Limited working proficiency Conversational speaking

    Leadership & Mentorship

    Academic Advisor

    Hong Kong Metropolitan University

    2021 - 2023
    • Advised postgraduate students in Electronic Engineering on computer vision and AI research, focusing on privacy-preserved behavior analysis using dynamic vision sensors.

    Technical Mentor

    ASTRI Internship Program

    2020 - 2022
    • Mentored 5+ interns and junior researchers on AI/VR projects
    • Developed training programs for computer vision and deep learning techniques

    Family Legacy

    Malik Mehmood Sultan

    Malik Mehmood Sultan

    The Visionary Patriarch

    Pakistan Pakistan
    "A father’s love is the fuel that enables a child to achieve the impossible."
    Malik Saad Sultan

    Malik Saad Sultan

    The Technologist

    Hong Kong Hong Kong
    "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
    Malik Fahad Sultan

    Malik Fahad Sultan

    The Entrepreneur

    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    "Opportunities don’t happen. You create them."
    Malik Anjum Sultan

    Malik Anjum Sultan

    The Legal Strategist

    Pakistan Pakistan
    "Truth is the foundation of all just arguments."
    Malik Ahmed Sultan

    Malik Ahmed Sultan

    The Manager

    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    "The role of a manager is not to control people, but to unleash their potential."