Aki Härmä (A.S.)
I did my PhD (2001) at the Aalto University in Finland, focusing on signal processing and machine learning algorithms for speech and audio processing. However, my professional trajectory has evolved significantly over the years. During an extensive tenure of almost 20 years at Philips Research, I widened my expertise to encompass a broader scope of computational intelligence, with a particular emphasis on natural language processing.
In May 2023, I transitioned into the role of an assistant professor at Maastricht University, where I concentrate on language technology. The shift to academia had always been a part of my long-term plan. Yet, the recent advancements in computational science, specifically in language modeling, reinforced my decision. I realized my desire to participate in this technological revolution from an academic standpoint, preferably at one of the top computational science centers in the Netherlands.