Valentin E. Brimkov, associate professor of mathematics at Buffalo State College, is chairing the 12th International Workshop on Combinatorial Image Analysis, which takes place April 7–9 at the Adam’s Mark in downtown Buffalo. More than 65 scholars from nearly 20 countries will attend.

Past workshops have taken place in such cities as Paris, Hiroshima, Palermo, Auckland and Berlin. Brimkov’s reputation in the field and willingness to organize the event will bring this year’s conference to the Queen City.

Combinatorial image analysis falls under the umbrella of discrete mathematics, sometimes called “the language of computers.” Discrete mathematics is used in the analysis of algorithms and stands in contrast to calculus, which uses continuous functions to solve problems about computing velocity, slope, area and volume. Combinatorial image analysis is an advanced, specific and relatively new discipline with many vital applications in diverse areas, such as medicine, robotics and security.

“When combinatorial image analysis is applied to technology, computers can detect images of illegally parked cars, unattended bags, or suspicious behavior, such as someone breaking into a car,” said Brimkov. “Combinatorial image analysis has also advanced the medical field. We can use discrete tomography [imaging by sections] to visualize human organs without being invasive.”

Brimkov thought that Buffalo would provide something interesting and new for scholars. He was right. The three-day workshop will have more attendees than all previous workshops. It also boasts the most research papers (more than 100) submitted for acceptance. According to Brimkov, with Buffalo State’s support, this is the first time a nondoctoral institution will host the workshop.

Brimkov also believes the keynote speakers are of the highest caliber. Nobel laureate Herbert A. Hauptman, president of the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, will provide an opening talk. SUNY Distinguished Professor Arie E. Kaufman, chair of the Computer Science Department at Stony Brook University, will discuss the field’s contributions to colonoscopy equipment. Jake K. Aggarwal, Cullen Trust for Higher Education Endowed Professor in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, will present research on human motion understanding, modeling, and recognition of human faces, actions, and interactions, as well as human-object interactions. Other speakers hail from Germany, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the CUNY Graduate Center.