CfAA welcomes Dr Tian Gan as new Research Associate

Posted on Thursday 29 May 2025

The CfAA welcomes Dr Tian Gan as a Research Associate in Safe MLOps, where she will focus on autonomy assurance for unmanned surface vessels in the maritime sector. Dr Gan will be using the CfAA’s AMLAS framework in her work, which will involve assessing the adequacy of current verification and validation (V&V) processes and ensuring safety and reliability in autonomous maritime systems.

With a PhD in Machine Learning, Dr Gan has previously developed advanced AI models tackling time-series prediction, dynamic control, and early stage Parkinson’s Disease detection. Her expertise lies in bio-inspired unconventional computing, exploring alternative ways to process information beyond traditional binary systems. Previously, she worked as a Research Associate at York’s Physics, Engineering and Technology (PET) School, where she focused on theoretical AI research before shifting her focus to practical applications.

Speaking on her new role at the CfAA, Dr Gan said: “I’m eager for the opportunity to apply machine-learning techniques to more real world challenges, particularly within the maritime sector. Previously, a lot of my work has been theoretical in nature, so being able to collaborate with industry partners and have a real impact on the future of autonomous systems is quite exciting.”