Computer Vision • Deep Learning • Assistive Technology
Hi! I am Joana
A Computer Vision and Deep Learning Researcher
I am a Master in Computer Science student at the University of Wyoming working with Dr. Shivanand Venkanna Sheshappanavar in the Geometric Intelligence Research Lab. My work focuses on computer vision and deep learning for assistive technology, healthcare, and education.
Recent News
Paper Accepted to WiCV at CVPR 2026 🎉
SAM3Count, have been accepted to the Women in Computer Vision (WiCV) Workshop at CVPR 2026 in Denver, Colorado, taking place June 3–7, 2026. I will be giving an oral presentation on this work, which focuses on open-vocabulary counting in images and videos under challenging conditions such as occlusion, fragmentation, and identity switches.
Projects
A few featured projects are highlighted below. More can be found on my GitHub page.
SAM3Count
A zero-shot open-vocabulary counting framework for images and videos built on SAM3, with adaptive ROI-based refinement for dense scenes and stronger temporal consistency in videos.
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Self Driving Car Simulation
A self-driving car simulation built with a feed-forward neural network, fitness-based search, and genetic algorithms to detect collisions and learn better paths.
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XPT: Enhanced Point Transformer
An efficient and stable transformer architecture for 3D point cloud understanding that reduces computational cost and training time while maintaining strong accuracy.
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A Mobile App for the Visually Impaired
A mobile application that integrates computer vision and deep learning methods to support visually impaired users in real-world settings.
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CNN for Cat and Dog Classification
A CNN-based classification project using audio spectrogram images derived from cat and dog sounds.
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Optimal Path Finding for Emergency Response
Implemented AI search algorithms to estimate shortest paths for emergency flood response using Cheyenne highway maps.
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See more details on my CV or LinkedIn.
Graduate Research Assistant
Geometric Intelligence Research Lab - EECS
University of Wyoming
August 2024 - Present
- Improve and develop VLM (Image, Video and 3D) and LLM models for assistive technologies, healthcare and autonomous driving.
- Optimize and enhance efficiency of models and design hardware wearable IoT devices for persons with disabilities
- Assisted in mentoring undergraduate students during REU NSF funded summer program
Software Development Specialist
Inclusive Tech Group
August 2020 - Present
A member of the product development team coordinating the design, development, testing, and implementation of assistive technology products for persons with disabilities. Learn more.
IT Coordinator
GES - Asuoso Community Senior High School
November 2021 - 2024
- Administered and maintained school database systems and networks.
- Performed network and system administration tasks on Windows Server and SAP software.
- Improved system performance through proactive IT policy implementation.
Research & Administrative Assistant
Institute of Research, Innovation and Development - Kumasi Technical University
October 2020 - November 2021
Contributed to multidisciplinary research projects on food transportation and security in Ghana, perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among staff and students, and the rise of street child begging in cities.
Education
University of Wyoming
Master of Science (MSc) Computer Science, 2024 - Present
GPA 4.0
University of Mines and Technology
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Computer Science & Engineering, 2016 - 2020
GPA 3.6
Courses
Skills
Languages: Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, SQL
ML / CV: PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, Transformers, Segmentation, Tracking
Systems: Linux, Git, Docker, Slurm, High Performance Computing
Focus Areas: Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Assistive Technology, Applied AI
Research & Publications
XPT: Enhanced Point Transformer V3
Research on improving the efficiency and stability of point transformer models for 3D point cloud understanding.
Nina: A Shopping Assistant Application for the Visually Impaired Using Computer Vision
Undergraduate thesis focused on assistive shopping support for visually impaired users.