David Milaenen

CG/CV Researcher · Software Engineer

About

 APPLE     WĒTĀ DIGITAL

As a computer vision researcher, my experience in this innovative field ranges from photorealistic digital humans to cutting-edge hardware and software image capture techology. My work at Apple and Wētā Digital has brought together approaches from diverse fields such as image processing, vision, rendering and machine learning.

Visit Apple and Wētā Digital websites

GPGPU

The need for high performance programming is expanding in many fields of computer science. To facilitate the use of GPU resources, API models propose heterogeneous programming schemes allowing for general-purpose programming on GPU. Working within complex pipelines led me to specialize in such models to efficiently manipulate data, from images to complex acceleration structures.

Light transport

My Master’s thesis and research publication focus on the concepts and equations of light transport, based on a set of radiometric formulations describing visible light. It proposes a numerical technique to estimate the frequency spectrum of scattering light. As part of my studies, I have also worked on simulations using MPM, structured light scanning and various rendering techniques.

Read my thesis and research paper

Skills

  • c++
  • CUDA
  • OpenCV
  • Mathematica
  • Eigen
  • Python
  • TensorFlow
  • SLAM
  • Ceres
  • Blender
  • Nuke
  • git
  • MATLAB
  • OpenGL
  • Java
  • SQL
  • Qt
  • VSCode
  • Visual Studio
  • Linux
English
French
Spanish
German

Work & Volunteer Experience

  • Jun 2022 - Present

    Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Apple

    Montreal, Québec, Canada

  • Feb 2019 - May 2022

    Mocap Software Engineer at Weta Digital

    Wellington, New Zealand

  • Feb 2016 - Nov 2018

    Computer Vision Researcher at 8i

    Wellington, New Zealand

  • Sep 2013 - Dec 2015

    MSc Student Representative

    Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

  • Sep 2013 - Dec 2014

    Teaching Assistant

    Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

  • Jun - Aug 2013

    International Volunteer

    Puesta del Sol, Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

  • May 2011 - Sep 2012

    Internship at LEB

    St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada

  • Jan - Aug 2010

    Internship at IBM Canada

    Bromont, Québec, Canada

Awards & Competitions

2022 - Avatar: The Way of Water

Academy Award for Best Visual Effects

Research & Development, WĒTĀ FX

Mar 2019

Michael A. J. Sweeney Award

Graphics Interface, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Mar 2013

DIRO Graduate Excellence Scholarship

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Feb 2012

CSGames 2012

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Dec 2011

SONY Excellence Scholarship

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Sep 2010

DIRO Excellence Scholarship

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Sep 2010

Admission Scholarship

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Education

Sep 2013 - Oct 2015

MSc degree in Computer Graphics

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Sep 2010 - Dec 2012

BSc degree in Computer Science

Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Sep 2007 - May 2010

College degree in Computer Science

CÉGEP de Granby, Granby, Québec, Canada

I Have at Heart

Animal Welfare

Animals are sentient beings like us, with their own needs, desires and interests, and we can all play a part in helping them.

Environment

There are many ways to live a greener life, and it is up to us to choose sustainable options when it comes to looking after our planet.

Social Justice

By opposing neoliberal globalization, we can support social and democratic alternatives so as to guarantee fundamental rights for all.

Travelling

Travelling and meeting other cultures teach us that the way we have been looking at the world is not exactly the way everybody else does.