Dr. Robert Fletcher, UAUUG Secretary, works as Graphics Co-ordinator in the Computing Services Department at the University of York. His job is to mount and support graphics software on University supported systems. He also likes to keep a watch on Public Domain software (such as the GIMP) which may of use to the graphics users at York (and, of course, pass anything useful on to the wider graphics community).
Another part of Rob's work is to advise users on the most appropriate software and methodologies for visualization of their data and the subsequent hardcopy if required. He supports the research community by offering advice and a level of consultancy (where appropriate) on all matters concerning graphics. This can cover scanners/scanning, programming display and GUI, image processing, preparation of images for the WWW and so on.
Rob also has research interest in Speech Symthesis in collaboration with Prof John Local from the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at York. His main contribution is software support and the provision of interactive graphical tools to aid the development of the YorkTalk Speech Synthesis system. The graphical system is called IGE (Interactive Graphics Editor), affectionately known as "Iggy".
Rob also has a number of exetrnal interests such as cats, music and photography!
Please visit his peronal home pages at: Rob Fletcher's Personal Home Pages.
Rob was originally a Biologist some time way back. He did a D.Phil. in neurophysiology looking at sensory information coding in single nerve cells. He then went on to doing the same thing but on bigger systems - man - looking at the psychophysiology of schizophrenia. All these activites needed computing expertise and he now passes this back as a long time member of the University of York Computing Service. He is pleased to be able to present a paper going back to his roots!