Laura Álvarez González

Hi, I'm

Laura Álvarez González

PhD Candidate @ UNAM · EU Expert Evaluator · IT Engineer

Specializing in generative models for computer vision — currently pursuing a PhD at IIMAS Mérida (UNAM) on restoration and colorization of old video using deep learning. EU-certified independent expert evaluating AI and technology proposals for Horizon 2020 and EIC Accelerator programmes. Research background in GANs, person re-identification, and image restoration.

Experience

2021 – present

Independent External Expert

European Research Executive Agency (REA) · Brussels (remote)

Evaluating artificial intelligence and technology proposals for the European Innovation Council — assessing technical merit, innovation potential, and societal impact. Programmes: EIC Accelerator Open 2021 (AI and deep tech startups) and Horizon DRS — enhanced assessment of disaster risks using AI and historical data (Horizon CL3-2021-DRS).

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Apr 2022 – Sep 2022

Adjunct Lecturer — Machine Learning

University of Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany

Designed and delivered practical machine learning sessions for university students, covering applied deep learning and model training workflows.

2020 – 2020

Independent External Expert

XR4Europe (XR4ALL programme) · Brussels (remote)

Evaluating AR/VR proposals for the XR4ALL open call programme.

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2018 – 2020

Independent External Expert

Research Executive Agency (REA) — EU Horizon 2020 · Brussels (remote)

Evaluating artificial intelligence and IT research proposals for the EU's Horizon 2020 programme — assessing innovation, technical feasibility, and potential impact of AI-focused projects across European research institutions and companies.

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Education

2025 – present

PhD in Computer Science and Engineering

Thesis: Generative Models for Restoration and Colorization of Old Videos

IIMAS Mérida · Generation 2025-01

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) · Mexico

2020 – 2022

MSc in Computer Science

Thesis: GANs for Person Re-identification

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán · Mexico

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2015

BEng in Computer Engineering

Final project: Serious Games with Eye Tracking

Universidad de Oviedo · E.I.I. Gijón · Spain

International

2009 CRUE Santander Exchange · Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City

2009 Kaplan International English · San Francisco, USA

Projects 8

Generative Models for Person Re-identification Machine Learning

2020 – 2024

Generative Models for Person Re-identification

Master's thesis at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Developed a system generating synthetic images with GANs to augment training data for person re-identification models in CCTV scenarios.

GANsComputer VisionPythonDeep Learning

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AR Urban Art Augmented Reality

2019

AR Urban Art

AR applied to urban murals in Mexico City (Torre Manacar). Murals that animate through the phone camera, bringing cultural heritage to life.

UnityVuforiaiOSAndroidAR Foundation

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Conductive Ink Interactive Wall Creative Electronics

2019

Conductive Ink Interactive Wall

Interactive installation for Applica2: AR for kids + smart board via iPad + conductive ink video mapping wall. Collaboration with Biofractal.

ArduinoWiFiVideo MappingConductive InkAR

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VR Tennis — Qropen ATP Challenger Virtual Reality

2018

VR Tennis — Qropen ATP Challenger

Three VR mini-games for the Qropen ATP Challenger Tour (prize pool $125,000). Cross-platform iOS/Android, sponsor branding, 3D art by Arturo Molion.

IonicVRiOSAndroid3D Art

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Virtual Reality Demos Virtual Reality

2016 – 2019

Virtual Reality Demos

Multiple VR prototypes: Maze VR on VivePort with Leap Motion hand tracking locomotion, and various immersive experiences across 2016–2019.

UnityHTC ViveLeap MotionC#VivePort

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Augmented Reality Demos Augmented Reality

2016 – 2019

Augmented Reality Demos

Various AR prototypes for events and showcases, including a café gallery at the Semana del Emprendedor in Mexico City.

UnityVuforiaAR FoundationiOSAndroid

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Ionic Hybrid Mobile Apps Mobile Development

2016 – 2017

Ionic Hybrid Mobile Apps

Cross-platform mobile apps for Bosch Mexico and Novo Nordisk — parts catalog, coaching cards, and a medical sales tool.

IonicAngulariOSAndroidJavaScript

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Serious Games & Eye Tracking Research

2015

Serious Games & Eye Tracking

Final degree project at Universidad de Oviedo (Ideascad group). Serious game to help children with amblyopia improve eye movements using low-cost eye trackers.

UnityVRPNEye TrackingC#Healthcare

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Awards & Recognition

2016

🏆 EBIC Award

Technology competition for students

Skills & Technologies

🧠 AI & Machine Learning

GANsDeep LearningComputer VisionPythonData Augmentation

🔮 Augmented Reality

Spark ARUnity + VuforiaARKit / ARCoreMarker & Markerless

🥽 Virtual Reality

UnityHTC ViveLeap MotionVivePortC#

📱 Mobile Development

IoniciOSAndroidJavaScriptAngular

⚡ Creative Electronics

ArduinoConductive InkVideo MappingInteractive Installations

🎨 3D & Design

3D Modeling3D ArtShadersTexture Animation

Certifications

2022
Google Cloud Computing Foundations (×4 modules) ↗

Google Cloud Skills Boost — Cloud Computing Fundamentals · Infrastructure · Networking & Security · Data, ML & AI

2021

IFCT128PO — Big Data

Core Networks SL

2014

Programming Cloud Services for Android Handheld Systems

Coursera

Get in Touch

Open to interesting projects, research collaborations, and creative experiments.