Owen Root — Computational Imaging & ML

About Me

I'm a Physics Ph.D. candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center, where my research sits at the intersection of optics, sensor physics, and machine learning. My core work focuses on event-based (neuromorphic) cameras: I build probabilistic models that describe how these sensors generate data, then use statistical inference and deep learning to validate and exploit those models for imaging tasks. I also founded RootML, an independent research lab investigating machine learning for language models.

Before starting my Ph.D., I earned a B.S. in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Political Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University. I also teach as a Graduate Adjunct Lecturer at Hunter College, where I lead instructional laboratories for introductory physics courses.

Optics, Sensors & Computational Imaging

Analytical modeling of event-based / neuromorphic cameras (signal + noise)
Sensor parameter inference from controlled recordings
Computational image reconstruction from event streams
Optomechanical systems and nonreciprocal photonics (published in J. Opt. Soc. Am. B)
Experimental apparatus design, optical interference, and coherence measurement
Published in Proc. SPIE (Photonics West 2026, oral) and J. Opt. Soc. Am. B; presented at Optica Frontiers in Optics (oral) and SPS PhysCon (poster)

Sensor Physics Event-Based Vision Computational Optics Statistical Modeling Mathematica Data Acquisition

AI/ML & Scientific Software

Multi-model LLM orchestration system (root-sprout): staged fan-out architecture with hierarchical aggregation
Deep-learning image reconstruction (U-Net with self-attention)
Research into political bias in LLMs: prompt-sensitivity analysis, variance decomposition, mixed-effects modeling
Numerical PDE solvers for time-dependent quantum dynamics (open-source)
Open-source tools: LLM Query Functions, PyCharm Plot Toggle, and more
End-to-end research software: problem formulation through validation and documentation

Python Kotlin Deep Learning LLM Systems Git / GitHub Linux / UNIX

Education

Ph.D., Physics CUNY Graduate Center — Expected May 2028

B.S., Physics Nebraska Wesleyan University — May 2023 Minors in Mathematics and Political Science

Publications

O. B. Root, J. Mujo, and M. Xu, "A unified probabilistic event camera model for noise, step-response curves, and parameter determination," Proc. SPIE 13908, Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XXII, 139080J (2026).
J. Burns, O. Root, H. Jing, and I. M. Mirza, "Engineering optomechanically induced transparency by coupling a qubit to a spinning resonator," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 40, 958–965 (2023).

Preprints & Other Publications

O. Root, "Deterministic discrimination of phase-modified permutation oracles via single qubit measurement," arXiv:2603.07756 (2026).
O. Root, "Expression for g(k) related to Waring's problem," arXiv:2508.17950 (2025).
O. Root and M. Becker, "Does true randomness exist? Efficacy testing IBM quantum computers via statistical randomness," arXiv:2401.12250 (2024).
O. Root, "Robocode battle builds bridges," The SPS Observer 56(3), Society of Physics Students / AIP (2023).

Experience

Founder & Lead Investigator, RootML

Independent Machine Learning Research Lab — Mar 2026 – Present

Founded an independent research lab focusing on machine learning for language models.
Developed and deployed root-sprout, a multi-model orchestration system that coordinates queries across independent LLMs via a staged fan-out architecture with hierarchical aggregation.
Conducting research into political bias in large language models, including prompt-sensitivity analysis, variance decomposition methodology, and mixed-effects modeling of survey-instrument responses across multiple LLM providers.
Investigating analytic alternatives to numerical computation in scientific and mathematical contexts using language models.

Graduate Research Assistant

CUNY Graduate Center & Hunter College — Aug 2023 – Present

Designed and implemented a probabilistic event-camera model that unifies signal-driven and noise-induced events, enabling calibrated simulation and downstream analysis from event streams. Published in Proc. SPIE (2026).
Built an inference workflow to estimate sensor parameters from controlled recordings; validated parameter stability across experimental conditions.
Developed a deep-learning reconstruction pipeline (U-Net with self-attention) to recover still images from event-camera noise, using reconstructions as a validation signal for the physical model.
Developed a quantum algorithm that distinguishes phase-modified permutation oracles using a single-qubit measurement. Published as arXiv preprint.
Implemented analysis tools for numerical simulations of quantum dynamics in large biological molecules.
Built and maintained an open-source numerical simulation suite for time-dependent Schrödinger dynamics with non-trivial boundary conditions.
Created Image2Function, a tool using clustering and genetic programming to infer analytic expressions from hand-drawn plots.

Graduate Adjunct Lecturer

Hunter College, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy — Aug 2024 – Present

Prepare and lead weekly instructional laboratories for introductory physics courses; communicate technical concepts to diverse student backgrounds.
Grade lab reports and practical exams; collaborate with course instructors on evaluation and final grades.

Physics REU Student

Miami University — July 2022 – Aug 2022

Investigated probe-light transmission in a spinning optomechanical ring resonator coupled to a single qubit, with applications to nonreciprocal photonic devices.
Analyzed how strong qubit–resonator coupling modifies transmission for clockwise vs. counterclockwise rotation; demonstrated direction-dependent optical response.
Co-authored results published in J. Opt. Soc. Am. B; delivered an oral presentation at Optica Frontiers in Optics 2022.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Nebraska Wesleyan University — Aug 2020 – May 2023

Generated quantum random bit strings on IBM Quantum hardware and evaluated deviations from ideal randomness using statistical tests; compared results against classical pseudo-random number generators. Results published as arXiv preprint.
Designed and operated an acoustic double-slit apparatus with controlled phase and timing; analyzed interference patterns and coherence loss to connect to limitations in quantum technologies.