Stephan Saalfeld
Senior Group Leader And Head Of Computation & Theory
Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Summary
🤩
Rockstar🎓
Top SchoolStephan Saalfeld is a senior computational leader with 18 years of experience bridging bioinformatics research and software engineering, currently Head of Computation & Theory at HHMI. He leads multidisciplinary teams to translate advanced image-analysis algorithms into robust, production-ready tools, drawing on a PhD in Bioinformatics and a background in media computer science. Stephan has a long track record at Max Planck and HHMI shaping computational strategy for molecular cell biology while remaining hands-on in code and algorithm development. His open-source contributions include backend work on the widely used Fiji image-analysis distribution, where he implemented and improved lens-correction algorithms. Known for combining academic rigor with practical engineering, he also co-founded a developer studio early in his career, reflecting a persistent interest in interactive systems and web technologies. Based in Ashburn, VA, he brings a rare blend of scientific insight, software craftsmanship, and leadership in scaling computational research infrastructure.
19 years of coding experience
6 years of employment as a software developer
Diploma (Master equivalent), Media Computer Science, Diploma (Master equivalent), Media Computer Science at Technische Universität DresdenPhD, Bioinformatics, PhD, Bioinformatics at IMPRS-MCBB | International Max Planck Research School for Molecular Cell Biology and Bioengineering
German, English, Russian
Stackoverflow
1reputation
0reached
1answer
0questions
Github Skills (8)
javas10
algorithms10
image-processing10
java10
hdf6
zarr6
python6
type-error6
Programming languages (13)
Github contributions (5)
fiji/fiji
Jan 2009 - Jun 2017
A "batteries-included" distribution of ImageJ :battery:
Role in this project:
Back-end Developer
Back-end DeveloperContributions:132 commits, 1 PR, 2 pushes in 8 years 6 months
Contributions summary:Stephan primarily focused on modifying Java code related to image processing, specifically within the "lens_correction" directory, suggesting involvement in the development of features related to lens correction algorithms. The commits show the user fixing import paths, integrating a new `mpicbg_.jar`, and making various adjustments to the core Java classes involved in the lens correction process. This indicates a focus on the backend image processing and algorithmic aspects of the Fiji image analysis software.
imagej
saalfeldlab/n5-blosc
Jul 2019 - May 2025
Blosc compression for N5
Contributions:2 PRs, 31 pushes, 1 branch in 5 years 10 months
blosccompression
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