They want to spur commercial research sponsorships, along the lines of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tapping New Jersey's pharmaceutical and telecom industries if they can. The center will be an instrument to bring great people to Rutgers. A digital Renaissance man, Metaxas can spout differential equations or theories on artificial intelligence with equal authority. His computer models of the human anatomy are designed to improve upon cadavers, teaching medical students how living organs interact when healthy and during traumas like stabbings. Another program attempts to bridge the gap between voice and face recognition, for computer analysis of sign language.
Water is a pet project.
Fluid dynamics remains a slippery business, which Metaxas continues to perfect. Keeping Hollywood in mind, he also is modeling the way humans walk, for more lifelike animations. I want to create programs that not only deal with basic research, but also have applications that improve people's lives,'' said Metaxas, a native of Athens, Greece. He plans to become a U.S. citizen next year, he said. Rutgers will give Metaxas money to hire five professors.