New at the Department: Professor Naser Damer
Biometrics, Human Analysis and Behavior Understanding (BHABU)
2025/01/23
Naser Damer has been a professor at TU Darmstadt since the beginning of January. He has taken over the newly created professorship for ‘Biometrics, Human Analysis and Behaviour Understanding (BHABU)’ at the Department of Computer Science, where he will strengthen the work of the National Research Centre for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE.

The 39-year-old scientist has been researching for many years how biometrics can be used to improve the user experience of digital applications and at the same time increase their security. Damer studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern and received his doctorate from the Department of Computer Science at the Technical University of Darmstadt in 2018. He has been working at Fraunhofer IGD since 2011, where he is involved in applied research, scientific consulting and evaluation of biometric systems. He is also one of the coordinators of the ATHENE research area 'Next Generation Biometric Systems'.
The new professorship is a . It is open-ended and supports the intensification of the cooperation between Fraunhofer IGD and TU Darmstadt within ATHENE. joint appointment between TU Darmstadt and Fraunhofer IGD
We asked a few questions about his start at the TU: Professor Damer
Why should students be interested in your field of science? What makes it exciting?
I believe that students are naturally drawn to subjects that are at the cutting edge of research, require constant innovation, are highly relevant to the labour market and have a humanitarian dimension that complements their technical side. My research area – which focuses on biometrics, human analytics and behavioural understanding – embodies all of these characteristics.
Our work focuses on driving innovation in machine learning with applications in information and societal security, with a strong focus on human and societal aspects. This unique combination ensures that our research is not only technically challenging, but also has the potential to improve people's lives.
Both machine learning and information security are currently evolving rapidly, offering numerous opportunities for innovation and closely linked to a growing job market.
What makes this field particularly exciting for students is its connection to real-world challenges and its transformative potential. Understanding human behaviour and societal patterns, combined with developing systems that improve safety and comfort, opens up exciting opportunities. The humanitarian aspect of ensuring that our research benefits individuals, institutions and societies adds a deeper meaning to the work.
Perhaps most exciting for students is the overarching goal of our research: to make interactions between citizens and services in the digitalised future more convenient, secure, inclusive, transparent, acceptable and privacy-preserving. This vision combines technical innovation with a larger societal purpose, which is particularly motivating for curious minds.
The need for interdisciplinarity is emphasised at TU Darmstadt. What are the interfaces with other departments in your research area?
Interdisciplinarity is at the heart of my research. While my main focus is on the advancement of machine learning, the applications of my work naturally overlap with many other disciplines.
One prominent area of collaboration is with researchers in information security, as many of our innovations focus on security applications. For example, we work closely within ATHENE, where our work contributes to the development of secure systems that integrate advanced behavioural models and biometrics. Beyond security, collaboration with experts in cognitive science and psychology is essential to understanding human behaviour, perception and decision-making. This knowledge helps us develop more intuitive systems that respect human tendencies while optimising interactions with digital systems.
At the societal level, the interface with the social sciences is crucial. Research into the current and future interaction of individuals and societies with the digital world provides important insights for the development of technologies that are inclusive and acceptable to different population groups.
In addition, collaboration with legal and ethics departments ensures that we address issues of privacy, data security and the ethical implications of biometrics and AI.
Which department would you like to spend a day in to get a taste? Why?
If I could spend a day in any other department, it would definitely be the Department of Social and Historical Sciences. Their research into the cognitive behaviour of individuals and societies – both in historical and contemporary contexts – fascinates me.
Understanding human and societal behaviour over time can provide valuable insights for my own work in biometrics and behavioural analysis.
On the one hand, historical patterns and societal dynamics can serve as a source of inspiration for innovations in artificial intelligence, especially in mimicking human learning and decision-making processes. On the other hand, this understanding plays a crucial role in the design of systems that safely and effectively control the interaction between individuals (and societies) and AI-enabled digital domains.
For example, insights from the social sciences can inform how AI systems can adapt to societal norms, cultural preferences and ethical considerations. This will ensure that the technology we develop is not only functional, but also culturally sensitive and widely accepted.
This intersection of history, society and technology offers endless opportunities for innovation and reflection, which is why I find it so exciting.
If I were a student today, I would…
… place more emphasis on understanding concepts, developing problem-solving skills, mastering innovation strategies and, perhaps most importantly, learning to critically read and evaluate scientific research. While technical skills and exam preparation are important, the rapidly changing technology industry requires today's students to be adaptable and to have a deep conceptual understanding.
With the advent of AI tools and other technological resources, students today have unprecedented support for routine technical tasks. However, these tools cannot replace the fundamental skills of critical thinking and creative problem solving. As a student, I would focus on building these core skills to be prepared for a future where the skills profile required may change rapidly.
On a personal level, I would also stress the importance of happiness and balance in your studies and personal life. Mental health and emotional well-being have a significant impact on academic performance and long-term success.
I would also make more use of the many exchange programmes and travel opportunities to experience different cultures and research styles. These experiences build character, encourage openness and provide invaluable perspectives on problem solving and global collaboration – skills that are as important in research as technical knowledge.
The best balance to a stressful working day is …
I love to cook, especially for friends and family. Cooking is both relaxing and therapeutic. It provides a creative distraction that is completely separate from the challenges of the day. It allows me to focus on something tangible and rewarding while connecting with my loved ones.
On the other hand, I also find balance in reading, especially on topics such as ethics and identity theories. It's interesting that when I explore these humanitarian studies, I often make connections to my work in artificial intelligence. I find it particularly exciting when such concepts are presented not in a dry scientific way, but as a narrative. In this context, I am a big fan of the work of Amin Maalouf.
I also love to travel and find myself in new cultures. I enjoy the chaos of unplanned journeys and the joy of discovering new places and perspectives. Travelling energises and refreshes me so that I can return to my work with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
Travelling also reminds me that cultures are not so different at their core, they just express themselves in different ways. I always take this insight back with me – both in my work and in my life.
