The Accelerated Hardware Research Group is dedicated to designing and developing innovative hardware solutions that boost computing performance and efficiency. Our work focuses on creating specialized processing architectures and optimizing parallel computing frameworks for diverse applications, including machine learning, real-time data processing, embedded systems, and digital signal processing.
Below, you will find detailed profiles of our team members, complete with their biographies and the personal motivations that inspired them to join this research group.
Nedim Kalajdžija About: With a keen passion for technology and innovation, I pursued higher education at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, specializing in Computer Science and Informatics. Committed to continuous learning, I aspire to further my academic journey by obtaining a master’s degree in the same field, deepening my expertise and broadening my intellectual horizons.
My foremost interests lie in hardware design, RTL design, computer architecture, operating systems, and artificial intelligence. I am particularly drawn to the intricacies of low-level system design and optimization, where precision and efficiency shape the foundation of modern computing. My ultimate ambition is to contribute to the development of processors or AI accelerators, playing a role in advancing the next generation of computational technologies. In pursuit of this goal, my final thesis delves into the RISC-V architecture, examining its capabilities and the transformative potential it holds for the future of computing.
In addition to my technical interests, I have a deep appreciation for languages and am fluent in both English and German, while currently learning French. Beyond academics, I take great pleasure in philosophical inquiry, particularly in exploring the depths of German classical philosophy. I am also profoundly passionate about fine art, finding inspiration in its beauty and complexity.
Moreover, I delight in watching quiz shows, immersing myself in music, and savoring the rich aroma of coffee, which has become an essential companion in both study and life in general.
Motivation for joining: Hardware forms the very foundation of computing, and without meticulously crafted hardware, even the most sophisticated software cannot fully realize its potential. My passion for accelerated hardware arises from the conviction that its optimization and design not only enhance computational performance but also stretch the limits of what technology can achieve, fueling both my curiosity and my unwavering dedication to creating faster, more efficient, and more intelligent systems.
Elma Hodžić About: I am Elma Hodžić, a final-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Sarajevo with a strong passion for hardware, electronics, and embedded systems. My academic journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity for how technology works at its core, which is why I naturally gravitated towards hardware development. My thesis, "Using the OpenAI Realtime API on Embedded Devices," reflects my interest in bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and embedded systems. Beyond my studies, I am an active member of several NGOs, where I engage in projects that combine technology and social impact. I enjoy collaborating with diverse teams and using my skills to contribute to meaningful initiatives. My love for problem-solving extends beyond engineering—having completed music school, I also play the accordion and piano, which has helped me develop creativity and discipline in unexpected ways.
Motivation for joining: I am fascinated by accelerated hardware because it bridges the gap between high-performance computing and embedded systems, enabling efficient AI processing on resource-constrained devices. Its ability to optimize speed and energy consumption makes it a crucial technology for the future of AI-driven embedded solutions, which aligns perfectly with my passion for electronics and innovation.
Medina Kapo About: Medina Kapo earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Computing and Informatics, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo. During her studies, she was a student demonstrator for the “Fundamentals of Database Systems” course. From October 2022 to July 2023, she served as the student representative for the second year of the Master’s program in Computing and Informatics. Additionally, in 2023, she was a mentor in artificial intelligence at the IT Girls Bootcamp – Smarter (IT) girls, smarter automation. Currently, she is an teaching and research assistant and PhD candidate at the same faculty. Her recent research primarily focuses on computer vision tasks, particularly semantic segmentation and super-resolution, as well as optimizing neural network inference processes using the OpenVINO toolkit. She has also worked on the Advertis project as technical support and is currently involved in a project utilizing natural language processing for digital content analysis. Her future PhD dissertation will be related to bioinformatics and cheminformatics, with more details to be revealed in the future.
Motivation for joining:Strong passion for medicine, image processing, and artificial intelligence has naturally led me to join the Biomedical Imaging team, where these fields are seamlessly integrated. I strongly believe that AI model integration is becoming essential for achieving more accurate and precise diagnostics.