Ting Zhao is a doctoral researcher at the Group for Artificial Intelligence and Sparse Modelling at Ghent University, working with prof. Aleksandra Pižurica. His research interests include hydroaphic surveying and charting, image processing, data representation and machine learning. His research topic mainly concentrates on sonar image processing and classification, including multibeam backscatter data processing, feature extraction of seabed image, benthic terrain and geology analysis, seabed sediment classification and mapping. Data representation and machine learning methodologies can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy for marine environment detection based on underwater acoustic signal, which would also benefit the marine engineering construction and seabed resource exploration.