Steven Guan Ph.D.

Professor

Steven Guan (Sheng-Uei Guan) received his BSc. from Tsinghua University and M.Sc. & Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He is currently an Honorary Professor at University of Liverpool & also a Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). He served the head of department position at XJTLU for 4.5 years, creating the department from scratch and now in shape. Before joining XJTLU, he was a tenured professor and chair in intelligent systems at Brunel University, UK.

Prof. Guan has worked in a prestigious organization for several years, serving as a design engineer, project leader, and department manager. After leaving the industry, he joined the academia for three and half years. He served as deputy director for the Computing Center and the chairman for the Department of Information & Communication Technology. Later he joined the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at National University of Singapore as an associate professor for 8 years.

Prof. Guan’s research interests include: machine learning, computational intelligence, big data analytics, mobile commerce, modeling, networking, personalization, security, coding theory, and pseudorandom number generation. He has published extensively in these areas, with 140+ journal papers and 210 book chapters or conference papers. He has chaired, delivered keynote speech for 100+ international conferences and served in 190+ international conference committees and 20+ editorial boards.

There are quite a few inventions from Prof. Guan including Generalized Minimum Distance Decoding for Majority Logic Decodable Codes, Prioritized Petri Nets, Self-Modifiable Color Petri Nets, Dynamic Petri Net Model for Iterative and Interactive Distributed Multimedia Presentation, Incremental Feature Learning, Ordered Incremental Input/Output Feature Learning, Input/Output Space Partitioning for Machine Learning, Recursive Supervised Learning, Reduced Pattern Training using Pattern Distributor, Contribution Based Feature Selection, Incremental Genetic Algorithms, Incremental Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms, Decremental Multi-objective Optimization, Multi-objective Optimization with Objective Replacement, Incremental Hyperplane Partitioning for Classification, Incremental Hyper-sphere Partitioning for Classification, Controllable Cellular Automata for Pseudorandom Number Generation, Self Programmable Cellular Automata, Configurable Cellular Automata, Layered Cellular Automata, Transformation Sequencing of Cellular Automata for Pseudorandom Number Generation, Open Communication with Self-Modifying Protocols, etc.


  • B.Sc., Mathematics, Tsinghua University
  • M.Sc., Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
  • Ph.D., Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA


  • 2021 - now Honorary Professor, Computer Science Department, University of Liverpool at University of Liverpool
  • 2020- now Chair, School Internationalization Committee, School of Advanced Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  • 2020 - now Global Engagement Officer, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  • 1996 - 1998: Lecturer, School of Computer Science & Computer Engineering La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. Australia
  • 1999 – 2006: Associate Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), National University of Singapore
  • 2006 – 2007: Chair in Intelligent Systems (tenured), School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, UK
  • 2008 – 2012: Head of Department, Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  • Adjunct Professor, Xi'an Jiaotong University
  • 2018 - now Professor (tenured), Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  • 2015 - 2020 Director, Research Institute of Big Data Analytics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University


  • lifelong machine learning
  • machine intelligence
  • self-aware systems
  • machine consciousness
  • autonomous systems
  • machine learning, computational intelligence, big data analytics, mobile commerce, modeling, networking, personalization, security, coding theory, pseudorandom number generation


  • 1. Tai-Yang Hwang and Sheng-Uei Guan, "Generalized Minimum Distance Decoding on Majority Logic Decodable Codes", IEEE Trans. on Information Theory (SJR:1.68), 790-792, Vol. IT-28, No. 5, Sep. 1982
  • 2. Sheng-Uei Guan and Syn Kiat Tan, "Pseudorandom Number Generation with Self Programmable Cellular Automata", IEEE Trans. on Computer Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems (SJR:0.49), 1095-1101, Vol. 23, No. 7, July 2004
  • 3. Qian Chen and Sheng-Uei Guan, “Incremental Multiple Objective Genetic Algorithms”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics Part B (SJR:1.13), 1325-1334, Vol. 34, No. 3, June 2004.
  • 4. Sheng-Uei Guan and Shanchun Li, “Parallel Growing and Training of Neural Networks Using Output Parallelism”, IEEE Trans. on Neural Networks, 542 -550, Vol. 13, No. 3, May 2002
  • 5. Sheng-Uei Guan, Hsiao-Yeh Yu, Jen-Shun Yang, "A Prioritized Petri Net Model and Its Application in Distributed Multimedia Systems", IEEE Transactions on Computers (SJR:0.78), 477-481, Vol. 47, No. 4, Apr. 1998
  • 6. Sheng-Uei Guan and Fangming Zhu, “An Incremental Approach to Genetic Algorithms Based Classification”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics Part B (SJR:1.13), 227 - 239, Vol. 35, No. 2, Apr. 2005
  • 140+ international journal papers; 6 representative journal paper publications listed.


  • 1. D. Afolabi, S.-U. Guan, and K. L. Man, “Meta-information for Data Interference Reduction in Classification and Forecasting,” in Proceedings of the International MultiConference of Engineers and Computer Scientists 2018 (IMECS 2018), vol. II, pp. 711–714, ISBN:978-988-14048-8-6 {Ranking for "Lecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science": SJR: 0.16, ICDS = 9.5}, Hong Kong, 2018
  • 2. Sheng-Uei Guan and Wei Liu, "A Self-Modifiable Petri Net for Multimedia Synchronization", Proceedings, ISA'2000, International ICSC Congress on Intelligent Systems and Applications, #1524-058 (CD number: ISBN 3-906454-24-X), University of Wollongong, Australia, 12-15 Dec. 2000
  • 3. Sheng-Uei Guan and Shanchun Li , "An Approach to Incremental Learning with Respect to Input Attributes", Proceedings, ISA'2000, International ICSC Congress on Intelligent Systems and Applications, #1513-012 (CD number: ISBN 3-906454-24-X), University of Wollongong, Australia, 12-15 Dec. 2000.
  • 4. Sheng-Uei Guan and Xiaobiao Zhang, "From Personal Memex to Network-based Memex - The Design and Implementation of a Web-based Personal Digital Library", Proceedings, the 26th International Conference on Computers & Industrial Engineering, 248-253, Melbourne, Australia, 15-17 December 1999.
  • 5. Sheng-Uei Guan, Wei-Jen Su, Yu-Yen Huang, "The Design of a Multimedia Hyperbook - the Red Chamber Dream (紅樓夢)”, Proceedings, 1994 Pacific Workshop on Distributed Multimedia Systems, 43-50, Feb. 1994.
  • 6. Yuh-Ming Huang and Sheng-Uei Guan, "Refined Cut-Through Buffer Management Technique for Layered Protocol Stack", IT-I-10 - IT-I-12, Proceedings, 1992 Science, Engineering & Technology Seminars, Houston, U.S.A, May 1992.
  • 130+ in.ternational conference papers published, 6 representative conference papers listed.


  • 1. Sheng-Uei Guan, “Intelligent Product Brokering and Preference Tracking Services”, Encyclopedia of E-Commerce, E-Government and Mobile Commerce, edited by Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, Idea Group Publishing, 644-647, 2007.
  • 2. Sheng-Uei Guan and Syn Kiat Tan, "Pseudorandom Number Generators – The Self Programmable Cellular Automata", Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 2773, part 1, Knowledge-Based Intelligent Information and Engineering Systems, Springer-Verlag Heidelberg, 1230-1235, 2003.
  • 3. Sheng-Uei Guan, Chon Seng Ngoo and Fangming Zhu, “Intelligent Product Brokering and User Preference Tracking”, Book Chapter for the Book: Wireless Communications and Mobile Commerce, edited by Shi Nansi, Idea Group Publishing, 166-184, 2004.
  • 4. Sheng-Uei Guan, Chon Seng Ngoo and Fangming Zhu, “Intelligent Product Brokering and User Preference Tracking”, Book Chapter for the Book: Wireless Communications and Mobile Commerce, edited by Shi Nansi, Idea Group Publishing, 166-184, 2004.
  • 5. Fangming Zhu, Sheng-Uei Guan and Yang Yang, "SAFER E-Commerce: Secure Agent Fabrication, Evolution & Roaming for E-Commerce", Book Chapter for the Book: Internet Commerce and Software Agents: Cases, Technologies and Opportunities, edited by Syed Mahbubur Rahman and Mahesh Raisinghani, Idea Group Publishing, 190-206, 2001
  • 70+ book chapters published; 5 representative book chapters listed.


  • 60+ Keynote Speeches in international conferences


  • Research grants acquired from Australia, Singapore, China and completed


  • MEMBERSHIP OF 20+ EDITORIAL BOARDS
  • Honorary Chair/Conference Chair/Program Chair for 80+ international conferences


  • Computer Systems, Data Structures & Algorithms,


  • Computer Science, Digital Design Fundamentals, Multimedia & Web Technology, Computer Communication Networks,
  • Computer Systems, Data Structures, Engineering Maths, Technology Assessment, Software Engineering, Computer Science
  • Operating Systems, High Speed Networking, Technical Writing and Communication, C Language, Advanced Topics in Computer Science
  • Numerical Analysis, Computer Architecture & Organization, Distributed Systems, Computer Supported Cooperative Work,
  • Computer Communication Networks, Protocol, Performance and Routing, System Programming in Unix and C


  • IET member since 2021
  • ACM Professional member
  • Fellow, the South Asia Institute of Science and Engineering (SAISE)
  • Fellow, International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI)


  • Best conference paper award in Multi-Agents and Mobile Agents in Virtual Organizations and E-Commerce (MAMA'2000), International Computing Sciences Conventions (ICSC) Symposium on Intelligent Systems and Applications, December 11-15, 2000, University of Wollongong, Australia
  • Suzhou Talents-in-Need, 2009-2014 (苏州市高层次紧缺人才2009-2014年)
  • Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake Double Hundred Talents Award, 2011 (首届"金鸡湖双百人才", 科教领军人才)
  • Excellent Oral Presentation Award, 2012 International Conference on Information and Intelligent Computing (ICIIC 2012), Chengdu, China, Dec. 8-9, 2012
  • Best Paper Award, the 6th FTRA International Conference on Information Technology Convergence and Services (ITCS-14), Taipei, Taiwan, October 16-18, 2014
Steven Guan