Edward Lank

Edward Lank was a Professor at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, and held an Inria International Research Chair at Inria Lille-Nord Europe (2019–2023). His research focused on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including intelligent user interfaces, mobile/multi-touch interaction, gesture recognition, and mathematical software design. He earned a BSc from the University of Prince Edward Island and a PhD from Queen's University.

Research Highlights:

• Pioneered work on gesture-based interaction, including MathBrush for mathematical expression recognition.
• Explored large-display interaction, powerwall design, and mass user engagement with public displays.
• Investigated kinematics of user input, endpoint prediction, and mode inference in interfaces.
• Collaborated on persuasive technology for energy demand management and health-related serious games.

Awards & Recognition:

• National Science Foundation Career Award (2004)
• Best of CHI Nominee (2008)
• Inria International Research Chair (2019–2023)

Grants & Funding: Supported by Google, NSERC, GRAND NCE, and the ORF Program. His research addressed challenges in wearable tech, VR/AR, and sustainable HCI practices.

Legacy: Edward Lank passed away on March 21, 2022. His contributions to HCI, including foundational work on gesture recognition and user-centered design, continue to influence the field. His courses, such as CS 889 (HCI Seminar) and CS 449 (HCI Fundamentals), emphasized user-centered design and empirical methods.