Jaime Sánchez

Jaime Sánchez is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the Department of Computer Science, University of Chile, and serves as director of the C5 Center (Center of Computing and Communication for the Construction of Knowledge). He has held visiting positions at Columbia University and Harvard University's Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation.

His educational background includes:

• M.A. (1983) from Columbia University
• M.Sc. (1984) from Columbia University
• Ph.D. (1985) from Columbia University
• Postdoctoral research fellow at MIT Media Lab and Cornell University (1987)

Professor Sánchez pioneers multimodal interfaces for blind learners through audio-haptic systems, investigating how 3D sound and tactile feedback enhance cognitive development, spatial memory, and navigation skills. His research spans virtual environments for mental map construction, neuroplasticity in brain adaptation, and game-based learning methodologies. Projects have been implemented across 12+ countries including Chile, the United States, and France, with free software distributed to schools for blind children worldwide.

He leads the C5 Center at the University of Chile and collaborates with Harvard University on neuroimaging studies examining brain reorganization during navigation tasks. His work demonstrates how multimodal interfaces trigger compensatory cognitive enhancements in blind users, providing foundations for rehabilitation tools and educational frameworks.