Xi Lu

Xi Lu is an Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo, holding dual appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) and the Department of Information Science (Graduate School of Education). Their research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Health Technologies, Social Computing, and Design, with emphasis on topics such as self-tracking, virtual/augmented reality applications, and culturally aware health technologies.

Dr. Lu's educational background includes a PhD in Informatics from the University of California, Irvine (2024), an MS in Human-Computer Interaction/Design from Indiana University (2019), and a BE in Industrial Engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University (2017). Their work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design, addressing societal challenges in healthcare, education, and everyday well-being.

Research Interests
Dr. Lu's research explores how technology can enhance health behaviors, social interactions, and cultural contexts. Key themes include:

• Design of health-tracking systems for chronic conditions (e.g., PCOS)
• Social VR applications for mindfulness and group therapy
• Cultural influences on persuasive technology adoption
• Conversational AI for food journaling and dietary support
• Ethical implications of AI in analyzing social behaviors

Recent Work Trends Their publications (2020–2025) reflect a focus on:

• Multi-modal AI ethics in social behavior analysis
• Cultural dimensions in health app design
• Collaborative health tracking in pregnancy
• AR/VR systems for mindfulness

Awards & Grants
No awards or grants explicitly listed in provided materials.

Labs & Teams
Affiliated with the Human-Computer Interaction Lab and Health Informatics Group at UB, though specific lab names are not explicitly stated in the text.