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Cheng ZhangView profile

Associate Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Ubiquitous Computing
• Wearable Technology
• +4 more

Cheng Zhang is an Associate Professor (with Tenure) in Information Science and a Field Member in Computer Science at Cornell University. He directs the Smart Computer Interfaces for Future Interaction (SciFi) Lab , focusing on integrating human-centered AI with advanced sensing technologies to empower everyday wearables. Ph.D. in Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology (2020) M.S. in Software Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences B.S. in Software Engineering, Nankai University His research examines how to solicit information on and around the human body to address real-world challenges in interaction, health sensing, and activity recognition. He builds novel sensing systems spanning hardware prototypes, algorithm design (machine learning and physics-based modeling), and high-impact applications in accessibility and health. Article Trends : His recent work includes low-power, minimally intrusive wearables (e.g., EchoForce for muscle activity tracking, Ring-a-Pose for hand poses, SeamFit for smart clothing) using acoustic sensing and machine learning. The 15 most recent articles span 2025–2023, with applications in silent speech, authentication, and pose estimation. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award Ubicomp 10-Year Impact Award Best Paper Honorable Mentions at ISWC’24 and ISWC’23 Advising : Mentored Ph.D. students like Ruidong Zhang (Qualcomm Fellowship recipient) and Ke Li, with research featured in Cornell Chronicle and IEEE Spectrum .

Diane BrentariView profile

Professor

• Sign Languages
• Phonology
• Morphology
• +7 more

Dr. Diane Brentari is the Mary K. Werkman Professor of Linguistics at the University of Chicago and Co-Director of the Center for Gesture, Sign, and Language. Her research focuses on sign language grammars, phonology, and the emergence of protactile systems in DeafBlind communities. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1990) and has taught there since 2011. Key interests include modality effects on language structure, language variation, and typological comparisons. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Neubauer Collegium. Notable contributions include books like Sign Language Phonology (2019) and edited volumes on sign language creation and phonological theory. Awards include Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Research Highlights: Analysis of Nicaraguan Sign Language emergence, tactile phonology in protactile communities, and cross-modal comparisons of gesture and sign. Courses Taught: Phonological Analysis, American Deaf Community Studies, and Seminars on Multiple Verb Predicates. Dr. Brentari's lab investigates sign language morpho-phonology and its sociocultural dimensions. Recent projects explore how tactile languages utilize touch and proprioception as linguistic resources. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics with empirical studies of language emergence and variation.

• American Sign Language Education
• Deaf Culture Studies
• Art Education
• +3 more

Bo Clements is a Senior Lecturer of American Sign Language at Clemson University, located within the Department of Languages in the College of Arts and Humanities. He holds an M.S. in Arts Administration/Art Education from Florida State University (1994) and a B.A. in Advertising Design and Studio Art from Gallaudet University (1991). His professional certifications include ASLTA Master Certification. He has taught at the University of South Florida for 20 years before joining Clemson in 2017, where he currently teaches ASL courses from 1010 to 3020, including advanced topics like Classifiers and Deaf Culture Studies. Bo actively contributes to professional organizations, serving as a board director for the National American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) and as Professional Development Director for the South Carolina ASLTA (SCASLTA). He previously served as President of the Florida ASLTA. His expertise focuses on ASL pedagogy, Deaf cultural competency, and arts education. He has delivered workshops at national conferences, including the ASLTA conference in Salt Lake City. Beyond academia, he enjoys modern art, outdoor activities, and is a fervent college football fan (supporting FSU, Clemson, and Oregon).

Nina WiniarczykView profile

Lecturer

• American Sign Language
• Deaf culture
• semantics
• +3 more

Nina Winiarczyk is the American Sign Language (ASL) Coordinator and a Lecturer in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She holds a Master of Arts (MA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Gallaudet University. Education: MA and BA in ASL-related fields from Gallaudet University Her expertise focuses on ASL linguistics, including semantics, classifiers, non-manual signals, and sign production. She also engages with Deaf cultural studies, contributing to the academic and practical understanding of sign language structures and their sociocultural contexts. No specific grants, labs, or future works are detailed in the provided text. Her role as ASL Coordinator suggests administrative and instructional leadership in ASL education programs at TMU.

Elena BenedictoView profile

Professor

• Syntax
• Endangered Languages
• Sign Language Research
• +3 more

Elena Benedicto is a Professor in the Department of English at Purdue University. A faculty member since 1997, she directs the Indigenous and Endangered Languages Lab (IELLab) and contributes to interdisciplinary programs including Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Classics, and Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Ph.D. in linguistics and syntax from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Ph.D. and bachelor’s in Latin syntax from Universitat de Barcelona Her research bridges theoretical syntax and methodological/ethical issues in linguistic fieldwork, with a focus on endangered languages like Mayangna (Nicaragua) and sign languages (ASL, LSCu, LIS). Key themes include: Reference frames and spatial cognition Verbal classifier systems Participatory Action Research (PAR) Language revitalization Sociolinguistic dynamics Cultural transmission of knowledge Her publications span formal syntactic analysis and ethical frameworks for community-driven research, reflecting collaborations across institutions and Indigenous groups. She teaches courses in syntax, field methods, and Native American languages.

Natasha AbnerView profile

Associate Professor

• Sign Language
• Linguistics
• Semantics
• +7 more

Natasha Abner is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the structure of sign languages, modality effects on language properties, and the emergence of language in communities and individuals. She leads an NSF-funded project investigating sign language and gesture across deaf signers, hearing non-signers, and learners of ASL. Her work on sign language histories and relationships has appeared in Science and popular media. Dr. Abner directs the Sign Language & Multi-Modal Communication Lab and organizes the Language Across Modalities discussion group. Her research interests include psycholinguistics, morphosyntax, and the syntax-semantics interface, with fieldwork on Nicaraguan Sign Language and homesign systems. Grants and funding include National Science Foundation support for studies on sign language structure and gesture. Her lab explores how language emerges in diverse modalities, combining experimental and computational methods. She has published widely on sign language syntax, gesture analysis, and the theoretical implications of signed systems for linguistic theory. Current projects investigate the cognitive and social factors shaping grammatical development in emerging sign languages.

Kimberly BergerView profile

Lecturer

• Sign Language Linguistics
• Deaf Education
• Language Deprivation
• +3 more

Kimberly Berger serves as an Assistant Lecturer of American Sign Language within the College of Liberal Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A nationally certified interpreter with over twenty-five years of professional experience, she teaches introductory ASL courses alongside specialized subjects including ASL Linguistics, Fingerspelling, Numbering Systems, and ASL Classifiers. Her pedagogical mission centers on connecting students with the Deaf community through authentic language acquisition and cultural immersion. Berger's academic foundation was established at SIU where she discovered ASL during her bachelor's studies in 1991, sparking a lifelong dedication to Deaf culture. She advanced her expertise through a master's degree in Applied Linguistics, focusing on structural analysis, historical development, and discourse patterns within American Deaf communities. Bachelor's Degree: Completed at Southern Illinois University (1991) Master's Degree: Applied Linguistics with specialization in Deaf Studies Her research critically examines language deprivation phenomena in deaf education systems and investigates the organic emergence of Nicaraguan Sign Language as a natural linguistic experiment. Berger advocates for ASL as both a cultural lifeline and communication tool, emphasizing its role in fostering identity and community belonging for Deaf individuals while preparing students for meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. No scientific awards or honors were documented in the source materials. While Berger's nationally certified interpreter status reflects professional achievement, no specific graduate student advising relationships or research grant funding were mentioned in the available information. There is no reference to dedicated research laboratories or formal collaborative teams in the provided documentation.

Kadir GÖKGÖZView profile

Associate Professor

• Sign Language Linguistics
• Cross-Modal Typology
• Age Effects in Language Acquisition
• +7 more

Kadir GÖKGÖZ is an Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Boğaziçi University, specializing in sign language linguistics with primary focus on Turkish Sign Language (TİD) and cross-modal typological studies. His research bridges theoretical syntax, phonology, and language acquisition within deaf communities. Education: PhD in Linguistics, Purdue University (2013) MA in Linguistics, Boğaziçi University (2009) BA in Linguistics (Minor), Boğaziçi University (2006) BA in Foreign Language Education, Boğaziçi University (2006) Research Focus: Professor Gökgöz investigates age effects in language acquisition, bimodal bilingualism, classifier systems, and syntax-phonology interfaces in sign languages. His work emphasizes how modality (visual-gestural vs. spoken) shapes linguistic structure, particularly examining negation, verb morphology, and discourse strategies in TİD. Recent studies demonstrate how age of acquisition impacts morphosyntactic processing and verbal fluency in deaf signers. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2020-2024) reveal consistent focus on age-of-acquisition effects across morphosyntax, discourse, and phonology domains. Key patterns include: (1) systematic investigation of classifier predicates and verb agreement; (2) cross-modal comparisons of syntactic phenomena; (3) computational approaches to sign language annotation; and (4) experimental analyses of reference tracking and telicity marking. Scientific Recognition: Winner of Best Article Contributing to Linguistic Diversity (2022) Impact Award for Established Investigators (2022) Research Leadership: As Principal Investigator for Boğaziçi University Research Fund #14458 (2018-2020), he developed linguistics-supported preschool story interventions for deaf children with hearing parents. He served as Turkish contact for the €5M Horizon 2020 Sign-Hub project (2016-2020), preserving European sign language heritage. His lab work includes directing the Sign Language Linguistics Lab at Boğaziçi University and previously managing the Sign Language Acquisition Lab at University of Connecticut. Academic Service: Teaches undergraduate courses including Sign Language Linguistics (LING 414) and graduate seminars on Sign Language Morpho-Syntax (LING 582), mentoring numerous students in TİD research.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Education
• ASL Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• +3 more

Tasha Goodrich is a Lecturer of American Sign Language (ASL) in the Department of Languages at Clemson University's College of Arts and Humanities. She joined Clemson in 2023 and teaches ASL courses ranging from introductory to advanced levels (ASL 1010–3020). Her expertise includes ASL linguistics, classifiers, translation techniques, and fingerspelling. She holds a Master’s in Secondary Education from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Her teaching philosophy emphasizes fostering engagement with ASL’s linguistic and cultural dimensions. She highlights Clemson’s supportive community, describing the College of Arts and Humanities as a collaborative environment with strong Tiger pride. No academic awards or grants are listed in the provided materials. Her current responsibilities focus on classroom instruction and curriculum development in ASL education.

Dorothy AhnView profile

Assistant Professor

• Semantics
• Linguistics
• Formal Semantics
• +4 more

Dorothy Ahn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Rutgers University and the Principal Investigator (P.I.) of the Meaning Across Languages lab. She holds a PhD in Linguistics from Harvard University (2019) and a BA in Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania (2012). Her research focuses on cross-linguistic patterns in semantics and pragmatics, employing both formal theoretical and experimental approaches. Key areas include definiteness, demonstratives, anaphoric expressions in signed languages (e.g., ASL), plurality, logophoricity, and additive particles like either . She investigates how semantic building blocks compose to explain linguistic patterns within and across languages. Recent work includes analyses of Mandarin bridging, Korean honorifics, and the role of pointing in demonstrative reference. Her lab, Meaning Across Languages, explores semantic universals and language-specific variations. Dr. Ahn has advised/co-authored with students such as Ziling Zhu, Ariela Ye, and Vincent Czarnecki. She has presented at major conferences (WCCFL, SALT, SuB) and published in journals like Natural Language Semantics and Linguistics and Philosophy . Her research also involves experimental stimuli design, with image collections used in studies on linguistic comprehension and pragmatics.

Emily NoscheseView profile

Assistant Professor

• American Sign Language
• Sign Language Linguistics
• ASL Bilingual Curriculum
• +4 more

Emily Noschese is an Assistant Professor in the Bilingual and Bicultural Education for American Sign Language department at Wayne State University's College of Education. She specializes in American Sign Language (ASL) linguistics, curriculum development, and sign language documentation. Education: Ph.D., Linguistics, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa M.A., Linguistics, Gallaudet University B.A., American Sign Language, Gallaudet University Her research focuses on ASL syntax, word order variation, literature, and bilingual curriculum design, with a particular interest in L1/L2 language acquisition and classifier systems. Recent research trends include comparative analyses of ASL and Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) syntax, documentation of sign language structures, and bilingual pedagogical approaches. Scientific awards and honors include Outstanding Alumni Award (2022) Bilinski Dissertation Fellowship (2020-2021) Lecturer of the Year recognition (2017-2018) She has presented internationally on topics including sign language linguistics, curriculum development, and Laos sign language documentation, while actively contributing to Deaf Culture education through courses like ASE2050 and ASE3030-3040 series.

Ioannis IvrissimtzisView profile

Associate Professor

• Computer Graphics
• 3D Modeling and Processing
• Surface Reconstruction
• +7 more

Dr. Ioannis Ivrissimtzis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Durham University. He holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Thessaloniki and a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Southampton. Before joining Durham, he was a lecturer at Coventry University's Department of Creative Computing, and previously conducted research at the Max-Planck Institut für Informatik and Cambridge University's Computer Laboratory. His research focuses on computer graphics, including subdivision surfaces, polygonal mesh encoding, and statistical learning methods for surface reconstruction from scan data. Key areas of interest include 3D model security (steganography/steganalysis), statistical surface reconstruction techniques, discrete geometry, and spectral graph theory. Notable contributions include work on 3D steganalysis, mesh quantization, and geometric algorithms. He has supervised multiple postgraduate students including Elizabeth Callander and Jindi Wang. His publications span conferences like ACM SIGGRAPH and journals such as IEEE TVCG and ACM TOMCCAP.

Mojtaba Vahidi-AslView profile

Assistant Professor

• Software Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +6 more

Dr. Mojtaba Vahidi-Asl is an Assistant Professor in the Software and Information Systems department at Shahid Beheshti University's Faculty of Computer Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology (2014) and has been actively involved in executive roles including Vice-Chancellor for Research (2021–present), Head of Computer Game Laboratory (2014–present), and Head of Extended Reality Laboratory (2016–present). His research focuses on software engineering, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, and IoT applications. Notable contributions include intrusion detection techniques for cyber-physical systems, gamification in organizational training, and automated testing methodologies. His work spans software testing and debugging, with publications in journals like *Expert Systems with Applications* and *Journal of Systems and Software*. He leads initiatives in augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) and has developed frameworks for test data generation using genetic programming and machine learning. His research also addresses challenges in healthcare informatics, including emergency department performance dashboards and coronary artery disease registries. Dr. Vahidi-Asl has been involved in international programming competitions (ACM-ICPC) and maintains active labs focused on game development, extended reality, and IoT applications. His projects emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining software engineering principles with domain-specific challenges in healthcare and cybersecurity.

• ASL Linguistics
• Sign Language Syntax
• ASL Classifiers
• +3 more

Candice Hsu is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Montclair State University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She teaches introductory ASL courses and focuses on research in American Sign Language (ASL) syntax, classifiers, and linguistics. Her work emphasizes staying current with ASL linguistic trends through workshops and training. Education: B.S. in Business Administration (with minor in ASL) from Northeastern University Deaf Interpreting Training Series [Certified Deaf Interpreter, CDI] at RDI/College of the Holy Cross Awards: 2012: Salutes Champions for Disabilities Award from Passaic County Advisory Council on Disability 2021: Spotlighted by NJ DHS for disability employment advocacy Advising/Grants: No advisees or grant information provided. Labs/Teams: None explicitly mentioned.

Charles HerboldView profile

Lecturer

• American Sign Language Linguistics
• Deaf Culture
• ASL Literature
• +7 more

Charles Herbold is a Lecturer in American Sign Language at McDaniel College, where he teaches courses such as Educational and Life Experiences of Deaf People , The Deaf Narrative , and American Deaf Culture . As a Deaf individual, he brings lived experience and deep cultural insight into the classroom, fostering inclusivity and effective communication between Deaf and hearing communities. His research and teaching interests center on the linguistic structure of ASL, including grammar, syntax, and the use of facial expressions and body movements. He is particularly passionate about ASL literature, storytelling, poetry, and visual expression techniques like role-shifting and classifiers. While no publications or awards are listed, his pedagogical approach emphasizes immersive learning and cultural empathy. He mentors students to appreciate ASL not merely as a language but as a rich cultural and artistic medium that reflects the history and values of the Deaf community. Outside academia, Charles enjoys surfing, traveling to destinations like Nicaragua and the upcoming Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, reading classic literature such as A Tale of Two Cities , and eating pizza with pepperoni and pineapple.