Andreas Kunz is a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, where he leads the Innovation Center for Virtual Reality (ICVR). His research focuses on developing user-oriented virtual and mixed reality systems tailored for industrial applications across product development processes and digital factories. Current Affiliation: ETH Zurich, Institute for Machine Tools Research Themes: Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Twin Systems Since joining ETH Zurich in 1994 and completing his habilitation in 2004 on "Interaction with the digital product model in virtual space," Kunz has pioneered VR systems for visualization, collaboration, and haptic interfaces in industrial contexts. His work combines academic research with practical implementation through industry collaborations. Recent research trends show increasing focus on real-world VR applications including: Multiuser redirected walking algorithms Attention guidance systems Industrial MTM motion transcription Smartphone-MR device integration Eye tracking for cognitive analysis Haptic interfaces for control panels The ICVR group under Kunz's leadership maintains strong industry partnerships while producing significant publications in IEEE VR, ISMAR, and ACM VRST conferences. Their work bridges theoretical VR research with practical implementations in manufacturing, assembly, and safety-critical environments.
David Evans is a Lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at Utah State University's College of Agriculture and Applied Science. A registered Landscape Architect in California with over 37 years of professional experience, he joined academia in 2012 to focus on teaching and community-engaged design. His work bridges practical landscape architecture with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing career counseling and sustainable urban design. Education: Urban Design (University of California, Berkeley, 1998), Landscape Architecture (Conway School of Landscape Design, 1976) His research explores community-engaged learning, landscape urbanism, and design-build education models. Recent work integrates eye-tracking technology with virtual environments to study human-environment interactions. Evans has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2020 NACTA Teaching Award of Merit and multiple LAEP Faculty of the Year recognitions. Key Scientific Contributions: 2024-2025 research on STI testing platforms and VR-based visual assessment tools Legacy: Founder of the Community Design Team (2012-present), emphasizing democratic dialogue in urban planning
Salvatore Digiesi is Full Professor of Industrial Mechanical Plants at the Polytechnic University of Bari, Department of Mechanics, Mathematics & Management. His research integrates sustainability, human factors and advanced manufacturing, addressing circular-economy rebound effects, life-cycle assessment, Industry 4.0 operator models, and green logistics. Education & Affiliation Full Professor (ING-IND/17) – Polytechnic University of Bari, DMMM, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy. Contact: salvatore.digiesi@poliba.it | +39 080 596 3207 Research Interests Digiesi’s work centres on sustainable manufacturing systems , spanning: Human-centric optimisation of manual tasks and ergonomic risk reduction. Life-cycle and carbon-footprint assessment of production, logistics and agri-food chains. Rebound-effect quantification in circular-economy initiatives. Smart-factory modelling, predictive maintenance, and operator 4.0 cognitive-performance metrics. Space-manufacturing concepts (EFESTO) and IoT-enabled milk-run logistics. Publication Trends Recent articles (2025-2022) reveal a shift toward human-energy-expenditure-aware optimisation, stochastic modelling of aging-workforce variability, and integrated LCA frameworks for fresh vs semi-finished food supply chains. Collaborative-robot feasibility in SMEs, BIM-VR training, and extra-terrestrial factory modularity underscore interdisciplinary breadth. Scientific Awards No awards explicitly listed in supplied sources. Advising & Grants No student names or grant details provided in the text. Labs & Teams Research is conducted within the DMMM department; specific laboratory or group names are not mentioned.
Anderson Maciel is an Associate Professor at the Technical Superior Institute (Instituto Superior Técnico) of the University of Lisbon, holding a position in the Department of Computer Engineering. He is also affiliated with the Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores: Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Lisboa (INESC-ID). His academic work focuses on the intersection of computer graphics, virtual reality, and medical applications, with particular emphasis on surgical simulation and visualization. Dr. Maciel's research spans several key areas including virtual reality for medical training, augmented reality applications in surgery, haptic interfaces, and 3D visualization techniques. His work often bridges computer science with practical medical applications, particularly in colonoscopy simulation, radiology, and surgical training systems. He leads research projects such as XAVIER (eXplainable Artificial intelligence and VIrtual reality for Enhanced Radiology), RECOVERS (REmote COllaboration in Virtual EnviRonments for Surgery), and VR Colonography, demonstrating his focus on applying immersive technologies to healthcare challenges. His recent publications (2023-2024) reveal a strong trend toward medical applications of extended reality, with significant work in virtual colonoscopy, surgical simulation, and AI-enhanced radiology. The research shows increasing integration of eye-tracking data with AI systems for medical diagnostics, alongside continued development of physics-based simulation techniques for medical procedures. His work consistently appears in top-tier venues including Computers & Graphics, IEEE VR, and ACM SIGGRAPH. Dr. Maciel leads the Visualization, Interaction and Simulation Lab, which collaborates with institutions like UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul) in Brazil. His research has practical applications in medical training, surgical planning, and healthcare education, with several projects translating into patentable technologies such as the intervention drive system comprising an umbilical (US Patent 11,920,722).
Pere Pau Vázquez Alcocer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the ViRVIG research group and the School of Informatics (FIB). With a PhD in Software from UPC (2003), he specializes in Scientific Visualization , Data Visualization , and Virtual Reality applications. His work bridges Computer Graphics with Medical Data Visualization and Molecular Visualization , emphasizing AI applications to visualization . His research spans two decades, focusing on Interactive volume rendering VR-based biomedical analysis Perceptual optimization in visualizations Urban mobility data modeling with recent publications in Computer Graphics Forum , IEEE CG&A , and arXiv on AI-driven visualization frameworks and molecular interaction techniques. His 15 most recent publications (2025-2023) demonstrate trends in AI integration for data visualization, immersive analytics for biomedical applications, and optimization of rendering techniques on mobile and VR platforms, with keywords spanning Computer Science , Neuroscience , and Urban Planning . Awarded the Best PhD thesis (2003) and Best Paper at international conferences, he has supervised 8 PhD students including Pedro Hermosilla (now Assistant Professor at TU Wien) and Jesús Díaz (now Associate Professor at Universitat de Vic). Teaching for over 20 years at UPC across five schools, he currently leads courses in Data Visualization , Scientific Visualization , and Virtual Reality .
Justus Thies is a Professor at the Technical University Darmstadt (since September 2023), leading research at the intersection of computer graphics , computer vision , and machine learning . His work focuses on real-time 3D reconstruction, tracking, and photorealistic rendering of humans and environments using commodity hardware, with applications in AR/VR , movie production , and 3D telepresence for collaborative virtual environments. Current faculty member at Technical University Darmstadt Research themes: 3D reconstruction, neural rendering, hybrid machine learning/Graphics methods Applications: AR/VR, telepresence, human-environment modeling His research emphasizes neural rendering and deep learning approaches for facial and body modeling, including projects like GEM (Gaussian Eigen Models), SynShot (synthetic prior inversion), and TeCH (text-guided clothed human reconstruction). Collaborations include institutions like Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and Google . Key trends in his recent publications include: neural Gaussian splatting for real-time avatars, diffusion models for speech/audio-driven animation, and hybrid approaches that combine classical computer graphics principles with modern machine learning techniques. These methods address challenges in generalizability , controllability , and editability of 3D representations. Notable research contributions since 2014 include advancements in monocular facial reconstruction , real-time expression transfer , and neural rendering techniques that enable 3D scene synthesis from unpaired or sparse data. His work has received significant recognition, including Face2Face featured in Communications of the ACM (2019) and multiple publications at top venues like CVPR , ECCV , and SIGGRAPH .
Professor Jacob O. Wobbrock is affiliated with the University of Washington , where he holds a position in the Information School and a courtesy role in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering . He co-founded the DUB Group and MHCI+D degree , and serves as Interim Director of the MHCI+D program. As director of the ACE Lab and Founding Co-Director Emeritus of the CREATE Center , he leads research in human-computer interaction (HCI) and accessible computing . Education : B.S. in Symbolic Systems (1998), M.S. in Computer Science (2000), Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction (2006) Research Focus : Input techniques, performance modeling, mobile and accessible computing, VR, and gesture recognition Awards : ACM Fellow (2021), CHI Academy (2019), NSF CAREER (2010), ICMI/ASSETS/UIST Lasting Impact Awards His 15 most recent articles (2023-2025) explore AI-powered accessibility solutions, tactile 3D modeling, mobile reading adaptations, gesture recognition for motor impairments, and screen reader integration. These works span human-computer interaction , artificial intelligence , biomedical data analysis , and inclusive design in both academic and industry contexts. Scientific honors include the SIGCHI Social Impact Award and AMiner Most Influential Scholar rankings. As an entrepreneur , he co-founded AnswerDash (acquired by CloudEngage) and has contributed to patents and expert witness cases. His teaching and advising have produced doctoral graduates now at institutions like Harvard and CMU, though specific student names are not listed in this profile.
Robert Ramberg is a Professor at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University, Sweden, and serves as research director at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). His academic journey began with a PhD in cognitive psychology from Stockholm University's psychology department, establishing a strong foundation for his interdisciplinary research spanning cognitive science, educational technology, and human-computer interaction. Ramberg's research interests focus on learning analytics, AI for education, and the application of emerging technologies like IoT, VR, and MR in educational contexts. He leads the Learning Analytics and AI for Education Group and the ReVisE Research Group, which explores how technologies can enhance educational practice through innovative visualizations and real-world applications. His work bridges theoretical frameworks of socio-cultural learning with practical implementations in both educational and military training environments. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on teachers' design processes, simulation training (particularly Live-Virtual-Constructive integration for flight training), and the application of learning analytics in educational settings. His research demonstrates a consistent pattern of investigating how digital tools mediate human action, collaboration, and learning across diverse contexts from primary schools to military aviation. Ramberg teaches courses including 'Cognitive Psychology in HMI' for the bachelor program in interaction design and 'Design for complex and dynamic contexts' for the master's program in design for creative and immersive technology. His current research projects include 'Use of IoT to visualize teachers' patterns of movement in the classroom' and 'L(ive), V(irtual) & C(onstructive) for efficient flight training,' reflecting his dual focus on educational technology and military simulation training. His research methodology frequently employs participatory design approaches, collaborating with teachers, students, and military personnel to develop and evaluate technology-enhanced learning environments. Ramberg maintains active collaborations with schools, industry partners across Sweden, and international research institutions, contributing to the broader field of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) through both theoretical contributions and practical implementations.
Molly Wasko is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, and Faculty Success at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Collat School of Business . With a PhD in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland, she combines academic expertise with 15+ years of leadership in high-technology startups, strategic planning, and organizational innovation. Focus on digital/social networks , open innovation models , and knowledge creation Teaches innovation, design thinking , and entrepreneurship Key roles: PI for Invention to Innovation, Co-PI for Pathways to Innovation Epicenter, Co-Director for UAB’s I-Corps and University Innovation Fellows Programs
Kazimierz Choroś is a Professor at the Department of Applied Informatics , Faculty of Information and Communication Technology , Wrocław University of Science and Technology. He held leadership roles as Deputy Director of the Institute of Informatics (2008-2014) and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Management (2016-2020). Research interests: digital image/video processing, content-based video indexing, computer animations, multimedia systems, web systems analysis, and information systems design. Organizer and Chair of the International Conference on Multimedia & Network Information Systems (MISSI 2022) Chair of Special Session WebSys 2020 at ICCCI 2020 Other activities: Since 1993, member and former President (1993-2002) of the SAGE Association (Polish Graduates of French Grandes Ecoles). Since 1982, member of the Polish Numismatic Society, author of dozens of numismatic publications, and Editor-in-Chief of Wrocławskie Zapiski Numizmatyczne (2003-present). Contact: Email: kazimierz.choros@pwr.edu.pl Phone: +48-71.320.3799 Office: Building D2, Room 201/1 Address: Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Kevin Healey serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of New Hampshire, where his work bridges media studies, religious studies, and digital ethics. His research critically examines moral frameworks in social media, virtual reality, and Silicon Valley ideologies through the lens of contemplative traditions and prophetic critique. Education: B.A. from Drew University M.A. in Media Studies/History from The New School Ph.D. in Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Professor Healey's research centers on the ethical and religious dimensions of digital culture, with particular focus on how contemplative practices can inform technology design and usage. His scholarship challenges dominant narratives in digital humanism through prophetic critique, examining tensions between technological innovation and moral reflection in areas like social media ethics, virtual reality, and algorithmic accountability. He investigates how digital platforms reshape spiritual experience and moral discourse while advocating for wisdom traditions in technological development. Analysis of his 2015-2024 publications reveals consistent exploration of digital ethics through contemplative frameworks, with recent work addressing post-pandemic technology relationships, women's voices in digital spaces, and multisensory truth-seeking methods. His scholarship demonstrates interdisciplinary reach across media studies, religious studies, and critical technology studies while maintaining focus on moral accountability in digital environments. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards listed in source material Information about graduate student advising and research grants was not provided in available materials. The source contains no details regarding laboratory affiliations, research teams, or collaborative projects, though his publications suggest engagement with interdisciplinary scholarly communities through journals like Journal of Media Ethics and Television & New Media .
Petko Yakimov is an Assistant Professor at the Design Department of New Bulgarian University. With a PhD in Digital Scenography and Character in Cinema, his academic roles include teaching undergraduate courses in Human-Machine Systems and Image Analysis. He combines technical expertise with artistic sensibilities across multiple disciplines. PhD: Digital Scenography & Character in Cinema, New Bulgarian University (2016) MSc: Film & Television Direction, New Bulgarian University (2013) MFA: Scenography, National Academy of Arts (2001) BFA: Scenography, National Academy of Arts (1996) His research focuses on digital scenography , 3D animation , and virtual reality , with recent work exploring generative art techniques in Houdini and VR applications for museum visualization. Publications span topics from deepfake technology in artistic creation to 3D compositing workflows. Professional experience includes: Technical Specialist, NBU TV Studio (2019-2022) Lecturer in Multimedia & Virtual Reality at Academy for Musical, Dance and Visual Arts "Prof. Asen Sarafiev" (2018-2022) Leadership roles in computer graphics at Bulgarian National Television (2005-2011) CGI contributions to films like "Deep Shock" and "Dragon Fighter"
Steven Malliet is a Lecturer at KU Leuven , actively contributing to the KU Leuven Institute for Digital Society (DigiSoc) . His research and teaching focus on the intersection of video game studies , digital media , and human-technology relationships , with significant work on AI-driven identity formation , media effects , and the blurring of gaming and gambling mechanics . Key Research Themes : Video game theory, ethical game design, expanded animation, and digital culture. Notable Projects : Avatopia (AI biases in identity), EXTENDED ANIMATION (VR/3D hybrid art), and Play to Pay (gaming-gambling convergence). His recent publications emphasize artistic experimentation in digital contexts, including collaborations in immersive media and critical game frameworks . While no scientific awards are highlighted in the provided text, his role as promoter in multiple funded research initiatives underscores his academic leadership. Steven Malliet does not explicitly list advisees in the given data.
Dr. Ke Li is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg, working within the Human-Computer Interaction group at the Department of Informatics. She is currently leading the development of intelligent virtual human technologies as part of the European Union-funded project PRESENCE. Her work bridges computer science, human-computer interaction, and physics applications, focusing on creating immersive experiences for complex operational environments. Dr. Li received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics from Centre College (USA) in May 2018 and her Master's degree in Optics and Photonics from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) in April 2021. She completed her PhD as a fellow of the Helmholtz Graduate School for the Structure of Matter (DASHH) in October 2024, successfully defending her dissertation entitled "Towards a Particle Accelerator Metaverse: Mixed Reality Interfaces for Operations of Complex Physics Facilities" under the supervision of Prof. Frank Steinicke, Dr. Reinhard Bacher, and Prof. Wim Leemans. Dr. Li has a strong technical background in mixed and augmented reality, with research interests spanning immersive head-mounted displays, computer graphics and vision (particularly Neural Radiance Fields and 3D Gaussian Splatting), intelligent virtual agents, and human-robot interaction. Her work often combines theoretical computer science with practical applications in scientific environments, particularly focusing on how immersive technologies can improve workflows in complex and hazardous conditions like particle accelerator facilities. Analysis of Dr. Li's publications reveals a clear progression from foundational work in mixed reality display technologies (2022-2023) toward increasingly sophisticated applications of neural rendering techniques and intelligent virtual agents (2024-2025). Her research consistently bridges the gap between theoretical computer graphics and practical applications in scientific environments, with particular emphasis on real-time performance, user experience, and seamless integration of virtual and physical elements. A notable trend is her growing focus on multimodal interaction frameworks that enable more natural communication between humans and intelligent virtual agents. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention Award for the Best Design at the Student Competition at IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), 2023 Dr. Li serves as a reviewer for various international XR conferences and journals, including IEEE ISMAR, ACM VRST, IEEE TVCG Journal, IEEE VR, and ACM SIGCHI. She has received special recognition for outstanding review work for TVCG journal and paper reviews. Her research is supported by the European Union-funded PRESENCE project and previously by the Helmholtz Graduate School for the Structure of Matter (DASHH) with Grant-No. HIDSS-0002, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Dr. Li is actively involved in the XR Lab at the University of Hamburg and has collaborated with researchers at the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY), the Cyber Interface Lab at the University of Tokyo, and the ARTANIM foundation. Her technical expertise spans Unity development, neural rendering implementation, sensor fusion techniques, and real-time system optimization for immersive applications.
Dr. Janek Walk is a postdoctoral researcher (Akademischer Rat) at the Chair of Geomorphology, Institute of Geography and Geology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. He previously held postdoctoral positions at RWTH Aachen University (2020–2022) and the University of Vienna (2023–2024). His work focuses on dryland geomorphology, Quaternary geochronology, and human-environment interactions in arid regions. Current affiliation: Chair of Geomorphology, JMU Würzburg Prior affiliations: Department of Geography and Regional Research (University of Vienna), Chair of Physical Geography (RWTH Aachen) Research interests include: Geomorphological processes in hyperarid environments (Atacama Desert, Namibia, Central Mongolia) Dating techniques (terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides, Schmidt-hammer exposure dating) Human impacts on fluvial systems, sediment budgets, and mining Integration of satellite remote sensing and UAS-based photogrammetry VR/AR applications for visualizing slow landscape processes Recent publications analyze sediment dynamics in Central European reservoirs, alluvial fan evolution in the Atacama Desert, and dune movement on the Tibetan Plateau. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations involving geochemistry, sedimentology, and climate science. Scientific awards include: Univie Teaching Award 2025 Borchers Badge (RWTH Aachen, 2021) Dissertation Award (German Society for Geomorphology, 2020) Friedrich-Wilhelm Award (RWTH Aachen, 2018) Springorum Commemorative Coin (RWTH Aachen, 2017) He has contributed to projects like SFB 1211 (transport/deposition studies) and WUEDIVE (XR for geomorphological teaching). His methodological expertise includes GIS, remote sensing, terrestrial photogrammetry, and geochemical analysis.
