Find Academic Supervisors

Panagiotis ApostolellisView profile

Associate Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Audience Interaction
• Informal Learning with Technology
• +5 more

Panagiotis Apostolellis is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Virginia (UVA), specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, and Computational Thinking. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Virginia Tech (2017) and has extensive experience in interactive systems design from his tenure at Greece’s Foundation of the Hellenic World (2000–2011). His research focuses on enhancing learning through technology in informal settings, including museums and virtual environments. Educational Background: PhD in Computer Science & Applications, Virginia Tech (2017) MSc in Human-Centered Systems, University of Sussex (1998) BSc in Electrical Engineering, TEI of Western Greece (1996) Research Interests: Audience interaction, 3D user interfaces, informal learning technologies, and HCI applications for education. His work emphasizes playful and engaging approaches to teaching computational thinking and fostering collaboration in virtual spaces. Key Contributions: Developed projects like Nature Explorer (QR-coded museum exhibits for children) and RaBit EscAPE (a board game for computational thinking). His research on digital self-control tools and audience engagement in museums has been published in venues like CHI and ACM conferences. Awards: Education Innovation Award (UVA School of Engineering, 2020 & 2022) Outstanding Research Award (Virginia Tech, 2017–2018) Teaching & Leadership: Teaches HCI and introductory CS courses at UVA. Advocates for integrating fun and play into education to enhance effectiveness. Supervises projects and collaborates on tools like e2Logos for assessing student reports and Marcus , a depression-screening chatbot.

Seyda ÖneyView profile

Researcher

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Augmented Reality
• Eye Tracking
• +3 more

Seyda Öney is a doctoral researcher at the Visualization Research Center (VISUS) of the University of Stuttgart, affiliated with the Weiskopf Group and the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC . Her work focuses on eye tracking, augmented reality, and data visualization, with an emphasis on accessibility and human-computer interaction.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mobile Computing
• Virtual Reality
• +3 more

Dr. Andreas Komninos is a researcher at the University of Patras, Greece, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, Mobile Computing, and Smart Cities. His work focuses on text entry systems, virtual reality interfaces, and context-aware mobile applications, with over 15 years of contributions to academic journals and conferences like MobileHCI, PCI, and IEEE Pervasive Computing. Research Interests: Human-Computer Interaction, Mobile Text Entry, Virtual Reality, Smart Cities, Natural Language Processing, User Experience Recent Work: LLM-driven transcription tasks, affective phrase sets for text entry evaluation, psycho-cognitive modeling of mobile interactions, and VR multimodal alerts for Industry 4.0. Publications: 15 most recent articles span topics from AI assistant personas to edge computing in tourism, with emphasis on contextual awareness and user behavior prediction. Collaborations: Regularly works with Dr. John D. Garofalakis, Dr. Ioulia Simou, and researchers across Europe on mobile systems and ambient intelligence.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• User Interface Design
• 3D Modeling Software
• +5 more

Benjamin J. Lafreniere is a researcher affiliated with the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. His work spans Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , 3D Design Software , and Extended Reality (XR) . He focuses on improving user experiences through innovative input techniques, error mediation, and adaptive interfaces.

Valentina NisiView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Interactive Digital Storytelling
• Post-Human Theories
• +3 more

Valentina Nisi is Professor of Design Thinking at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, and Affiliated Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University's HCI Institute. As a founding researcher and board vice president at the Interactive Technologies Institute (LARSyS), she bridges post-human theories, interactive storytelling, and social/environmental advocacy through games and immersive technologies. Education : BA in Fine Arts, MSc in Multimedia, PhD in Location-Based Narratives from Trinity College Dublin Her research focuses on human-computer interaction frameworks that address ecological challenges, cultural preservation, and community identity formation. Notable projects include: Echo of the Abyss - VR experience promoting marine conservation MEMEX - Heritage platform for socially excluded communities Madeira Life - Contextual service design for local traditions Recent work demonstrates expertise in transmedia narratives and location-based technologies to create socially transformative experiences. She has received significant recognition, including the MScMM 2000 Best Project Prize at Trinity College Dublin. Students : Neeta Khanuja, Beatrice (Bea) Maggipinto Email: valnisi@andrew.cmu.edu | valentina.nisi@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Nuno Jardim NunesView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Software Engineering
• Design for Sustainability
• +8 more

Nuno Jardim Nunes is a Full Professor at Tecnico, University of Lisbon, chairing the Department of Computer Engineering and leading the Institute of Interactive Technologies (ITI) at LARSYS. He is also a Visiting Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), advocating for design's role in participatory culture and sustainability. His research explores how digital technologies like AI, IoT, and mixed reality can foster inclusive and sustainable citizenship, with a focus on the Bauhaus of the Seas vision for European thematic networks. Education : Habilitation (University of Porto), PhD (University of Madeira), MEng (Instituto Superior Tecnico) Leadership : International partnership co-Director with Carnegie Mellon, Vice-Rector of University of Madeira, Head of Exact & Engineering Sciences Dept. at University of Madeira His research interests span Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Design for Sustainability, Energy Monitoring, Service Design, and Participatory Culture. He has authored over 190 peer-reviewed publications and led projects worth €25M+, including two Horizon Europe ERAChair Widening initiatives. Scientific Leadership : Organized DSV-IS, IUI, UML, CAiSE, ECCE, TEI, Interact, ITS, and EICS conferences Community Engagement : Media contributions on digital ethics and sustainability in Portuguese outlets Nuno supervises a multidisciplinary research team at Tecnico, mentoring PhD candidates in Digital Media, Computer Science, and Engineering. His scientific service includes ACM, SIGCHI, and Portuguese Board of Engineers memberships.

Ziang XiaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Natural Language Processing
• Human-AI Interaction
• +5 more

Ziang Xiao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering and a member of the Data Science and AI Institute. His research bridges human-computer interaction, natural language processing, and social psychology to understand human behavior at scale through AI systems. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (co-advised by Prof. Hari Sundaram and Prof. Karrie Karahalios), where he also earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Statistics & Computer Science under Prof. Dov Cohen. Prior to joining JHU, he was a postdoctoral researcher in the Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics group at Microsoft Research Montréal. Xiao's research focuses on three interconnected areas: AI for Social Science (using LLMs to simulate human behavior), Human-centered Model Evaluation (developing frameworks like ECBD for evidence-centered benchmark design), and Information Seeking (studying how AI systems affect information diversity). His work emphasizes democratizing technology to operationalize human intuitions about behavior and decision-making, with notable contributions to LLM evaluation metrics and ethical AI design. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward human-centered AI evaluation, with increasing focus on LLM safety, value alignment, and interdisciplinary applications across social science domains. His work consistently appears in top-tier venues including CHI, ACL, and NeurIPS, with a 2024 CHI Best Paper Award for research on LLM-powered search systems. Best Paper Award at CHI 2024 for 'Generative Echo Chamber? Effect of LLM-Powered Search Systems on Diverse Information Seeking' Multiple publications in ACM/IEEE flagship conferences (CHI, ACL, NeurIPS) Research featured in Johns Hopkins news for social robot interruption handling and chatbot bias studies Xiao actively advises doctoral students and postdocs, with current advisees including Yu Lu Liu, Nikhil Sharma, and Han Jiang. His teaching includes graduate courses on Human-Computer Interaction and Advanced HCI Research Methods. He co-leads research initiatives at the intersection of AI and social science, collaborating with the Data Science and AI Institute to develop frameworks for responsible AI deployment. Current projects examine LLM vulnerabilities in GUI agents, multilingual information disparities, and adaptive decision support systems that balance automation with user control.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Interaction Design
• +6 more

Xueliang Li is an Assistant Professor at the School of Innovation and Creative Design at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. His academic position focuses on the intersection of design, technology, and mental wellbeing, with particular emphasis on creating intelligent systems that support human emotional states and social connections. Li received his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from Hebei University of Technology, followed by a Master's degree in Design from Jiangnan University. He completed his PhD at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), where his doctoral research centered on designing smart wearables to help people, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), manage stress in everyday contexts. His research interests span Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), emotion-driven design, and design for mental wellbeing. Li adopts a Research-through-Design approach, viewing design activities as a method for advancing understanding of innovative technology applications in daily life. His work integrates perspectives from computer science, electronic engineering, mental healthcare, fashion design, and interaction design to create intelligent everyday objects that provide care and companionship. He is particularly interested in how design can cultivate emotional and psychological wellbeing through thoughtful technological interventions. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent focus on designing technologies for mental health and wellbeing, with particular emphasis on stress management, elderly care, and emotional support systems. His work demonstrates a progression from wearable stress management solutions toward broader applications in intergenerational communication and social wellbeing. The publications show strong interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, mental healthcare, and design disciplines, with a methodological emphasis on field studies and user-centered design approaches. Li maintains an active research group with the HCI-X Group (https://www.hci-xgroup.com/), where he leads projects exploring the design of intelligent systems for emotional wellbeing and human-technology partnerships. His work bridges theoretical design research with practical applications that address real-world challenges in mental health and social connection.

Tim GorichanazView profile

Academic

• Human-Centered Computing
• Library & Information Science
• Human-Centered Design
• +3 more

Tim Gorichanaz is an Associate Teaching Professor at Drexel University in the College of Computing and Informatics. He serves as Program Director for the Master's in Human–Computer Interaction and User Experience (HCI/UX), teaching courses on design and ethics in human–computer interaction. His research bridges sociotechnical design and moral philosophy , focusing on how digital systems can foster attentiveness, presence, and wisdom. Education: PhD in Information Studies (Drexel University), MA in Spanish & Latin American Linguistic, Literary and Cultural Studies (New York University), Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee), BA in Advertising and Spanish, summa cum laude (Marquette University) His work explores information experience , examining how people understand, use, and are shaped by information . This includes designing systems for self-care , meaning-making , and moral development . He also investigates connections between information literacy and humanistic values in technology. Tim is an active ultramarathon runner and classical guitar student (Grade 5 at Classical Guitar Corner). He lives with his husband and cat in West Philadelphia, where he appreciates the trees and tilted sidewalks.

Airi LampinenView profile

Associate Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
• Algorithmic Systems
• +5 more

Airi Lampinen is an Associate Professor in Human-Computer Interaction at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences , Stockholm University , where she co-leads the Stockholm Technology & Interaction Research (STIR) group. She also holds a Docent title in Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki and is a faculty member of the cross-disciplinary Digital Futures research center. Teaching: Design & Information Society course (Masters program) Supervision: Bachelors/Masters theses in HCI/CSCW Her research focuses on interpersonal and economic aspects of networked platforms , including gig work dynamics in the Global South, ethical considerations in autonomous systems, and the role of intimacy in digital technologies. Current projects include the Swedish Research Council (VR) funded Shared Uses of Intimate Technology and WASP-HS project Ethics as Enacted Through Movement . Key themes across her publications include: Platform-mediated labor relations Ethics in algorithmic systems Intimate technology use cases Care practices in digital contexts Account sharing dynamics Community-led technological initiatives Contact: airi@dsv.su.se , airi@iki.fi

Abigail C. DurrantView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Interaction Design
• Digital Health
• +7 more

Abigail C. Durrant is Professor of Interaction Design and Co-Director of Open Lab at Newcastle University's School of Computing. She serves as Co-Director for the EPSRC-funded Centre for Digital Citizens (CDC) and NortHFutures Digital Health Hub, and leads the Digital Health Theme for the N8 Centre of Excellence in Computationally Intensive Research. Durrant also sits on the Directorate for Newcastle University Centre of Research Excellence for Children and Youth, demonstrating her cross-institutional leadership in digital research initiatives. Her research program addresses critical design challenges in managing health and wellbeing through digital technologies, AI, and data systems. Durrant has extensively explored the digital representation of Self across multiple contexts including health and care, family relationships, children's play and creativity, major life transitions, memorialization, cultural visiting, media consumption, and personal identity management. Her work is grounded in participatory, co-creative and research-through-design approaches that prioritize collaboration with key stakeholders to define and conduct research that addresses real-world problems, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations and health equity issues. Durrant's recent publications reveal a strong trajectory in designing for trusted sharing of personal health data, with particular emphasis on HIV care contexts as evidenced by her 2024 AIDS Care publication. Her research consistently bridges Human-Computer Interaction with healthcare applications, focusing on privacy, security, and ethical considerations in digital health technologies. The temporal dimension of design research emerges as a consistent theme across her work, examining how design artifacts function over time and how they support or disrupt user experiences in long-term contexts. Leverhulme Early Career Fellow Professor Durrant actively supervises undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research students while teaching Interaction Design on the MSc course in HCI through Open Lab. She has led significant research projects including NortHFutures (a cross-sector consortium for responsibly designed health-tech), EPSRC INTUIT (focused on trusted sharing of personal health data for HIV care), EPSRC Playing Out with IoT (children's free play with Internet of Things), and EPSRC Digital Personhood. Her service contributions include membership on the Steering Committee for the Research Through Design Conference series and active engagement in academic service roles within HCI and Design Research fields. Durrant co-leads Open Lab, a research center specializing in Human-Computer Interaction that works closely with communities, industry, and public sector organizations to develop innovative digital solutions. Her NortHFutures initiative brings together 8 universities, health and care providers, and community organizations to address digital exclusion in the North East and North Cumbria region. She is also actively involved with the EPSRC Centre for Digital Citizens, focusing on how digital technologies impact citizenship and civic engagement.

Kyle RectorView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Accessibility
• Assistive Technology
• +2 more

Kyle Rector is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Accessibility . Her research focuses on developing technologies to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities across age groups, particularly targeting visual impairments and pain management in older adults. University : University of Iowa Department : Computer Science Academic Rank : Assistant Professor Her work spans assistive technologies , virtual reality , and voice assistant systems , emphasizing inclusive design for diverse populations including neurodivergent children and aging adults. Recent projects explore augmented reality overlays , sensor mat systems , and interactive audio interfaces for accessibility. Article Trends : Kyle's recent publications (2024-2020) focus on augmented reality for pedestrian safety , voice agent design for neurodivergent families , and accessibility in virtual reality/art description . Her research also addresses pain self-management through voice assistants and exercise technologies for visually impaired individuals. Contact : kyle-rector@uiowa.edu Personal Website

Erik WolfView profile

Researcher

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality
• +2 more

Erik Wolf is a research associate at the University of Hamburg's Department of Informatics, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. His work focuses on optimizing presence in virtual environments through studies of plausibility , co-presence , and place illusion , particularly in the Horizon Europe project 'PRESENCE'. Prior to this role, he completed his PhD at the University of Würzburg, investigating Individual-, System-, and Application-Related Factors Influencing the Perception of Virtual Humans in Virtual Environments . Education : Bachelor's and Master's in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Würzburg Visiting researcher at University of Queensland's Cognitive Engineering Research Group (2016-2017) Research Interests : XR User Experience Virtual Human Perception Body Awareness & Self-Identification in VR Digital Health Applications Presence & Immersion Scientific Contributions : Developed validated scales for virtual human plausibility Explored avatar personalization effects on body perception Investigated multimodal interaction frameworks Created tools for intelligent virtual humans development His work has been recognized with multiple awards including the DIVR Science Award 2019 and multiple Best Paper distinctions. He serves as a reviewer for leading conferences including IEEE VR, ACM CHI, and IEEE ISMAR.

Tuhin ChakrabartyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Natural Language Processing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Creativity
• +6 more

Tuhin Chakrabarty is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University. His research focuses on developing AI systems that address implicature, ambiguity, and human-aligned requirements, with applications in natural language processing and human-AI collaboration. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University Research Interests: Tuhin explores methods to enhance AI reliability through Long Form Text Generation Evaluation, Benchmarks for Reasoning and Explainability, and Human-AI Collaboration frameworks. His work bridges computational linguistics, machine learning, and creative applications of AI. Scientific Awards: Columbia Center of Artificial Intelligence & Technology (CAIT) Research Support Amazon Science Ph.D. Fellowship Computational Journalism Fellow at NYTimes R&D (2021-2022) Publications Trends: His recent work spans AI safety, creativity support, figurative language understanding, and multimodal systems. Key themes include human-AI alignment, ethical considerations, and empirical studies on generative models. Additional Contributions: Tuhin collaborates with Stony Brook’s Institute for AI-Driven Discovery and Innovation, advancing interdisciplinary research in AI applications.

Linqi LuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-AI Communication
• Health Persuasion
• Computational Social Science
• +5 more

Linqi Lu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of North Dakota. She holds her position in the College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in interdisciplinary research that bridges communication, computer science, and psychology. Her work focuses on multimodal framing, emerging AI technologies, and communication's critical role in advancing public health, social justice, and public safety. Ph.D. in Communication with minors in Computer Science and Educational Psychology University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2025 Dr. Lu's research interests span Human-AI Communication, Health Persuasion, Computational Social Science, Multimodal Framing, and Human-Computer Interaction. Her work demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, connecting communication theory with practical applications in health technology and AI. She teaches courses including Risk and Crisis Communication (COMM 451) and Principles of Professional Communication (COMM 516). Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of impactful research since 2020, with significant growth in 2022-2025. Her work primarily appears in high-impact health communication journals, with increasing focus on AI applications in communication research. Notably, she has published several 2025 articles exploring cutting-edge topics like multimodal LLaVA chatbots, visual framing in social protests, and advanced AI applications for content analysis. Through her Google Scholar profile, she has accumulated 247 citations with an h-index of 7 and i10-index of 6, indicating solid scholarly impact in her field. Dr. Lu frequently collaborates with researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including prominent scholars like Douglas McLeod and Dhavan Shah. Her research demonstrates strong connections between communication theory and practical applications in public health crises, particularly during the pandemic. She has secured research funding for projects related to health communication, risk perception, and digital interventions, though specific grant details aren't provided in the source material. Her work with interdisciplinary teams demonstrates her ability to bridge communication theory with computer science applications, particularly in developing AI tools for health communication research and interventions.